Natural Law Flashcards
(25 cards)
A thing is good if it has the fullness of its parts…and it is bad when it is deficient in any of its integral parts.
Bonum ex integra, causa malum”ex quocumque defectu
this statement means that good actions must satisfy al three moral determinants:
object, circumstance, and intention
a physical tendency towards a definite result. This result is identified as the end of the act (finis operis) as distinguished from the end of the agent (finis operantis) which is synonymous with the motive of the doer.
Act
is the purpose which the doer wishes to achieve by such action. It comes first in the mind as intention and occurs last in the action as its culmination of fulfilment.
motive of an act
the end does not justify the means (ano meaning nito kol?)
it means that the worthiness of purpose does not make an evil good
Effects of the Motive on the Action (4)
- An evil act which is done on account of an evil motive is grievously wrong
- A good action done on account of an evil motive becomes evil itself.
- A good action done on account of a good purpose acquires an additional merit.
- An indifferent acts may either become good or bad depending on the motive.
(Circumstances of the Act ) refers primarily to the doer of the act at times, it also refers to the receiver of the act. the circumstance includes the age, status, relation, family background,educational attainment, health and socio- economic situation of the persons involved in an act.
Who
(Circumstances of the Act ) refers to the act itself and to the quality and quantity of the results of such act. the graveness of robbery, for instance, is measured by what is stolen by how much is stolen. Likewise , the relative importance of a murdered victim determines the seriousness of such crime.
What
(Circumstances of the Act ) refers to the circumstance of place where the act is committed. Rape done inside a church is more scandalous than that which is done in the privacy of a house. Murder done before a crowd is more heinous than that which is done on an isolated place.
Where
(Circumstances of the Act ) refers to the motive of the doer.
Why
(Circumstances of the Act ) refers to the companion or accomplices in an act performed. This includes the number and status of the persons involved. The more people are involved in the commission of an act, the greater and more serious is the crime.
With whom
(Circumstances of the Act ) refers to the manner how the act is made possible . Was the killing accomplished with deceit? Was it done by use of torture? How an act is performed contributes to the malice of an act.
How
(Circumstances of the Act ) refers to the time of act. a murder committed when the victim is sleeping is more offensive than the act done when the victim is wide awake.
When
dura lex, sed lex
the law is harsh, but it is the law….and every one must obey.
According to St. Thomas, ____ is an ordinance of reason, promulgated for the common good by one who has charge of society.
Law
because they are results of serious study, deliberation, or public debate.
Ordinance of reason
because they are made known to the people who are bound to observe them.
Promulgated
because the purpose of the law is general welfare of the people
For the common good
because only those who have legitimate authority to govern may pass the law.
By who has charge of the society
(Kinds of law) are those made known to men by God like the Ten Commandments given to Moses.
Divine positive laws
(Kinds of law) are those made by the legitimate human authority, such as the laws enacted by the state or the church.
- are intended to preserve peace and order and to direct members to work towards the common good.
Human positive laws
(Kinds of law) are those that require the performance of an act, like that of giving respect to parents and that of paying taxes when due.
Affirmative laws
(Kinds of law) are those that prohibit the performance of an act, like the prohibition against smoking in designated public places.
Negative laws
all human powers or faculties are operational tendencies towards what is good to man as a rational animal.
Natural Law
