Transcript Natural Law

Natural Law
L.O:
Demonstrate knowledge & understanding of:
• The origins of Aquinas’ Natural Law in Aristotle’s idea of purpose;
• Aquinas’ ideas of purpose & perfection
• The use of reason to discover Natural Law
• The primary and secondary precepts
•Strengths & weaknesses
Homework due Monday
1) Create a visual representation of Aquinas’s 4 Laws
2) Read the chapter on Natural Laws (photocopied)
3) Write an essay answer on the following question:
Explain the concept of Natural Law (25 marks)
Any part a) Natural Law exam question will expect candidates to explain the basic principles of Natural Law.
But a really good way to start is to explain about purpose and the fact that everything seems to be striving to
fulfil its purpose. This way you can bring in Aquinas’ link to Aristotle.
Then you could go on to talk about specific aspects of the Natural Law theory such as:
•
Do good and avoid evil
•
The primary precepts and use of reason to establish the secondary precepts
•
The difference between real and apparent goods and interior and exterior acts
Remember, you must be specific and use the correct terms. This will get you higher marks. For example, if
you use terminology, make sure that you use it correctly and spell it correctly. If you use examples, don’t just
focus on an example you can remember straightaway that sort of fits: try to use really specific examples to
back up each point you make.
Natural law – the essence
Humans have an innate
understanding of right
and wrong
The natural is that which everywhere is
equally valid, and depends not upon being or
not being received. That which is natural is
unchangeable, and has the same power
everywhere, just as fire burns both here nd
in Persia.
Aristotle (384 – 322 BCE)
Aristotle’s theory of causes
When considering why an object exists, Aristotle asked 4 questions:
1)
What is it made of? (Material Cause)
•
•
2)
Materials always have the potential for change e.g. rotting, melting,
evaporating, dying.
This represents the impermanence of our world
How was it made/how does it happen? (Efficient Cause)
•
Could be a person or a natural cause e.g a gust of wind/tide coming in
What are it’s characteristics? (Formal cause)
3)
•
4)
Which group/category do we naturally associate it with? E.g furniture, animals
etc.
What is it for? (Final cause)
•
i.e. what is it’s purpose? This is the most important question
Task
Apply Aristotle’s theory of causes to the following objects:
a) a chair
b) an exam
c) a human
Perfection
According to Aristotle, if an object works extremely
well fulfilling it’s purpose (Final Cause), it is
perfect
The Final Cause for humans is to seek
happiness through general all-round
wellbeing. This is called eudaimonia.
We have an innate sense of wrong and
right in order to achieve this. This is
called natural law.
Aristotle
Aquinas applying Aristotle’s theory
of causes to Christianity
I agree with Aristotle’s theory of causes.
However, I disagree that the Final Cause
for humans is eudaimonia. I think that
the Efficient cause (who made it) is God,
and the Final Cause is to seek union
with God. This can only be achieved in
the afterlife and through doing what God
intends.
How to we know what God
intends?
There is a basic moral law which is
divinely inspired to guide us to do what
God wants. Basically, good is to be
done and pursued and evil is to be
avoided. This is natural law. We don’t
always know what is right and wrong so
we must apply moral reasoning.
Task
Why does Aquinas believe that we should apply moral
reasoning? Shouldn’t we just follow our faith blindly?
Answer: God gave us the power to reason so he expects us to use it. This
raises us above other animals and allows us to achieve our ultimate purpose
– perfection or union with God
Eternal Law
Mind of God w.g. creation of the universe, cycle of life. Whilst humans can glimpse
reflections of this, e.g. scientific knowledge, most of it we will never know or understand
Divine Law
Word of God revealed through the Bible and teachings of Jesus, the
church etc.
Natural Law
Natural sense of what is right and wrong i.e.
‘good is to be done, evil is to be avoided’. If we
follow our conscience and apply reason, we will
reach the right outcome
Task
How do non-Christians
follow natural law?
Human Law
Everyday rules that govern our
lives
Non-Christians
God created everybody, even nonChristians. Their Final Cause is the
same i.e. union with God. Therefore,
God made it possible for non-Christians
to achieve this through the powers of
reasoning alone. However, it will be
more difficult!
Do we always apply reasoning
correctly?
Sometimes our intentions are good, but we
become misguided and apply moral reasoning
incorrectly or misinterpret the Divine Law. This
means it is only an apparent good rather than
the real good.
e.g. smoking to relieve tension is only an apparent
good. Reason tells us that smoking increases
tension in the long term.
Task
Identify your own examples of apparent good and real good.
Natural Law in Practice
Aquinas laid out a set of rules for us to follow when applying natural
law. He believed these could always be applied as the world was
designed by a rational, purposeful creator (God).
In order to be able to concentrate on Natural Law, Quinas understood
they had to live in a civilise society where they were free to
flourish. There are Five Primary Precepts essential to this:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Preservation of Life
Reproduction
Educating the young
Living in a civilised society
Worshipping God
Secondary Precepts
Each primary precept can be developed into secondary
precepts, which are the practical human rules that govern
our daily behaviour. Whilst the primary precepts are set in
stone, the secondary precepts vary depending on the
circumstances.
Are Primary and
Secondary Precepts
absolute or relativist?
Primary Precept = Reproduction
Apply reason – what would be an essential route
towards this primary precept?
Answer: Sex!
Apply reasoning: What might natural law say about
sexual ethics if the outcome must be pregnancy?
Answer: Unprotected sex!
Primary Precept = reproduction
Secondary Precept = contraception is wrong
Evaluating Natural Law
Strengths
Absolutist so provides a clear
framework for rules and laws
Flexible enough to accommodate
different cultures because secondary
precepts are reasoned by the society
Most people agree with preserving life,
building a good society, educating the
young etc whether religious or not
(deontological)
Weaknesses
Some say not completely absolutist – are
secondary precepts relativist? If so, it is
less clear
Can be difficult to apply to complex
situations e.g. what if doing good causes
a bad consequence? We can apply the
doctrine of double effect but isn’t this
subjective? (teleological)
Relies heavily on reason. Can humans
all reason accurately? Would I reason in
the same way as you?
The challenge!
In small groups, create a revision poster
outlining Natural Law Theory.
You must include:
• Aristotle’s theory of causes
• Perfection
• Aquinas’ 4 Laws
• Primary & Secondary precepts