Thomas Aquinas' Precepts

Thomas Aquinas' Precepts

1. There are five primary precepts

   • reproduction
   • SELF-PRESERVATION
   • education of children
   • worshipping God
   • following the laws of society
   • The most important of these is self-preservation, as the other four precepts ensure self-preservation happens

2. Aquinas said that there was a basic law, which all the other precepts play a part in;

   • "good is to be done and pursued... and evil is to be avoided."
     • 'This is the first precept of the law that good is to be done an promoted, and evil is to be avoided. All other precepts of natural law and based on this.'

3. Secondary precepts are rules about what we should or shouldn't do according to the five primary precepts

   • two secondary principles under the primary precepts
     • self-evident rules need to uphold the primary precepts
     • rules coming from a more complex process of reasoning
       • Aquinas said that God gave humans reason so they could work towards the good in all things
         • he said that humans are naturally inclined to want to do good and follow the five precepts
     • For example; reproduction
       • human genitals designed for reproduction
         • homosexuality and masturbation are wrong, because they don't lead to new life
         • heterosexual intercourse is good because it is using genitals for intended purpose