Natural Moral Law

Question 1

What is the basis of natural moral law?

Answer 1

that their is an objectively ideal way to be human and it is by this ideal that we measure our humanity.

Question 2

Who argued ‘true law is in agreement with nature’?

Answer 2

Cicero

Question 3

explain Aquinas’ natural moral law

Answer 3

took influence from aristotle’s belief that all things have a purpose to which they work.
purpose can be understood through examination of the natural world and bible. rules for human conduct are laid down in human nature.
natural law available to all since everyone can see the universe works according to certain patterns and rules that do not change.

Question 4

what is a quote from the bible relevent to moral law?

Answer 4

‘ever since the creation of the world, his invisible nature .. has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made’
this maintains natural law is evident in the universe so sinful man has no excuse for wrong doing

Question 5

what are the purposes of life according to aquinas?

Answer 5

to live, reproduce, learn and worship God

Question 6

some dictates will flow logically from the primary principle and are self evident such as do not murder, others are….

Answer 6

reached through a more complex process of reasoning since reason alone cannot deduce them from nature

Question 7

What does Aquinas argue to do with human purpose?

Answer 7

God gave man reason to accomplish purposes whether he believes in him or not, the natural law gives men the opportunity to work towards to good in all things

Question 8

What does Paul say about good working towards the good in all things?

Answer 8

that it is not always possible ‘since all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God’ men will fall short of God’s best for them because this is a fallen world and man violated the perfect relationship with God. however rational man will act to accomplish it since any action which takes man closer to the goal is good.

Question 9

give some natural law examples

Answer 9

theft is wrong because it unbalances social life

drunkenness is wrong because it is unhealthy and it deprives the individual of their use of reason

Question 10

What did Aquinas maintain about goals and purposes?

Answer 10

that everyone had a purpose specific to them

the goal of relationship with god is open to all while other goals are only open to some

Question 11

what did aquinas say were the 4 cardinal virtues which apply to natural moral law which are the fundamental qualities of a good moral life?

Answer 11

prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance

Question 12

What are 4 of the 7 vices which will lead people astray

Answer 12

gluttony, pride, anger and lust

Question 13

what are the 4 different types of law and what are they?

Answer 13

the eternal law - god’s will and wisdom and rational ordering of the universe
this reveals the divine law which is given in scripture and through church and guides humans to happiness in heaven
from this human law is derived which regulates human behaviour in society and is exercised through the state as an extension to the divine law

Question 14

what did paul say about human law?

Answer 14

‘let every person be subject to the governing authorities for there is no authority except from God and those that exist have been instituted by God.’

Question 15

explain the double effect

Answer 15

Can be used to resolve conflicts e.g. if a pregnant woman has cancer of the uterus and only a hysterectomy will save her, this would entail the termination of her pregnancy which is against moral law. however the primary purpose of the hysterectomy would be to save her life not end the fetus’s - an unavoidable secondary effect

Question 16

What do Hoose and McCormick say about proportionalism?

Answer 16

that is responds to natural moral law by working within the framework of it without insisting on preserving an inflexible interpretation if a greater good is served by laying it aside

Question 17

what does Aquinas say that suggests he allows some proportionalism?

Answer 17

he said if a man were starving it would be acceptable to steal rather than let him die of hunger

Question 18

what may a proportionalist argue about natural moral law?

Answer 18

that is fails to recognise that since we live in a fallen world, the best humans can aim for is moral compromise not moral perfection.

Question 19

why might proportionalism be seen as more compassionate?

Answer 19

because it allows individual circumstances to be taken into account and does not permit human suffering simply in the case of upholding a moral law and acknowledges that some moral evils have to be permitted to bring about a greater good.

Question 20

what are the strengths of natural moral law?

Answer 20

it is a simple universal guide for judging the moral value of human actions
makes God’s reason accessible to a believer because humans and God share the same rationality
appeals to the sense that morality is more than just a matter of what people’s personal preferences are - a prevailing sense that some thing are of intrinsic value

Question 21

what are the weaknesses of natural moral law?

Answer 21

• it depends on the view that good is what is found in nature - cancer?
• assumes all people seek to worship God which can be seen as artificial not natural
• assumptions that god created moral law and the world aren’t natural to atheists
• he maintains reproduction is a universal aim to mankind, what about homosexuals and those who biologically can’t and is it then immoral to choose not to?
  idea that everyone has a different purpose goes against modern idea that people have a variety
• theory leaves no room for relativism or situationism and most people are ultimately suspicious of a theory based on the principles of always and never
• his understanding of human purpose is limited - if purpose is to reproduce how can he justify his celibacy he avoided this by saying there is room for some individuals to fulfill a different purpose as long as humanity as a whole works towards the general purposes

Question 22

what did aquinas argue about authority?

Answer 22

Human beings can only function when some have authority - there must be leaders and those who are led. political authority was given by god who sis the source of all authority.

Question 23

who claimed that Christians must obey governments as they hold power in the name of God and what does aquinas say about it?

Answer 23

paul

that if power is gained immorally or put to immoral use a christian is not obliged to obey

Question 24

who notes that social contract theories are based on the divine right of kings were god handed authority to the sovereign ?

Answer 24

Weinreb

Question 25

what does aquinas say about human law?

Answer 25

that laws should serve the purposes of natural law and common good
we have laws against murder and stealing because these acts stop individuals from achieving their ultimate purpose which according to natural law is to be happy for this reason governments have the right to be paternalistic and stop people damaging themselves for example the prosecution of those involved in sadomasochism - from the view of natural law this is a perversion of nature so governments have the right to stop it