Natural Law Flashcards
Deontological definition?
from Latin ‘duty’. Focused on the intrinsic rightness and wrongness of actions
Telos definition?
The end or purpose of something
- comes from Aristotle
Is Natural Law teleological or deontological?
Deontological, based on behaviour according to given laws or moral rules, existing independently of societies or systems
Primary precepts?
Most important rules in life.
- Protect innocent life, Reproduce, Live in an ordered community, Education, Believe in God
Secondary precepts definition?
Laws which follow from primary precepts
Syneresis definition?
Follow good and avoid evil. A Rule all precepts follow.
- overly optimistic of human nature?
Practical Reason Vs. Reason definition?
Reason
Thinking logically, and a moral sense.
Not enough to know what is reasonable, have to act on it.
Practical Reason
Tool which makes moral decisions
Eudaimonia definition?
Deeply fulfilled in a fundamental way. An ultimate end in life which all other actions should lead towards.
What is the Mean + who developed it + eg ?
Aristotle
- Doing right involves balance between extremes
- Helps to have role models to achieve golden ratios
e.g. Deficiency in bravery is cowardice, excess of bravery is foolhardy
Who developed Natural law
Aquinas 13th Century
What quote did Aquinas use to describe natural law?
“God’s order set within the parameters of the universe”
What are the 2 ways we can know Natural Law?
- Through revelation –> e.g. Pauls letters to the romans
God gave us two sets of laws
i) Torah for Jews
ii) Natural Law for Gentiles - Through human reason
- Moral life lived according to reason
Reason tells us ultimate purpose / telos of life is fellowship with God
What are Aquinas’ views on free acts?
- Believes proper moral acts are free acts, that come from a freely acting rational person.
Does Aquinas think we can reach telos in this world?
- No
Only satisfied when we achieve telos, but telos cannot be found in this world, only in God
Aquinas on Intention (how can emotion effect decisions)
Aquinas not only concerned about act, but reason for the act.
- A good deed done for a selfish reason means good exterior act is compromised by a bad interior act
- However, cannot do bad for good reason
Good intentions could lead u astray, emotions confuse moral decision