Aquinas' Natural Law - Paper 1 (G+E) Flashcards
(14 cards)
What do Catholics mean by Natural Law? (2 marks)
Natural law is Aquinas’ theory of universal and absolute moral principles which distinguish right from wrong.
He says they help us to ”do good and avoid evil”.
How do we “do good and avoid evil”?
(Aquinas’ summary of Natural Law)
Listen to our conscience to use our reason to distinguish right from wrong
What are primary precepts?
Five universal and absolute moral principles showing us how to ”do good and avoid evil” in line with our purpose in God’s plan
How many primary precepts does Aquinas propose?
5
What do the Primary precepts do?
Identify actions that are in line with our purpose in God’s plan as well as guide us to ”do good and avoid evil”
State Aquinas’ Five Primary Precepts
Worship God
Ordered Society
Reproduction
Learning (Education)
Defend the Innocent
Remember by the acronym WORLD
What are secondary precepts?
More specific moral laws derived from the primary precepts that can be applied directly to real life situations
Give an example of a secondary precept
“Abortion is wrong”
as it defies “Defend the Innocent” and ”Reproduce”
Aquinas said to ”Do good and …
avoid evil“
Aquinas believed that if something broke a primary precept that it was …
evil
How do the primary precepts help a person to distinguish between right and wrong?
If something (usually an action) upholds a primary precept, then it is good
However, if something breaks a primary precept, then it is evil
Give two examples of primary precepts that abortion would break
Defend the innocent
Reproduce
Who proposed the theory of Natural Law?
Aquinas
Natural Law is Aquinas’ theory that 5 unchanging, universal principles (primary precepts) provide absolute moral guides between good and evil.
WORLD is the acronym for what?
Aquinas’ 5 primary precepts:
Worship God
Ordered Society
Reproduce
Learning (Education)
Defend the Innocent
