Natural Moral Law
Subdecks (1)
Cards (26)
- Preceptive part includes general rules such as "Do good" and "Avoid evil."
- It is based on reason, which is innate to all humans.
- Natural moral law is known through conscience, which is an innate sense of right and wrong that guides our actions.
- Natural Moral Law is a deontological theory
- Deontology focuses on the morality of actions rather than their consequences
- NML contextThomas Aquinas - 13th century Catholic priest. As a Catholic, Aquinas believed in the authority of the church and the bible
- Syndersis principleAct in a way that does good and avoids evil
- Primary and secondary preceptsWorship GodOrdered societyReproduceLearnDefend the innocent/preserve lifeSecondary precepts are derived from the primary precepts
- Manualism17th century creation. Made NML more deontological. Big manuals of secondary precepts
- ProportionalismCreated by Hoose and McCormick. They agreed that sometimes, the primary precepts can lead to unloving outcomes. Sometimes, it is acceptable to break the precepts in order for a more loving outcome. 20th century movement.
- The doctrine of double effectAquinas did acknowledge that there would be times when a person could follow the precepts but still end up breaking them. For example, if a pregnant woman with cancer was to receive chemotherapy, but the baby got killed in the process, it would come under 'preserving life' because you were trying to preserve the life of the mother, and the miscarriage is just a secondary effect. Aquinas argues that you've done nothing wrong.
- Strengths of NMLHelps to establish rules that people can follow in societyUniversal system as it relies on reasonThe precepts are commonly acceptedSupports human rights and equalityAllows people to stand firm on moral issuesSecondary precepts act as a guide for moral right and wrongRelated to human nature
- Weaknesses of NMLReason is not universal, other cultures have different standardsIt is outdatedNot everyone believes in GodAquinas should've got some of his assumptions wrong in the bodyAquinas' account of nature is way too simplistic
- NML and AbortionTo save the life of the mother due to double effectLife begins at conception. Preserve life is a primary precept. Do not kill is a secondary precept. Catholic tradition teaches that abortion is always wrong
- NML and Embryo researchCan be used to preserve lifeLife begins at conception, so the embryo is already considered human. Any research that discards embryos is murder. Reproduction should be natural
- NML and euthansia/assisted suicidePain killing drugs may be administered to someone, which may have an accidental secondary effectSelf-preservation is a primary preceptDivine law outlaws suicideCatholic tradition says that suicide is an unforgivable sin
- NML and Designer babiesCan be used to preserve life in the form of a saviour siblingIt is wrong to play God - goes against "worship God"Reproduction should be naturalIt would be wring to bring up a child thinking it was special - "educate children"
- NML and capital punishmentAquinas was in favour of CP as it maintains order and justice in societyCP in the bible "an eye for an eye"The precept of preserving life is only preserving innocent lifeCP was used in 13th century ItalyPreserve life
- NML and capital punishmentAquinas was in favour of CP as it maintains order and justice in societyCP in the bible "an eye for an eye"The precept of preserving life is only preserving innocent lifeCP was used in 13th century ItalyPreserve life
- NML and CloningTherapeutic cloning can be used to create stem cells which can be used to help treat diseases such as leukemiaIt is wrong to play God - "worship God"Reproduction should be naturalAny cloning that destroys embryos is murder because life begins at conception - "defend the innocent"
- Key scholarsThomas Aquinas (C13th) and Hoose (C20th) and McCormick (C20th)