Natural law

• What is the 'LUS' of the law?

  The general principle of the law. - The justice of the law, depends on the circumstance - e.g ectopic pregnancy example. (not abortion, not intentional).
• What is the 'LEX' of the law?


  This is the letter of the law, you have to abide to the law word for word. e.g 'Do not abort' - Primary precepts for the preservation of life.

  Would not allow abortion in ANY circumstance despite there being no intention. (analysis - double effect).
• What are the primary precepts? 


  -Preservation of life

  -Live in a society

  -Reproduce

  -Worship a God

  -Educate offspring

  These all root from synderesis - understand through use of reason
• Who made a modern development of natural law theory? 


  John Finnis
• What are the 'basic forms of human florishing' in John Finnis' modern version? 


  Humans have a purpose, and the 7 basic human goods help us fulfil our purpose or 'human florishing'.

  -Life

  -Knowledge

  -Play

  -Aesthetic experience

  -Friendship

  -Practicle reasoning

  -Religion
• What are some of the 'basic methodological requirements' that support the basic forms of flourishing?
• What are some of John Finnis' 9 requirements of practical reasoning (basic goods in practice)?


  Pursuit of certain goods over others

  Following our own authority and are own conscience

  A coherent plan for our life

  View life as a whole
• What are John Finnis' absolute duties? 


  Not to be charged falsely

  Not to be lied to

  Not to take anothers life - as a means to an end
• What are the principles of the double effect? 


  An act may have more than one effect.

  We need to consider tthe intention and results of an action.

  "Nothing hinders one act from having two effects" - Aquinas
• What are the four conditions that must be met for an act to be justified? 


  1.Act must not be evil within itself

  2.Intention of an act must be good

  3.Good must atleast be equal to evil/proportional

  4. Must be extreme situation
• What is Divine law? 


  That which is revealled by God - e.g the 10 commandments/bible.

  Teaches us what our reason is capable of knowing - (synderysis)
• What does divine law do?

  makes clear, and confirms what we can know by reason
• What is natural law? 


  'Right reason in accordance with nature'. - Cicero

  'Law written on the hearts of men' - St Paul

  Follows direction of eternal law

  'Thinking along the grain of nature' - to work out what is good for human florishing.
• what is human law?


  Regulations for society to keep order, cannot contradict natrual law. - Laws/legal system
• What is eternal law? 


  God’s plan, built into the nature of everything which exists, according to his omnibenevolent nature.
• What does Aquinas beleive moral requirements are knowable by?


  Reason