Natural Law Flashcards
any shared moral values that are not necessarily tied to scripture.
natural law
Examples of natural law would include values such as
justice, the obligation not to harm another, respect for life
When conceived along teleological lines, natural law is viewed as
an intrinsic teleology. Human beings have a nature, and we are happiest when we fulfill our nature and follow our natural drives to their proper end. This goal is an internal one because it is inscribed into the very nature of our being.
Explanation of the natural law (3)
a. Every living thing has a nature and is happiest when it fulfills its nature.
b. Human beings have three drives within us, or three inclinations toward an end.
c. The morality of particular actions is based on the faculty or power under consideration.
Human beings have three drives within us, or three inclinations toward an end. (3)
(1) Those corresponding to all living things: to conserve their existence (stay alive)
(2) Those corresponding to all animals: procreation and education of offspring
(3) Those corresponding to human beings: to know the truth about God and live together in human society.
according to natural law, Why is lying wrong?
The faculty of speech is to put on one’s lips what is on one’s mind. To lie is to go against the purpose of speech.
An important distinction is made between a positive and negative obligation. You cannot tell a lie (the negative obligation that always holds), but
you don’t always have to tell the truth (the positive obligation).
Weaknesses of the natural law (3)
a. Many do not question the existence of a natural law, but they do question to what extent it can be reliably known.
b. sometimes our rationality may need to interfere with our animality for the good of the individual or society as a whole. Human beings are called to be stewards of creation.
c. Natural law, especially as formulated by Thomas, places too much emphasis on the faculty standing alone and not in context to the person.
