Natural Law

Question 1

Who is considered the founder of the natural law tradition?

Answer 1

Aristotle

Aristotle’s contributions to moral philosophy established the foundation for natural law theory.

Question 2

What does Aristotle argue is necessary to study human behavior?

Answer 2

Based on how they behave

This highlights the connection between moral actions and ethical analysis.

Question 3

According to Aristotle, when is something considered good?

Answer 3

If it fulfills its telos (purpose)

Telos refers to the intrinsic purpose or objective of a being.

Question 4

What is the title of Aristotle’s work that contains his account of ethical thinking?

Answer 4

Nicomachean Ethics

This work details Aristotle’s views on virtue and the good life. Contains Aristotle’s fullest account of his ethical thinking

Question 5

What does human goodness lie in, according to Aristotle?

Answer 5

Being fulfilled and flourishing

Flourishing refers to achieving one’s potential and living well.

Question 6

What is moral wrongdoing linked to in Aristotle’s philosophy?

Answer 6

Falling to fulfill human potential

This emphasizes the importance of achieving one’s capabilities.

Question 7

What are the four causes in Aristotle’s philosophy?

Answer 7

Material, formal, efficient, and final causes

These causes explain why a thing is the way it is.

Question 8

In Book One of Nicomachean Ethics, what argument does Aristotle propose?

Answer 8

Function argument

This argument explores the different functions of beings to understand their nature.

Question 9

How does Aristotle differentiate humans from animals and plants?

Answer 9

Humans have a greater variety of functions

This distinction is crucial for understanding human purpose and potential.

Question 10

What must be understood to determine if a being is fulfilling its nature?

Answer 10

A “functioning human” is one that :
Lives healthily, contributes peacefully to society, works and prospers, uses their rationality, has children, passes on wisdom

Question 11

What is Aristotle’s view on a flourishing human being?

Answer 11

This includes living healthily, contributing peacefully to society, and using rationality.

Question 12

What does Aristotle identify as the final good?

Answer 12

Eudaimonia

Eudaimonia is often translated as ‘happiness’ or ‘flourishing’ in English. - the “good life”

Question 13

What constitutes a good life according to Aristotle?

Answer 13

Living virtuously

Virtue is central to Aristotle’s ethical framework.

Question 14

What commonality does Aristotle argue exists among humans?

Answer 14

A common nature and purpose

This commonality provides a basis for ethical decision-making, which types of behaviour lead to flourishing and which don’t.

Question 15

What did Aristotle means when he said that character and ethics are linked?

Answer 15

You can’t be a good person that does bad things

Question 16

What are the four tiers of law according to Aquinas?

Answer 16

1) Eternal Law 2) Divine Law 3) Natural Law 4) Human Law

Question 17

What is Eternal Law?

Answer 17

The plan by which God governs the universe; it is a law in the true sense.

Question 18

Why is Eternal Law called ‘eternal’?

Answer 18

Because it is not conceived of in time.

Question 19

How does Aquinas compare craftsmen to those who govern?

Answer 19

Just as craftsmen must have blueprints for their creations, those who govern must have plans for what their subjects ought to do.

Question 20

What is the essence of Natural Law according to Aquinas?

Answer 20

It is part of the mind of God and represents unchanging reason.

Question 21

What does Aquinas mean by saying Natural Law is universal?

Answer 21

It applies to all people at all times and places.

Question 22

How does Aquinas view God in relation to law?

Answer 22

He sees God as part of law and not distinct from God.

Question 23

What is Divine Law?

Answer 23

It is the revelation of Eternal Law through the second law, which includes commandments and teachings from the Bible.

Question 24

What are the components of Divine Law according to Aquinas?

Answer 24

The Old Law and the New Law.

Question 25

What do the Ten Commandments represent?

Answer 25

They are part of Divine Law as revealed in the Bible.

Question 26

Fill in the blank: The four tiers of law are Eternal Law, Divine Law, Natural Law, and _______.

Answer 26

Human Law

Question 27

True or False: Aquinas believes that Natural Law is relative and changes over time.

Answer 27

False- It is absolute

Question 28

What does Aquinas argue about the basis of ethics?

Answer 28

Ethics are based primarily on reason ## Footnote Aquinas believes that natural law can establish rules regardless of divine revelation.

Question 29

What is the concept of Natural Law according to Aquinas?

Answer 29

Access to God's law is accessible even if people have not received divine revelation ## Footnote Natural law allows humans to access eternal law through the application of human reason.

Question 30

What does Aquinas state about the human inclination towards good?

Answer 30

Humans want to always do good

Question 31

What is the nature of Human Law as per Aquinas?

Answer 31

Human laws are responses to messages from God through revelation and reason ## Footnote They reflect the customs and practices of society.

Question 32

According to Aquinas, what is required for peace and virtue?

Answer 32

Human laws are required for peace and virtue ## Footnote As Aristotle noted, a perfectly vicious man is the worst of animals.

Question 33

What do most societies have in common regarding laws?

Answer 33

Common rules against murder, theft, causing physical harm, etc.

Question 34

Fill in the blank: Human laws are the _______ and practices of society.

Answer 34

customs

Question 35

True or False: Aquinas believes that moral training is unnecessary for those blessed by God.

Answer 35

True ## Footnote He states that for those with good natural temperaments and customs, parental training and admonition is enough.

Question 36

What does Aquinas say about those who are rebellious and prone to vice?

Answer 36

They must be kept from evil by force or fear

Question 37

According to Aquinas, what happens to man without law and justice?

Answer 37

He is the worst of animals

Question 39

What is the relationship between human law and natural law?

Answer 39

Human law is only authoritative if it can be demonstrated to be in harmony with natural law ## Footnote If human law does not conform to natural law, individuals may choose not to follow it.

Question 40

What is eternal law?

Answer 40

Constant law for everything, everywhere, created by God ## Footnote Eternal law serves as the foundation for all other laws.

Question 41

Define divine law.

Answer 41

Based on the belief in a higher power that governs the universe and sets standards for moral and ethical behavior ## Footnote Divine law is often linked to religious teachings.

Question 42

What does natural law consist of?

Answer 42

Human beings possessing values that govern reasoning and behavior ## Footnote Natural law is considered inherent to human nature.

Question 43

What is human law?

Answer 43

Written laws created by humans in a particular society ## Footnote Human law is based on the other three laws: eternal, divine, and natural.

Question 44

True or False: Human law has authority independently of other laws.

Answer 44

False ## Footnote Human law derives its authority from its alignment with natural, divine, and eternal laws.

Question 45

Fill in the blank: Human law does not have any authority in and of _______.

Answer 45

itself ## Footnote This emphasizes the dependence of human law on higher laws.

Question 46

What happens when human law runs counter to natural law?

Answer 46

It is no longer law but a breakdown of law ## Footnote This suggests that laws must align with natural law to be valid.

Question 48

What philosophical school significantly contributed to Natural Law thinking?

Answer 48

Stoicism ## Footnote Stoicism emphasized the rational aspect of human nature and the order of the universe.

Question 49

According to Stoicism, how is the world arranged?

Answer 49

By nature or by gods in the best way possible.

Question 50

What does Stoicism emphasize in human behavior?

Answer 50

The rational over the emotional.

Question 51

What is the path to living a good life according to Stoicism?

Answer 51

Living according to nature's rules.

Question 52

How does Cicero define true law?

Answer 52

Right reason in agreement with nature; universal, unchanging, and everlasting.

Question 53

What does Cicero state about the obligations of true law?

Answer 53

It summons to duty by its commands and averts from wrongdoing by its prohibitions.

Question 54

What is the effect of true law on good men according to Cicero?

Answer 54

Good men will follow it.

Question 55

What is the effect of true law on bad men according to Cicero?

Answer 55

Bad men will not follow it.

Question 56

What does Cicero say about attempts to alter true law?

Answer 56

It is a sin to try to alter it.

Question 57

According to Cicero, can true law be abolished entirely?

Answer 57

No, it is impossible to abolish it entirely.

Question 58

Can individuals be freed from the obligations of true law by human authorities?

Answer 58

No, we cannot be freed by senate or people.

Question 59

Will there be different laws at different times or places, according to Cicero?

Answer 59

No, there will not be different laws at some times and at Athens.

Question 60

What does Cicero say about the nature of true law?

Answer 60

One eternal and unchangeable law valid for all nations and all times.

Question 61

Who does Cicero identify as the author and enforcer of true law?

Answer 61

God.

Question 62

What happens to those who disobey true law, according to Cicero?

Answer 62

They are fleeing from themselves and denying their human nature.

Question 63

True or False: Cicero believes that true law can vary from one society to another.

Answer 63

False.

Question 64

Fill in the blank: According to Cicero, true law does not lay its commands or prohibitions upon _______ in vain.

Answer 64

good men.

Question 65

What did Aristotle mean by Telos?

Answer 65

The idea that humans have a common purpose or end

Question 66

What did stoicism mean by reason?

Answer 66

The world is ordered and rational, we have the capacity given by God to understand it and the eternal laws that govern it

Question 67

What did Cicero mean by Nature?

Answer 67

We have a human nature, and it is important that we live in accordance with it and do acts that fit with our nature

Question 68

What did Aquninas argue Moral acts are?

Answer 68

Moral acts are free acts ##Footnotes Something done on your own control

Question 69

What did Aquinas see as ‘ultimately unsatisfying’?

Answer 69

Having specific goals and ends in mind ##Footnote They don’t enable you to flourish

Question 70

Where can the ultimate end be found?

Answer 70

Cannot be found in this world but only in the supreme and infinite God ##Footnote We are only fully satisfied when we achieve the ultimate end

Question 71

What did Aqunina mean by the ‘ light of reason’ ?

Answer 71

All humans sought this end ##Footnote “…man needs to