Natural Moral Law

• Natural Moral Law is often associated with the philosopher Thomas Aquinas and his belief in the existence of a universal moral law derived from God's design.
• Aquinas' purposes were: To reproduce, To learn, To live harmoniously in society, and To worship God.
• Natural moral law is unchanging and universal.
• "Most men seem to live according to sense rather than reason." Thomas Aquinas.
• Aquinas says that everything is created for a particular purpose. This links to the world having been created by God, and as such has God's ultimate purpose as its final end or good.
• It is an absolute and deontological theory.
• Bernard Hoose argues that the natural law still applies in the modern world but should be understood as a list of guidelines rather than moral absolutes.
• Example of primary precepts: Worship God. Secondary precepts: Go to church.
• Natural moral law is a non-consequentialist moral theory.
• Aquinas was greatly influenced by Aristotle.
• Aquinas agreed with Aristotle that everything had a purpose.