God made and controls the universe and which only God knows
completely. We only know these as 'reflections'; only we have a
partialand approx understanding of laws which govern the universe
2. Devine Law
The Bible - this reflects eternal law. Only be seen by
those who believe in God
3. Natural Law
The theory that an eternal, absolute
moral law can be discovered by reason
4. Human Law
Human laws are the customs and
practices of society
Aquinas' Natural Law
Aristotle
Aristotle said that morality
should be based on reason not
emotions
The telos
Aquinas though that moral acts were
free acts aimed at achiveing an
immediate and ultimate end
Primary and Secondary Precepts
Five Primary Precepts
2. To live in an ordered society: a lawful
one where it is possible to follow all the
PP
3. To reproduce: to ensure that life continues as is God's
intention and as necessary for the continuation of
society
4. To learn: to teach people
about God and his laws and PP
5. To defend the innocent
1. To worship God: God is the source of eternal law, and
God has sent this law to humanity through divine and
human law
Secondary Precepts
Reason what would be
essential to get to the PP
'Do good, avoid evil'
Precepts and Reason
Casuistry
Name given to the process of applying natural law
principles to specific situations. Done in a logical way to
have logical consequences
Double Effect
Refers to situations where there are intended out comes
and another significant but unintentional outcome.
According to NL our intentions are improtant not the consequences.
Four conditions we must meet:
1. We do not wish evil effects and make all
reasonable efforst to avoid them
2. The immediate effect in itself
should be good
3. The evil is not made a means to obtain the good
4. The good effect should be as
important, proportionsly at least, as
the evil effect
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
Having secondary precepts allows flexibility
Most cultures follow the PP
PP make NL more objective
Gives us a telos
DE allows a more liberal view
Focuses on human potential
for flourishing
Absolutist view of morality
Combines faith and reason
Appeals to human instinct
Weaknesses
Challengeable
Modernity
Individuals within a culture may not
follow the view
Complex situations
Money as a limiting factor
Some cultures believe that women
shouldn't be educated