2735344
Description
Mind Map by Alanis Harridine , updated more than 1 year ago
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Created by Alanis Harridine
over 9 years ago
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Natural Moral Law
- The key feature of NML are that it
is based on an absolutist and
deontological approach which
prescribes moral laws and real
duties.
- Aristotle
- A Greek philosopher, who had a
view that humans inherit a
sense of right and wrong.
"Natural is what which
everywhere is equally valid"
- However, it is best known as a Christian system
of ethics. The bible hints at such ideas: St Paul
argues that same morals are known from
nature.
- However, it is best known as a Christian system
of ethics. The bible hints at such ideas: St Paul
argues that same morals are known from
nature.
- A Greek philosopher, who had a
view that humans inherit a
sense of right and wrong.
"Natural is what which
everywhere is equally valid"
- Aquinas
- The main philosopher of NML, argues that
natural law resides within purpose of nature,
created by God. It is destiny of humans to
achieve the union with God & NML is evident in
nature and known through reason. It is also
destiny of man to achieve union with God & NML
helps them to achieve this "Do good and avoid
evil". Man understands Gods law is perceived in 2
ways; 1 through revelation (the bible) and
secondly though reason (your intellect). NML is a
rational system of ethics but is supposed to find
agreement with what is revealed in scripture. For
Aquinas a moral error is equivalent to an error in
reason. If one is being truly rational one will
always discern what is right. Immoral lives are
irrational and contradict the teaching of the
bible.
- He also assumed that human nature is essentially good. However,
if humans naturally seek what is good then why do they sometimes
choose what is bad? He solves this problem with drawing a
distinction between apparent good and real good is what is actually
good. A moral error would be choosing an apparent good,
mistaking it for real good. For example: stealing food to feed your
starving family, it is good for the family to eat and be healthy but it
is breaking the law and will be punished for it. They may seem right
but are not actually.
- Aquinas also came up with other
deontological theories called: Interior act
(which is where the intention of what you are
about to do), and exterior act (is the action
itself which you do). Action are only truly
moral, if they are good in both interior and
exterior acts e.g. you cannot give money to
charity if the intention is wrong such as
people will like me more, you have to give
money to (serve god) help others - real good.
- 5 key principles - Primary and secondary precepts of NML:
- Preservation of life = Do not commit suicide
- Reproduction = Contraception is wrong
- Education = To go to school is compulsory
- Living in society = Build more homes
- Worshipping God = Set one day a week aside for worship
- Worshipping God = Set one day a week aside for worship
- Living in society = Build more homes
- Education = To go to school is compulsory
- Reproduction = Contraception is wrong
- Preservation of life = Do not commit suicide
- 5 key principles - Primary and secondary precepts of NML:
- Aquinas also came up with other
deontological theories called: Interior act
(which is where the intention of what you are
about to do), and exterior act (is the action
itself which you do). Action are only truly
moral, if they are good in both interior and
exterior acts e.g. you cannot give money to
charity if the intention is wrong such as
people will like me more, you have to give
money to (serve god) help others - real good.
- He also assumed that human nature is essentially good. However,
if humans naturally seek what is good then why do they sometimes
choose what is bad? He solves this problem with drawing a
distinction between apparent good and real good is what is actually
good. A moral error would be choosing an apparent good,
mistaking it for real good. For example: stealing food to feed your
starving family, it is good for the family to eat and be healthy but it
is breaking the law and will be punished for it. They may seem right
but are not actually.
- The main philosopher of NML, argues that
natural law resides within purpose of nature,
created by God. It is destiny of humans to
achieve the union with God & NML is evident in
nature and known through reason. It is also
destiny of man to achieve union with God & NML
helps them to achieve this "Do good and avoid
evil". Man understands Gods law is perceived in 2
ways; 1 through revelation (the bible) and
secondly though reason (your intellect). NML is a
rational system of ethics but is supposed to find
agreement with what is revealed in scripture. For
Aquinas a moral error is equivalent to an error in
reason. If one is being truly rational one will
always discern what is right. Immoral lives are
irrational and contradict the teaching of the
bible.
- Bernard Hoose
- made a modern interpretation of NML
called proportionalism, (not every moral
value is absolute, it can be linked to
circumstances) - it might be necessary
to put aside the inflexible absolutist
interpretations of NML and consider
other qualities as well as justice and
integrity. We should consider a persons
body and soul as humans are both.
Moral codes should be proportionate to
the needs of people and on how useful
they are is enabling a fair decision to be
made. For example: If a suffering baby is
going to die it can be used to justify
euthenasia.
- made a modern interpretation of NML
called proportionalism, (not every moral
value is absolute, it can be linked to
circumstances) - it might be necessary
to put aside the inflexible absolutist
interpretations of NML and consider
other qualities as well as justice and
integrity. We should consider a persons
body and soul as humans are both.
Moral codes should be proportionate to
the needs of people and on how useful
they are is enabling a fair decision to be
made. For example: If a suffering baby is
going to die it can be used to justify
euthenasia.
- Strengths of NML
- *Based on an absolutist approach makes it have clear
values and certainty makes it able to withstand
criticisms. It also focuses on reason following it to be
universal and focuses on common moral ideas. *The
argument also puts emphasis on purpose giving
humans a positive structure in their lives. *NML also
fits within theistic/Christian views/ethics.
- *Based on an absolutist approach makes it have clear
values and certainty makes it able to withstand
criticisms. It also focuses on reason following it to be
universal and focuses on common moral ideas. *The
argument also puts emphasis on purpose giving
humans a positive structure in their lives. *NML also
fits within theistic/Christian views/ethics.
- Weaknesses of
NML
- *depends on accepting the view that good is what is
found in nature. But does this mean nature is good? e.g.
are diseases good? *Aquinas assumed that everyone
seeks to worship God (Primary precepts). *He also
assumes that God created the universe and the moral
laws in it, he also believes that we have a particular
function to fulfil (not a variety of functions like the
modern view). *It is an outdated view. *Being an
absolutist argument therefore means there is no
understanding for individuals circumstances e.g. rape and
contraception.
- *depends on accepting the view that good is what is
found in nature. But does this mean nature is good? e.g.
are diseases good? *Aquinas assumed that everyone
seeks to worship God (Primary precepts). *He also
assumes that God created the universe and the moral
laws in it, he also believes that we have a particular
function to fulfil (not a variety of functions like the
modern view). *It is an outdated view. *Being an
absolutist argument therefore means there is no
understanding for individuals circumstances e.g. rape and
contraception.
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