NML

Question 1

what is NML?

Answer 1

a moral code towards which humans naturally incline, destiny, we fulfill the purposes we were designed for (Logos)
purpose of human life is fellowship with god according to aquinas

Question 2

who developed NML

Answer 2

thomas aquinas

Question 3

what are the 5 primary precepts of NML

Answer 3

• worship god
• order in society
• reproduce to continue species
• learn (educate children)
• preserve innocent life

Question 4

what are secondary precepts

Answer 4

smaller, relativist actions to achieve primary precepts.
e.g. going to church in order to worship god, becoming doctor to preserve life etc.

Question 5

quote from aquinas (synderesis rule)

Answer 5

‘This therefore is the principle of the law: that good must be done and evil avoided’

synderesis rule: do good and avoid evil

Question 6

how is there biblical influence on NML

Answer 6

• NML comexs from common reason and the bible
• no excuse for sinful behaviour because everyone has access to the world around us

Question 7

name the 4 kinds of law

Answer 7

eternal, divine, natural, and human

Question 8

what is natural law

Answer 8

the moral code god created in human nature, discovered by human reason

Question 9

what is human law

Answer 9

laws humans made, should be based on natural and divine law. gains authority by deriving from natural an divine law, which themselves derive authority from god’s nature

Question 10

what are real goods

Answer 10

• what is actually best, in line with primary precepts
• e.g. woman pregnant after being raped might want abortion, but this goes against preserving innocent life

Question 11

what are apparent goods

Answer 11

• seems good. reason tells us what we desire - leads us to goal of perfection which is image of god.
• an apparent good = a goal pursued that is not good in line with NML
• appeared to be god, but not upon further inspection

Question 12

what is the principle of double effect

Answer 12

• an action can have both good and bad effects. hwr, both must be good. not acceptable to do bad act even if outcomes are good e.g. robin hood (intention and act itself)

Question 13

4 conditions of the principle of double effect in NML

Answer 13

• nature of the act - action must be either morally good or indifferent
• the means - end - bad effect must not be the means by which the good effect is achieved
• right intention - intention must only be to achieve the good effect
• proportionality - good effect must be at least in equivalence in importance to the bad effect

Question 14

what do hoose and janssens say about proportionalism

Answer 14

• modern day versions of NML are too inflexible
• casuistry - case-based
• let people make own real decisions
• importance of intention
• issues w catholic church making decisions for people
• better to have free, responsible adults
• hoose –> no two situations are identical –> nothing is entirely positive or negative

Question 15

PROS of NML

Answer 15

• absolute rules to follow (however with exceptions)
• achieves aquinas’ purpose of fellowship with god
• based on god’s law, therefore god’s word
• some take precedence over others –> principle of double effect
• allows for justice to take place

Question 16

CONS of NML

Answer 16

• biblical influence could be outdated - religious texts don’t deal with modern issues –> primary precepts invalid
• situations are complex - need to consider the circumstances, not straightforward, confusing exceptions, don’t have ability to develop as a moral agent
• justice for whom? e.g. abortion, same-sex relationships, euthanasia
• secularisation or alternate religion
• some primary precepts are conflicting - subjective as to which precepts