NL is helpful with moral decision making

Question 1

What is Natural Law / where does it come from

Answer 1

Natural law refers to laws of morality ascertainable through human reason

Question 2

For NL (Introduction)

Answer 2

Absolutist deontological approach, which follows Gods law

Question 3

Against NL (Introduction)

Answer 3

Relativist would disagree and argue that morality needs to be relativised to each circumstance

Question 4

Position (Introduction)

Answer 4

Not helpful as absolutist approach not helpful in a contingent world

Question 5

Section 1 Point/ theme

(Eudaimonia/telos)

Answer 5

Idea of Eudaimonia and Telos – is the fundamental basics of the theory sound to help an individual make moral decisions.

Question 6

Section 1: AO1

(Eudaimonia/telos)

Answer 6

Based on the Aristotelian theory that goodness is linked to telos (final purpose all contingent things are working towards) Fulfilling the human telos achieves eudaimonia (flourishing); for humans, that is a life of reason with virtue, where humans use their practical wisdom (phronesis) to discern good.
Aquinas developed this but believed Eudaimonia can only be achieved after death with God (beatific vision)

Question 7

Section 1: AO2 For

(Eudaimonia/telos)

Answer 7

Emphasis on Eudaimonia creates a community -orientated approach towards ethics
-Helpful as moral decisions affect others and don’t just concern the individual

Question 8

Section 1: AO2 against

(Eudaimonia/telos)

Answer 8

1) Not every action ends in causing us to flourish as human beings. There’s good sex and bad sex (even if the end is babies; sex can be exploitative, or violent or selfish)
-NML not helpful as bases teachings off of a higher good all humans are working towards when there is no moral good and humans are just intrinsically selfish

2) Cyclical argument: what is the good? The good is what people pursue. What do people pursue? People pursue the good.
- Does not fully explain what good is and how to achieve it only that good is something that we are all pursuing. Not helpful as people don’t know what the good is so how can they apply it to moral dilemmas.

Question 9

Section 1: AO2 conclusion

(Eudaimonia/telos)

Answer 9

Weaknesses overcome the strengths. Although the idea of telos being interconnected with polis seems moral as morality not based on individual, which seems inherently selfish however the idea of Eudaimonia and good is not fully explained. This is not helpful in moral judgement as if people don’t know what the good is how can they apply it to moral dilemmas and reach Eudaimonia?

Question 10

Section 2: Theme

Answer 10

Primary Precepts / Synderesis = does this help with Moral decisions?

Question 11

Section 2: AO1

(Primary precepts)

Answer 11

Main principle that humans tend to do good and avoid evil and this is where all the other rules flow

primary precepts from God: 1. preservation 2. reproduction 3. education 4. worship 5. Order
using the virtue of practical wisdom (phronesis) can apply the primary precepts to different situations.

Secondary Precepts = derived from the primary precepts through ‘proximate convulsions of reason’

Question 12

Section 2: AO2 For

(Primary precepts)

Answer 12

1) Flexible – as although primary precepts are unchanging secondary precepts can change dependent on worldview.
-Can adapt itself to some degree to different situations. Helpful as whilst still aligned with Gods law can be reinterpreted within different contexts and cultures

2) Nuremburg Trials
Prosecution had to rely on Natural Law theory as most of the actions of the defendants were recognized as being legal under the judicial system of the Third Reich
-Completely legalistic approach with no reason can have immoral outcomes and justify mass genocide. Proof that by using NML here = justice and helpful in decisions

Question 13

Section 2: AO2 Against

(Primary precepts)

Answer 13

1) Barth/ Nieblur humans “fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) and born into sin. Always tempted to do evil “For I do not know why I do bad when I do good” so won’t be able to discern the good and Gods eternal law
-Need strict adherence to the Bible to make moral decisions and can’t just rely on reason as too flawed to interpret God’s law for ourselves. Not helpful

2) Feminists: NML has reinforced gender roles and subjected women to male domination under the argument that nature predetermines gender roles (primary precept of Reproduction)
- Not helpful in moral decisions as advocates for a society in which not all are equal

3) Catholic Church condemns contraception as goes against the Primary precept of the Preservation of life and against the purpose( or telos) of the sexual facility
-Does not allow people to be fully rational and decide what to do with their bodies. Seems unethical to take away human autonomy.

Question 14

Section 2: AO2 Conclusion

(Primary precepts)

Answer 14

Whilst in some situations such as the Nuremberg trials NML has been helpful = completely judicial approach without human reason could justify immoral acts i.e. mass genocide of the Jews. However NML not helpful as has also used to justify gender inequality and does not recognise how humans are inherently flawed and using reason to help with decision making will thus lead to immoral outcomes.

Question 15

Section 3: theme

Answer 15

Apply NML to a situation – evaluate its success in making moral decisions

Question 16

Section 3: AO1

(Euthanasia)

Answer 16

NML: Upholds Sanctity of Life and primary precept of Preservation of Life

Question 17

Section 3: AO2 for

(Euthanasia)

Answer 17

1) Hippocratic Oath that Doctors take
-Helpful as does not place the decision making on the Doctors if there is one absolute that all should follow

2) The doctrine of Double effect: though administering a drug may shorten their life it is acceptable provided the intention is to relieve pain and the shortening of life is an unintended secondary effect
-Helpful as offers clear absolute rules still in ligh with Gods laws whilst also allowing some flexibility so people are not left to suffer

Question 18

Section 3: AO2 against

(Euthanasia)

Answer 18

1) Pointless to help someone who can’t overcome disease upholding preservation of life if someone is suffering seems immoral and pointless
-NML not helpful

2)Ambiguous
Can never no someone’s true intentions and whether there actions were moral, which makes moral decision making or judgement difficult

Question 19

Section 3: AO2 conclusion

(Euthanasia)

Answer 19

When applied to Euthanasia NML although offers clear guidelines is unhelpful as a persons true intentions can never be known, thus it is unhelpful for moral decision making. However, perhaps this highlights a flaw in the system as a deontological morality is only really concerned with the actions as they can be observed.