NML Flashcards

Question

Aquinas - suicide

Answer 1

-According to Aquinas, then, the most fearsome evil is not pain or disability, but death itself. -Suicide (he argues) is contrary to the natural inclination of any life form to stay alive; it injures the community as a whole; and life is God's gift to humans, so is subject to his power.

Answer 2

It breaks Sanctity of Life, which is reveled to humans through scripture.

Answer 3

It breaks order in society. For instance, many governments share the fear that if we legalized these acts, they would open the way to more abusive practices (slippery slope argument).

Answer 4

1980 Declaration on Euthanasia is the Catholic Church’s official document about euthanasia and reinforces Aquinas’ judgements. Euthanasia and assisted suicide ignore the value of suffering for salvation (Christ on the cross). However, the process of dying CAN be allowed to happen without medical intervention.

Answer 5

Aquinas believed that humans possess reason to discern right from wrong. In the case of euthanasia, NML encourages individuals to use their reason to find alternative solutions to alleviate suffering without resorting to euthanasia.

Answer 6

-In NML, real goods are those things or actions that align with the primary precepts and apparent goods, on the other hand, are things or actions that may seem good on the surface but do not align with the primary precepts or the objective moral order. -Euthanasia may be seen as an apparent good because it appears to alleviate suffering for a terminally ill individual. -However, from the perspective of NML, it is considered an apparent good that goes against the real good of preserving life.

Answer 7

-Emphasis on the Sanctity of Life: NML places a strong emphasis on the sanctity of human life, considering it a foundational principle. -This perspective can be a strength in the context of euthanasia because it maintains a clear, consistent, and absolute prohibition against intentionally taking human life. -Moral Clarity: NML provides a clear and unambiguous moral stance against euthanasia, with no room for human error.

Answer 8

-Rigidity and Lack of Flexibility: It does not provide room for exceptions, even in cases of extreme suffering. This can be seen as a weakness when dealing with complex end-of-life situations where suffering is intense. -Lack of Compassion: NML may not show a compassionate stance towards those in immense suffering. -Reliance on Religious l Assumptions: NML is deeply rooted in religious assumptions about the nature of human beings and their purpose. This can be a weakness in a pluralistic society where not everyone shares religious beliefs, meaning that Natural Moral Law will not be a useful guide for all people.

Answer 9

Abortion is typically considered an intrinsically evil act, meaning it is wrong in itself and can't be justified by good consequences. This is because it directly contradicts the primary precepts of preserving life and reproduction.

Answer 10

-Some scholars within the Natural Moral Law tradition, like Joseph F. Fletcher, argue for graded absolutism. -This allows for exceptions in extreme cases, such as when the mother's life is in danger, to prevent a greater evil. -However, this is a controversial interpretation and not universally accepted within Natural Moral Law.

Answer 11

-Clear Moral Foundation: Natural Moral Law provides a clear and unambiguous stance against abortion by emphasizing the sanctity of human life from conception. This clarity can be appealing to those who believe that life begins at conception and should be protected.

Answer 12

-Rigidity: Natural Moral Law's absolute prohibition of abortion can be criticized for its rigidity, especially when dealing with complex situations. For instance, it may not provide guidance on how to address cases of rape, incest, or when the mother's life is at risk, where competing moral principles or concerns are at play. -Limited Empirical Support: The concept of "natural purposes" on which Natural Moral Law is based may not be universally agreed upon, particularly in the context of early-stage embryos. The theory's reliance on these premises can be questioned in the abortion debate.

Answer 13

-Rigidity: Natural Moral Law can be seen as rigid and dogmatic, especially when dealing with complex bioethical issues. It may not readily adapt to advancements in science and technology, such as in vitro fertilization or genetic modification. -Lack of Nuance: may lack the nuance to address the nuances of cases involving severe genetic diseases or medical conditions where genetic modification could alleviate suffering without violating the sanctity of life. -Balancing Conflicting Values: In the context of designer babies, it can struggle to balance the preservation of life with the autonomy and well-being of individuals. It may not adequately address cases where genetic modifications are aimed at preventing debilitating genetic conditions.

Answer 14

-Ethical Absolutism: Natural Moral Law takes an absolutist stance on certain moral principles, such as the prohibition against killing innocent human beings. -This stance can provide a strong ethical foundation for arguing against capital punishment, especially in cases where the guilt of the accused is in doubt.

Answer 15

-Ethical Absolutism: Natural Moral Law takes an absolutist stance on certain moral principles, such as the prohibition against killing innocent human beings. -This stance can provide a strong ethical foundation for arguing against capital punishment, especially in cases where the guilt of the accused is in doubt.

Answer 16

-Inconsistent teachings: NML makes it clear that the preservation of life is a key primary precept, so it is contradictory for Capital Punishment to be allowed, to bring order to society. -Surely life in prison with rehabilitation could achieve the same effect of orderly society?