NML

Question 1

What is natural moral law?

Answer 1

• Motivated by synderesis (Do good + avoid evil)
• Seek what is good + avoid evil
• Built on primary precepts, listed fundamental goods to which all humans are dispose (inclined)
• Deontological

Question 2

Aquinas

Answer 2

Believed that;
God is :
immutable (unchanging over time or unable to be changed) + thus consistent.
-absolutely good, reflected in the goodness of creation.
- Everything has a final cause (goal) EG: final cause of humanity is eudaimonia.
-final cause = beatific vision ( Self-communication of God to humanity.
-Challenged view that to be a good moral Christian, simply had to follow orders of God as laid out by the Bible + church.

Question 3

PRIMARY PRECEPTS

Answer 3

• Absolutely + universally binding
• Originally Aquinas’ list had 3, which were further sub-divided into 5 by later manualists ( 17th century writers of manuals for training clergy.)
• Worship God
• Ordered society
• Reproduce
• Learn
• Defend life

Question 4

Define virtue

Answer 4

A quality or disposition in a person held to be of moral value

Question 5

Secondary precepts

Answer 5

• Rules showing how humans apply primary precepts to lives.
• The use of artificial contraception is wrong, it hinders the fulfilment of reproduction, which is the ‘telos’ of sex.
• Flexible in their application : interpreted “law” as “principle” rather than “rule” - thus in severe cases, secondary principle may vary
• Manualism: 17th century Catholic movement secondary precepts compiled in “manuals” Provided wider guidance on specific ethical issues, yet made it more deontological.

Question 6

Real + good apparent

Answer 6

d

Question 7

The Principle of the double effect

Answer 7

• When someone does an action which precepts define as good, but secondary result breaks precept.
• Example; removing a Fallopian tube that has an ectopic pregnancy, 1st saving mothers life, 2nd death of a baby.
• Aquinas accepted law couldn’t be followed at all times. As long as the 1st action was good, (following precepts) it is acceptable to Aquinas.

Question 8

Thomist

Answer 8

s

Question 9

Proportionalism

Answer 9

• Hoose + Mc Cormick came up with this in 20th c.
• Agrees with syderesis principle + thinks primary precepts lead frame work for ethics.
• However, scholars accept NML can lead to unloving circumstance, because hard-line deontological approach, thus suggest it is right to break laws to achieve most loving outcome.
• Recommend “ontic goods” such as love, justice + charity to morally guide behaviour.

Question 10

Strengths of principle of double effect

Answer 10

• Betters NML, allows people to adapt to extreme circumstances.
• Resolves problems with deontology: action is always right or wrong, may cause people to do harm to others.
• _people can respond to situations good intention + bad secondary consequence.

Question 11

challenges to principle of the double effect

Answer 11

• Doesn’t matter intention, if bad consequence come about then action is still morally wrong.
• People, that argue consequences of action show if it is right or wrong reject D.E as bad consequence still happened.
• problem judging the “intention” of an action: no one knows if someone’s intention is good or bad- intention could be to bring about bad effect whole time.
• BARTH- 20th century theologian challenges Aquinas’ over emphasis on reason. Humans too corrupt to be trusted to reason, emphasises human status at sinful following the fall. Humans should base moral decision ion reveal action of God, revealed in holy scripture + doctrine.

Question 12

Strengths of NML

Answer 12

• Helps establish universal system as it relies on reason which everyone has.
  -Precepts are commonly accepted by everyone; Everyone wants to preserve life, live in society.
• Supports human rights + equality, important in our society.
  -Secondary precepts are day-to-day guide on what’s right + wrong.
  -Related to human nature, how we think + feel.
  Absolute; appealing for those with deep Christian faith-
  Pope Benedict criticised “post modern”, secular society , lost all sense of objective values. Called prevailing ethic of modern world “dictatorship of relativism”

Question 13

NML challenges

Answer 13

• Doesnt seem too be universal- cultures have different standards eg: Native American culture old/young who cant make it through the winter are killed or left to die.
• Outdated; Moral system claiming homosexual “unnatural” is disregarded.
• Aquinas could have gotten it wrong; eg; Sexual organs = primary for pleasure + secondary for procreating.
• Too simplistic; we have science + psychology we know its much more complex.

Question 14

Quotes for NML;

Answer 14

Exodus; “do not kill”

Leviticus 24: “ Whoever takes a human life shall surely be put to death”