Natural law Flashcards
Who made natural law?
Thomas Aquinas - Rationalist
What is the synderis rule?
‘Do good, avoid evil’
What did Aquinas believe about the synderesis rule?
All humans innately followed this rule
What are the four laws?
Eternal law
Divine law
Natural law
Human law
Eternal law
The designer’s plan - unchanging and everlasting
Divine law
Scripture - the manual where we understand eternal law
Natural law
What we observe - the natural order around us (primary precepts)
Human law
What we write down based on natural law (secondary precepts)
What are the five primary precepts, followed by secondaries?
Preserve life - Wear a seat belt Order society - Buy a house, pay tax. Worship God - Go to a holy place Educate the young - Put the young in schools Reproduce - Contraception
What was the downfall of the synderesis rule?
Aquinas thought ‘we can’t accidentally sin’ because of this, whereas we all make mistakes.
What is apparent/exterior good?
When we think our action is good, whereas in reality it is done for exterior gratification.
What comes into effect when there’s a clash between primary precepts?
Doctrine of double effect.
Hypothetical example where the doctrine of double effect can be used?
Ectopic pregnancy - abort or both die as baby is in the fallopian tube - Aquinas supports the abortion.
What are the strengths?
DDE - allows for SOME flexibility.
Absolute morality provides a consistent and coherent approach to morality - applicable in most circumstances - consistent and coherent.
Gives life a purpose
Goes beyond religion and culture.
What are the weaknesses?
Synderis rule - a vague assumption.
Danger of casuistry - discerning many rules from one/few can lose main focus of the theory.
