Natural Law

Question 0

Aquinas

Answer 0

Philosopher and Christian, he is the primary founder of Natural Law. He sought to combine Aristotle’s views on morality with Religious values.

Question 1

Rationality

Answer 1

It is a key element in human existence, it gives the ability to consider a situation logically and to judge it to considerable moral standards. Both Aristotle and Aquinas agreed with this term, therefore becoming a concept within the theory.

Question 2

Aristotle

Answer 2

Aristotle is the basis of Natural Law. Also, he is a key thinker in philosophy. Many of Aristotle’s beliefs are key concepts within Natural Law.

Question 3

Absolutist

Answer 3

Natural Law is an absolutist theory. It applies to every situation within human nature. It can can be used by all as it is universal, however it can’t be changed.

Question 4

Legalistic

Answer 4

Natural Law is the basis of catholic teachings, and to be legalistic simply means to follow laws to gain eternal life. The concept of following the Laws of the Natural Law theory will help an individual obtain the highest good.

Question 5

Deontological

Answer 5

To be Deontological you must focus on the morality of an act, rather than the consequences. Natural Law is a deontological theory. The Greek word “deon” meaning obligation, or rather duty to God.

Question 6

Law

Answer 6

Natural Law is universal, which means that the theory can be used by all regardless of ethnicity or religion. Eternal Law signifies that God creates everything and his will and wisdom is revealed to us through the Divine Law, which is through revelation in sacred texts of the Church. Divine Law is made known in Natural Law, which is the human ability to asses what is right of wrong. This links to Human Law, which is the legal systems in societies based on the moralistic norms of society.

Question 7

Purpose

Answer 7

It is believed that every person has a purpose that God has assigned them when they are created. Aquinas was a firm believer of this and thought that everyone could achieve their own purpose and the ideal human nature with the goals to avoid evil to achieve eternal life.

Question 8

Primary Precepts

Answer 8

Worship, Reproduction, Education, Defend the Innocent, And to Live in an Ordered Society. With these values, a human can achieve their purpose with reason. Humans are here to do “good” and the primary precepts represent desirable goals that humans should achieve.

Question 9

Secondary Precepts

Answer 9

Developed from the Primary precepts in order to be flexible to certain situations, for example, masturbation. Aquinas believed that this went against reproduction. The secondary precepts would aid a person to work out what they should or shouldn’t do because they either uphold or fail to uphold the primary precepts.

Question 10

Cardinal (Revealed) Virtues

Answer 10

Prudence, Justice, Fortitude and Temperance are the cardinal virtues. With cardinal meaning “hinge” these are fundamental aspects to the theory as it presents the basic morals that a human should possess In order to live a moral life.

Question 11

Prudence

Answer 11

To be prudent is to be rational. Wisdom and caution would be undertook in regards to situations.

Question 12

Justice

Answer 12

A primary precept is to defend the innocent, also it helps balance our interests with the rights and interests of others.

Question 13

Fortitude

Answer 13

This means to possess the ability to confront fear and uncertainty to achieve a goal, which in Natural Law, are the precepts and human nature.

Question 14

Temperance

Answer 14

To be able to practice self control or restraint in order to be considered honourable.

Question 15

Theological Virtues

Answer 15

Faith, hope and charity. These are referred to a revealed virtues, and are directed at the Divine (God). These cardinal virtues cannot be obtained by human effort, and a person can only revive them by being wholly involved through Divine Grace.

Question 16

Interior Act

Answer 16

Based purely on the good/bad intentions within an act with positive/ negative motivation behind it. The “internal” is inside, meaning the concept of an act is something not visual to others.

Question 17

Exterior Act

Answer 17

Exterior is the physical side of things. The act is visual, but may also have good/bad intentions underlying it.

Question 18

Double-Effect

Answer 18

An act can be considered good, but may result in bad secondary consequences, which relates to interior and exterior. Although, even if the act has consequences it is still right to carry out the act.

Question 19

Real Good

Answer 19

Is a characteristic that will help a human being become closer to God and the ideal human nature that God planned. For example, giving food to your family.

Question 20

Apparent Good

Answer 20

A vice or sin that may drive people further away from God and their purpose and the ideal human nature. For example, stealing to feed your family.

Question 21

Efficient Cause

Answer 21

This is Aristotle’s distinction between what gets things done. An example is sexuality – an efficient cause of sex is enjoyment: because humans enjoy sex, the species has survived through procreation. This focuses on the situation, and not the morals.

Question 22

Final Cause

Answer 22

The final cause assumes a rational mind behind creation, and as such moves from descriptive ethics to normative ethics. E.g. Sex is for procreation. It can look at whether that cause is consistent with God’s design for human beings.