Natural law

• Who developed Natural Law ?

  Aquinas
• What is humans telos according to Aquinas?

  To achieve perfection to become closer to God
• Who supports the Natural Law theory ?

  Aristotle
• What does Aristotle believe about telos?

  • Every object has a purpose + function (4 causes)

  • Everything acts and moves towards its purpose (PM)
• What is humans telos according to Aristotle?

  to be a reasoning creature and use reason to behave morally (only then telos is fulfilled)
• What does ’Eudemonia’ stand for ?

  Happiness
• Why do humans pursue goals according to Aristotle ?

  To achieve eudemonia
• What are the 4 types of law?

  1)Eternal law

  2)Divine law

  3)Natural law

  4)Human law
• Explain eternal law

  Laws of right and wrong that God designed when creating the universe
• What type of law is - ‘Gods law revealed to humanity‘

  Divine law
• What type of law is - ‘facts about right and wrong that humans understand using reasoning‘

  Natural law
• Explain human law 


  Legal laws created by humans
• Give an example for ‘Divine law‘

  10 commandments
• Give an example of ‘Eternal law‘

  Sancity of life
• Give an example of ‘Human law’

  Speed limits
• Give an example for ‘Natural law’

  It’s seen as wrong to steal
• What is ‘law’ according to Aquinas

  Something that directs humans towards telos
• According to Aquinas why is law good

  • Guides us to do the right thing

  • Benefits all people

  • are logical
• Why are eternal laws considered the greatest?

  Because God is omniscient + omnipotent
• What is believed to be a gift from God that helps us understand good and evil?

  The ability to reason
• Why is reason important according to Aquinas?

  Helps us discover + follow God's laws
• Explain apparent goods?

  Actions that seem good but actually cause more harm than good
• Explain real goods

  Actions which help us achieve our telos
• What are the 5 primary precepts

  W - worship God

  O - orderly society

  R - reproduce to continue species

  L - learn through (religious)

  education

  D - defend innocent life
• Why should we follow the Primary Precepts

  Leads us towards our telos
• What are Secondary Precepts ?

  Rules that humans can devise from using reason to help follow the Primary Precepts
• What are Primary Precepts ?

  The fundamental principles of natural law
• Explain ‘double effect‘ 


  When a good action results in a bad outcome, it’s not morally wrong
• How does Joseph’s Mangans view on ‘self defence’ support the double effect? (+ao2)

  Self defence is acceptable if there’s a good enough reason for the ‘evil‘ outcome
• What are the four criteria of the double effect?

  1. Good will - intent of action can’t be evil
  2. Immediacy - Good effect must be immediate
  3. Means - Cant use evil actions for good effect
  4. Proportionality - Good must outweigh the evil
• How does Polkinghorne use science to positively criticise natural law? (+ao2)

  Science cant answer questions about purpose therefore cannot rule out existence of God/PM (which prove telos)
• How are Aquinas Secondary precepts seen as useful (+ao2)

  They are flexible, practical and universal when used with the Primary precepts
• How does the Pope positively criticise natural law? (+ao2)

  Its not outdated and serves an important function in society
• What does Russel argue about purpose? (-ao2)

  • Universe = brute fact

  • There’s no God = our existence is only through chance
• Who supports Russels view on Natural Law and why ? (xao2)

  • Charles Darwin - Evolution/Natural selection

  • Because it’s provides evidence for humans telos of survival
• Why do some consider the view of purpose too subjective? (xao2)

  We don’t have an agreement on right and wrong
• Why does Mill believe natural law to be outdated? (xao2)

  It doesn't fit into modern society
• What’s Mills example which supports his point regarding Natural Law? (xao2)

  Medival society = chaotic + needed strict principles whereas modern society no longer needs them