Natural Moral Law

• What is fundamental to any essay on natural law?

  An understanding of the primary and secondary precepts
• What do the primary precepts explain?

  What is required to fulfill our ultimate purpose as intended by God
• Who is considered our efficient cause according to St. Thomas Aquinas?

  God, our creator
• What is the ultimate purpose of human life on Earth according to Aquinas?

  To develop a right relationship with God
• How does Aquinas suggest we know God's intention for us?

  Through reason and Revelation
• What do the primary precepts tell us?

  How to achieve a right relationship with God
• How should one explain primary precepts in an essay?

  • Use examples from secondary precepts
  • Refer to secondary precepts as you go along
  • Avoid listing primary precepts first
• What is the first primary precept?

  Protect the innocent
• What is a secondary precept that demonstrates how to fulfill the first primary precept?

  Do not abort the unborn
• What is the second primary precept?

  Order society
• How can one order society according to the second primary precept?

  By arranging society so that sexual relationships are orderly
• What is the third primary precept?

  Worship God
• How might one worship God according to the third primary precept?

  By obeying the Ten Commandments or going to church
• What is the fourth primary precept?

  Educate the young
• How can the fourth primary precept be achieved?

  By ensuring school for all or compulsory church visits
• What is the final primary precept?

  Reproduce
• How might one fulfill the final primary precept?

  By refraining from using contraception
• What is significant about the primary precepts?

  They are all in accordance with scripture and available to our reasoning faculties
• What does Aquinas believe about following the primary precepts?

  It is essential for our survival
• How are secondary precepts different from primary precepts?

  They are more relative and formulated according to culture or situation
• What is the purpose of secondary precepts?

  To uphold the primary precepts
• Under what condition can a secondary precept be broken?

  If it upholds a primary precept even more
• What is required to discern the best laws or precepts?

  The use of right reason
• What is an example of when it might be appropriate to suspend a secondary precept?

  When returning a gun to its owner would violate the primary precept to preserve life
• Why is it vital to reason rightly when considering precepts?

  Wrong reasoning could lead to a horrible mistake
• The natural moral law includes principles such as respecting life, telling the truth, avoiding harm, keeping promises, and treating others with justice and fairness.