Natural Law Flashcards
(21 cards)
what is natural law?
a deontological theory based on behaviour that accords with moral laws given from God that exist independently of human societies
whats a deontological theory?
focuses on actions and intentions
what are the primary precepts in order?
- preservation of life
- reproduction
- education of the young
- lived in an ordered society
- worship God
define the primary precepts?
most important rules in life that Aquinas set out
the precepts are understood through reason
what synoptic link of another of Aquinas’ theories could you use?
conscience - ratio coming from God to make a moral decision , and ratio is used to understand the PP
what are the secondary precepts?
laws which are developed from the primary precepts that are practical human rules
finish the quote by Pope Paul VI “The church…in urging men…………”
“The church…in urging men to the observance of the precepts of the natural law”
what is the doctrine of double effect?
when you cannot do good without a bad consequence but this doesn’t make the action immoral because its all about the good intention
whats an example of everyday life which doctrine of double effect might be used?
pregnant and have an abortion because of ectopic pregnancy
need an abortion to save your own life but results in losing the foetus
good intention of saving yourself
what did Aquinas believe brought evil into the world?
real and apparent goods
what are real and apparent goods?
real good is the action you should complete , when you’ve used your reason correctly
apparent good is the action which wouldn’t fit into reality of the perfect human but would be more enjoyable
what is synderesis rule?
“Good is done and evil is avoided”
what is applied to the syneresis rule which helps someone to make a decision within a situation?
conscientia - applying reason to a situation
name the four tiers of law?
- eternal law
- divine law
- natural law
- human law
why did Aquinas develop natural law?
believed morality comes from nature, which was made by God during creation
who opposed natural law?
why?
Kai Neilson
why did Neilson oppose natural law?
argued morality is dependent on history , culture and social influences , its not a universal nature fixed thing
what is Neilson’s book?
‘Ethics without God’
what is Charles Darwin book?
‘on the origin of species’
instead of God developing morality, how did Darwin believe morality came into existence?
through natural selection, which has developed and changed overtime
why did Darwin argue morality wasn’t absolute?
whats nutural for humanity changes over time , like human language , morality evolves to better fit society today , not to align with the eternal law
