Strengths and Weaknesses Flashcards
Rational
Natural law uses practical reason, it is a common-sense approach - we can all reason right.
Counter: Too simplistic - humans do not have single fixed ‘human nature’. Satre says we make ourselves overtime - ‘existence proceeds essence.’
God
Doesn’t require belief in God, as it is based on empirical observations of our nature. Natural law fits with religious and secular world view.
Counter: Requires belief in God, as it relies on a God-given purpose. Natural law, in reality, is too theistic. It is the backbone of the Catholic and Islamic ethics.
Objective
Natural law gives us rules that are true independently of our individual thoughts and desires. There is a moral order and an independent standard.
Counter: Outcomes - leads to immoral outcomes e.g. not allowing contraception (secondary precept in Catholic church) led to spread of AIDS and overpopulation in Africa.
Purpose
The world has meaning, purpose and values. A human life is purposive. Purposive people, all with a telos, all aiming for something.
Counter: The idea of ‘purpose’ in nature can be explained by science (evolution and natural selection). The universe is not purposive - Bertram Russel: ‘the universe is a brute fact’.
Flexible
Allows for secondary precepts to vary according to culture, as they are the practical working out of the universal primary precepts. Enables the sue of prudence in real life situations. The core principles are unchanging.
Counter: Cultural relativism - Neilson questions the unchanging nature of Primary Precepts in Natural Law, using Cultural Relativism. Gareth Moore argues our nature is a product of culture and society. Are the primary precepts unchanging? No. Our nature is affected by our environment.
Double Effect
Gets around problems of conflicting secondary precepts. Ability to use prudence in real life situations. Recognises the importance of intention. Double effect makes sense e.g. killing in self defence is justified.
Counter: brings in consequentialism through the back door. You are allowed to do some terrible things because of double effect, and at other times you can’t do really helpful things i.e. double effect is playing with words.
Instinctive
Natural law’s rules are in line with our instincts and intuitions.
Counter: Agape - Jesus was opposed to legalism, and broke rules in order to do the most loving thing. Natural Law is too legalistic.
Relates to secular and religious views
Counter: The Catholic church has made Natural Law too legalistic e.g. abortion, contraception
