Aquinas' Natural Law

Question 0

Reason and Bible?

Answer 0

Not conflict, if apply reason correctly both will reach the same conclusion

Question 1

Humans design?

Answer 1

Designed by God to reflect his image, to pursue perfection

Question 2

Primary Precepts?

Answer 2

To learn
To worship
To preserve life
To reproduce 
To live harmoniously

Question 3

Synderesis?

Answer 3

Using God-given reason to work out how best to fulfil primary precepts

Question 4

Secondary precepts?

Answer 4

The conclusions we come to using synderesis that help fulfil the primary precepts

Question 5

Apparent good?

Answer 5

Human nature to avoid evil and pursue good
Wrongly applied reason
Eg. Man having affair, not actually in love if applied reason properly

Question 6

Sinner?

Answer 6

Fallen short of purpose, but not evil

Question 7

Double effect?

Answer 7

Good intentions but has an unfortunate by-product

Eg. Hysterectomy- save woman’s life, death of foetus (apply to primary precepts!)

Question 8

Proportionalism?

Answer 8

Realise always wrong, sometimes necessary
Eg. Teen raped
Weak sanctity of life argument

Question 9

Hierarchy of law?

Answer 9

Eternal law (cannot understand, only God knows)
Divine law (revealed to man - bible)
Natural law - equal with above (human nature and reason)
State law (put in place by humans, can be overrun if following divine law)

Question 10

Strength 1?

Answer 10

Based on natural order to world, if follow will feel satisfied and fulfilled.

Question 11

Strength 2?

Answer 11

Telos is to reflect image of God, gives purpose to morality

Question 12

Strength 3?

Answer 12

Natural behaviour required is common to all cultures (to fulfil precepts)

Question 13

Strength 4?

Answer 13

Allows us to use reason and work out what is right for ourselves, not expected to blindly follow bible teachings

Question 14

Strength 5?

Answer 14

Upholds sanctity of life as have purpose….respect one another

Question 15

Weakness 1?

Answer 15

Presupposes God as designer, not everyone believes this - conflict

Question 16

Weakness 2?

Answer 16

Presupposes human nature, doesn’t take into account variation
Eg. Homosexuals natural attracted to same sex even thought not able to reproduce

Question 17

Weakness 3?

Answer 17

Moore- naturalistic fallacy, leap inofic from ‘is’ to ‘ought’
Eg. Contraception is interfering with reproduction so ought to use

Question 18

Weakness 4?

Answer 18

Singer- sanctity of life cause more suffering

Eg. Not allow older person in great suffering to be euthanised as still have purpose until death