Theme 2 (Deontological Ethics) Flashcards
(33 cards)
Who was Aquinas?
- Catholic philosopher
- Heavily influenced by his teacher Aristotle
- Focused on rationality and proving the existence of God
What are Aquinas’ four levels of law?
Eternal
Divine
Natural
Human
How does Aquinas’ natural law theory relate to eternal law?
+ according to Aquinas what is the relationship between natural law and human-made laws?
eternal law helps us recognize and apply natural law
+ human laws should be based on natural law
What is Natural Law?
+ what is the primary focus of Aquinas’ natural law theory?
Theory that certain values are inherent and can be universally understood through human reasoning
+ rational moral principles
How does Aquinas’ natural law theory address cultural differences in moral beliefs?
+ what is Aquinas’ view on the ultimate purpose of human life?
+ what is Aquinas’ view on human nature?
Acknowledges differences in application while maintaining universal principles
+ to know and love God
+ we have a rational nature that is oriented towards good
Which types of theory is Natural Law and why?
Teleological (it must be followed to complete your purpose of an eternal relationship with God)
Deontological (actions which should be done are determined by fundamental principles)
What are Primary Precepts?
God-given purposes in life to help us identify which acts are ‘good’ in order to get to Heaven.
(They are absolutist)
What are the Primary Precepts? (POWER)
Preservation of life
Ordered society
Worship God
Education
Reproduction
What did Aquinas believe about the primary precepts?
+ Quote
That they are derived from rational thought and help us to act with the purpose of ‘doing good and avoiding evil’
“Natural Law is the same for all men”
Aquinas Quote - Reason
“the moral life is the life according to reason”
What is casuistry?
Applying key principles (primary precepts) to an ethical cause
Preston Quote -casuistry
“Christian ethics would be an exercise in ignorance without it”
What are Secondary Precepts?
Rulings about things we should or shouldn’t do as they uphold/fail to uphold the primary precepts (They are not absolutist)
Examples of Secondary Precepts
P - do not abort
O - do not steal
W - Bible accessible to all
E - religious education
R - do not use contraception
What is an Internal Act?
The intention of the moral agent when carrying out an action
What is an External Act?
The actions of a moral agent
What are Real Goods?
Correctly reasoned goods which help the moral agent achieve their telos (good action & good intention)
What are Apparent Goods?
+ how can you distinguish between real and apparent goods (Aquinas)?
Wrongly reasoned goods which don’t help the moral agent achieve their God given purpose (good action but bad intention)
+ by using reason guided by natural law
How do these goods help people to do the right actions?
+Religious link
Encourages actions with a pure motive
+ Links to karma (you cannot gain good karma if that is the intention behind your good action)
What are individual and common goods?
+ Aquinas’ view on the relationship between these?
the common good means the good that is somehow shared or mutual among a group and individual goods are valued only by one individual
they are harmonious when properly understood
What are Revealed Virtues?
Virtues that cannot be obtained by human effort, but received through the divine grace of God
Christians aspire to have these
What are the 3 Revealed Virtues?
Faith (belief and obedience to God)
Hope (expectation and desire to achieve eternal life in Heaven)
Charity ( kindness to others in response to God’s love)
St Paul Quote
(Revealed Virtues)
“So now faith, hope and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love”
How did Aquinas view the relationship between faith and reason?
+ how did he view the role of emotions in moral decision making?
Faith and reason are complementary
+ emotions can be educated and integrated with reason
