NML (Detailed) Flashcards
deontological
An approach in ethics in which the rightfulness or wrongfulness of an act is judged by how it conforms to duties rules and obligations.
teleological
theory of which the rightness of an act is determined by the end result. Moral goodness is rooted in the consequences of our actions.
eudaimonia
ultimate happiness through union with God.
character based
Aquinas adopted ideas from Aristotle, he believed following the Natural Law could also help develop virtuous character and he focused on the four Cardinal virtues and the three Theological virtues. Being virtuous allows you to reach ‘real’ rather than ‘apparent’ goods.
deductive
if statements are true the conclusion must be true
a priori
something that can be known without sense experience.
absolute rules
must be obeyed, no exception or excemption to primary precepts.
synderesis
innate principle in moral consciousness of every person which directs us to good and avoids evil.
If we apply our god given reason it will lead to right actions.
what is moral obligation
a duty we are ought to perform but not legally bound to fulfil
Beatific vision
Ultimate direct self communication of god to humanity 
give an example of a Deontological statement
It is always wrong to kill no matter what the consequences
Telos
Purpose or end goal
What is natural moral law
A theory that proposes the existence of a law whose content is set by nature. derive from God that therefore has validity everywhere. 
What type of theory is NML
Deductive a priori theory
Starts with primary principles and from these the right course of action in a particular situation can be deduced
How is it a deontological system
Absolute rules
Looking at the intent behind an action in the nature of the act itself not at outcomes
Who are the two biblical backgrounds to study for natural moral law
The stoics
Aristotle
Who were the Stoics
A group of Greek philosophers who came after Aristotle and argue that the universe has a basic design on purpose which human morality should work in harmony with
What did the ancient Stoics emphasise
The importance of logos (Word of God) or rationality that governs the world sees human nature is part of one natural order
Link the Stoics to reason and gods nature
They believe that all humans have a divine spark within them that helps them to live according to gods will
Natural law a law reason
Quote Saint Paul wrote in the letter to the Romans
“Written in the hearts “
Basic beliefs by Aristotle
Natural justice not always the same as law is independent and applies to everyone no matter where they live
Everything has a purpose (TELOS) and supreme good is found when it fulfils purpose.
What did Aristotle believed eudaimonia was
The supreme good for humans
Means happiness and the final goal for humans to reach after living a life of reason
What is human flourishing
Live in life of reason according to virtue
According to Aristotle what Telos/function is peculiar to the life of plants
Life of nutrition and growth
According to Aristotle what Telos function is peculiar to the life of animals
Life of perception
According to Aristotle what telos/function distinguishes human beings
Reasoning
Eudaimonia
Human flourishing life of reason in accordance to virtue
Who was Aquinas
13th century catholic priest and theologian
Who was Aquinas influence by
Aristotle
Basic beliefs of Aquinas and natural moral law
Everything has a purpose
Faith must be grounded by reason
To for fill our purpose we have a desire to do good
To follow NML you don’t need a belief in God
God given reason
The belief that God has given humans the ability to cognitively process (think about) the difference between right and wrong
What actually is the natural moral law theory
But everything has a purpose and this purpose can be known through reason
As a result fulfilling the purpose of our design is the only good for humans
What are the four causes
The material cause The efficient cause The formal cause The final cause 
What is the material cause
The way things come to be
For example a statue made of stone
What is the efficient cause
What gets things done
E.g. builder causes a building
What is the formal cause
The definition of a thing
For example facts and descriptions
What is the final cause
The goal or purpose
E.g. staying healthy by walking
What are the fourfold divisions of law
Eternal law
Divine law
Natural law
Human law
What is eternal law
Only God knows this law
identical to his mind
Gods rational purpose and plan of all things
Unchanging and eternal
What is human law
General laws devised by human reason
Should not contradict NML
differs from country to country
What is divine law
Old and new testament of bible
Appears historically specially Through revelation
Old law - Ten Commandments
New law - Jesus teachings
Four claims to NML
Unchanging principles that exist in nature that define what is right and good
Accessible to all men and discovered by right use of reason
Apply to all men in all circumstances
Man made laws are just and authoritative as long as they are derivable from the principle of law in nature
Aquinas’ quote linked to synderesis rule and explain
Good is to be perused and evil is to be avoided
Directs our conscience if followed will lead to right actions
Our inclination draws humans like a magnet towards the highest goods (perfection)
Why does NML actually exist
To help humans direct their actions to do the right thing so they may live with God in the afterlife after reaching their telos
What is Aquinas’ basic precept
That good is to be done and perused and evil is to be avoided (synderesis rule)
What does Aquinas mean when he says we should not be enslaved by non rational desires
Use our free will the correct way and not for apparent goods
We are emotive beings we should put that aside to focus on precepts. They guide us.
Quote on moral life and reason
To disparage the dictate of reason is equivalent to condemning the command of god.
explain Reason tell us to do good and avoid evil
Moral life lived accordingly to reason
Humans have rational will
Ultimate goal is Our heavenly home and union with God and earthly life is a taste of heavenly happiness
What are the five primary precepts
To worship God Ordered society To reproduce To educate the young The preservation of life
What is the humans purpose
Human flourishing and god like perfection - telos
union with God - beatific bison
“Man needs to be directed to his supernatural end and a higher way”
Aquinas on sexuality and efficient and final cause
An efficient cause - sex for enjoyment
Final cause - procreation
Therefore sec is only good if procreation is possible
What did Aquinas say mans first rule was
Self preservation
Why are they called primary?
Idea of basic key natural and foundation laws
The laws that come first and help us to discover the secondary precepts
True to everybody without exception
Define primary precepts
Acts that accord with the main human purpose are good
The five primary precepts can be made to make deontological rules
What are the secondary precepts
Rulings about things that we should or shouldn’t do because they uphold or fail to uphold the primary precepts they can be flexible in how they are applied