Natural Law

Natural Law

1. Natural Law of Thomas Aquinas

   • Aquinas used the ideas of Aritotle and the Stoics as an underpinning for Natural LAw
     • Human beings have an essential rational given by God for us to live and flourish
     • Even without knowledge of God, reason can discover the laws trhat lead to human flourishing
     • The Natural Laws are universal and unchangeable and should be used to judge the laws of particular societies
   • reflections of natural law
     • Eternal Law
       • the principles by which God made and controls the universe and which only God knows completely
     • Divine Law
       • this is the Bible which Aquinas believed freflects the Eternal Law of God
     • Natural Law

2. The Purpose of Human Beings

   • does not agree with aristotle about eudaimonia, but agrees that human beings have a purpose
   • Believes we are made in his image, and so the supreme good must be the development of this image into perfection
     • unlike aristotle, Aquinas did not believe that this was achievable in this life
       • happiness begins now and continues into the next life
   • the purpose of morality is to enable us to arrive at thefulfilment of our natures and the completion of all our desires

3. Primary Precepts

   • They apply to everyone and every situation without exception
   • direct reflection of God's Eternal Law
   • As Follows:
     • Preservation of Life
     • Reproduction
     • Nurture and education of the young
     • living peacefully in society
     • live peacefully in society
     • worship God
     • PREGS
   • Secondary Precepts