Natural Law

Natural Law

1. Created by St Thomas Aquinas, who was influenced by Aristotle's philosophy.

2. Used Aristotle's Four Causes

   • Material Cause: The material components used to make something
   • Formal Cause: The appearance distinguishing the item from something else
   • Efficient Cause: The creator of the item (God is the creator of the Universe)
   • Final Cause: The purpose and utilities of the item. (For humans to achieve moral perfection like God in heaven, our Divine Destiny is oneness with God

3. Uses Primary and Secondary Precepts, (primary is the absolute rule, a secondary precept being and example of which and specific to situation).

   • Preservation of Life: Do not kill. Do not abort.
   • Educating the Young. Teach them Christianity. Send to school.
   • Worshipping God. Have no idols. Study scriptures.
   • Procreation: Do not abort or use contraception.
   • Living in Society: Do not steal or vandalise other's property.

4. Hiearchy of Laws

   • Human law: our societal laws, keeping us in order. E.g Abortion is illegal in this country,
   • Natural law: otherwise known as the law within, our conscience or inner voice telling us right from wrong.. E.g Do not kill because if everyone murdered, then the population would drop.
   • Divine law: the laws and teachings written in the Bible (the written Word of God to Christians). E.g 'Do not kill' is a Tenth Commandment.
   • Eternal law: the law only known by God. Aquinas believed we will reach the understanding of it when we reach moral perfection and oneness with God in heaven. - we are unable to understand and comprehend it here on Earth. E.g God would not approve of killing.

5. Real and Apparent Goods

   • A real good is something both intended and performed as good, e.g giving a homeless person a place to stay and wanting nothing in return.
   • An apparent good is an action performed appearing malicious but with a good motive, e.g parents replacing a dead pet with a similar looking one in order to avoid breaking the news to their child, although the child should learn of the circle of life.

6. Interior and Exterior Motives

   • Interior motives are intentions which are always good. However, the action performed may not be successful in its intended nature. An 'inside' good.
     • Similarly, the action could be good, resulting in a real good.
   • Exterior motives are actions which are always good. However, the intention behind it may be bad,. An 'outside' good.
     • Similarly, the intention could be good, resulting in a real good,
   • For Aquinas and Natural Law, the only good act is one botn intended and performed in good nature.

7. Cardinal Values (Christian values) and Theological Virtues. (General characteristics to possess).. If you are a non-Christian and a follower of natural law then it could be said it hinders your understanding of love.

   • Hope: Belief in purity and future.
   • Faith: A trust in person or concept
   • Charity: Benelovent caring and advice giving
   • Temperance: Moderation in action, thought or feeling
   • Fortitude: Mental durability and strength
   • Wisdom: Being knowledgeable but in no way superior
   • Justice: Concept of moral righteousness and good.
   • Prudence: Ability to discipline oneself by reason

8. Based on REASON, which is God given a priori knowledge given innately from birth to direct morality (our sense of right and wrong).

9. The first principle is: Good is to be done and evil avoided.

10. This theory is deontological as it is more about 'right' and 'wrong' as opposed to teleology (good or bad).. Reason dictates this, as we are only responsible for our subjective actions and not the environment.

11. There is no single Natural Law theory but they are all based on the idea that nature has an in-built teleology. If you are Christian - God dictates. Non-religious? Nature,

12. Aquinas believed that our ability to think rationally is innate as we understand function, purpose and end. Rational debate will lead us to understand natural law and touch upon Eternal law. As we are made in the image of God, our conscience is modelled after him, knowing Natural law intrinsically.