Natural Law

• Natural law


  A theory in ethics and philosophy that posits the existence of intrinsic values governing human reasoning and behavior
• Natural law refers to laws inherent in life itself, knowable to all people regardless of race or culture
• Natural law is based on the idea that humans possess an intrinsic sense of right and wrong
• Ancient origins of natural law

  • The concepts of natural law trace back to ancient philosophers like Plato and Aristotle
  • Natural law is considered constant across time and cultures due to its foundation in human nature rather than cultural customs
• Stoicism


  A philosophical belief that emphasizes grounding ethics in nature
• Stoic interpretation of natural law

  • Living in accordance with nature leads to wisdom and a sense of calmness
  • Everything follows a set of unchangeable rules and attempting to alter them is futile, leading to interpretations of fatalism
  • The cosmos is regulated by reasonable, unchangeable principles, with everything having a goal or purpose for existing
• Aristotelian conception of natural law

  • Everything in Nature has a purpose
  • Everything in Nature has an essential nature - certain features that constitute its defining features
  • Everything in nature has its proper good
  • Something's natural purpose, its essential nature, and its proper good are intimately related
• The acorn's purpose is to become an oak tree. The whole process of how a thing develops from potentiality to actuality is possible because of the thing's very nature. In a way, natural law is simply "the story of how things work"
• Aristotle asserted that every substance possesses an intrinsic nature or principle of operation, which is dynamic, teleological, and specific
• The capacity to think is our essential characteristic, distinguishing humans from other beings. The activity of thinking, our rationality or intelligence, is natural for us as humans and is what makes us unique
• Law


  A rule or norm which governs nature and/or actions of things
• All beings, both animate and inanimate, are under some form of law. Laws govern various aspects of existence, from planetary movements to biological systems in humans
• Moral law


  A rule of conduct which governs, directs, or regulates the free acts of men
• Thomistic influence on natural law

  • Reason is the source of moral law; it directs us towards the good
  • Do good and avoid evil
  • An action is good when it is done in accordance with conscience. Thus, for a law to be considered one, it should be a product of reason in the most refined sense of the term
• Essential elements for a law to be reasonable

  • It must be just
  • It must be honest
  • It must be possible of fulfillment
  • It must be relatively permanent
  • It must be promulgated
  • It must be directed to the common good
  • It must be promulgated by one who has the care of the community
• Attributes of the natural law

  • The natural law is obligatory
  • The natural law is universal
  • The natural law has its proper sanctions
  • The natural law is knowable or recognizable
  • The natural law is immutable or unchangeable
• Formal norms derived from natural law

  • "Do good and avoid evil"
  • "The Golden Rule"
  • "Be honest"
  • "Be Chaste"
  • "Do not be selfish, proud, vain or foolish"
• In light of the specific and particular natural purpose of an act, anything that deliberately or willfully frustrates the natural outcome of the act must be viewed as ethically wrong
• Natural family planning (rhythm method)


  A technique used to prevent pregnancy that involves abstaining from sexual intercourse during the woman's fertile window
• Different views on contraception

  • Minority view: Contraception goes against God's plan and biological laws; only natural methods are allowed
  • Majority view: Contraception can be acceptable for responsible parenthood, as humans have dominion over their bodies and can prioritize well-being
  • Argument against the rhythm method: Some argue it eliminates conception as the purpose of the conjugal act, making it morally equivalent to other prevention methods
• Premarital sex and having children before marriage are considered immoral by the Church
• The Church is firmly and absolute about premarital sex that must be done within the framework of marriage
• The sexual act as ordered by nature and sanctified by the creator is primarily and essentially meant for procreation and not for recreation
• Homosexual orientation and acts

  Deemed "objectively disordered" and "intrinsically disordered" by the Church, meaning that while homosexual orientation is not sinful, it is considered a strong tendency toward intrinsic moral evil
• Homosexual acts are contrary to natural law and do not involve genuine affective and sexual complementarity
• The Church advocates against civil legislation supporting same-sex marriage, homosexual adoption, and challenges non-discrimination laws based on homosexual orientation and gender
• Homosexual acts are "evil" since they lack the inherent procreative potential of heterosexual relationships
• The Church considers masturbation to be gravely wrong, as using one's sexual organs outside of marital concerns goes against their intended purpose of procreation
• Principle of double effect


  Allows actions with a morally good intended effect and an unforeseen morally evil side consequence under certain conditions
• Conditions of double effect

  • The action in itself from its very object be good or at least indifferent
  • The good effect must directly follow the action, at least as immediately as the bad effect
  • The bad effect should not be intended but rather allowed to occur
  • The good effect must be sufficiently desirable to compensate for the allowing of the bad effect
• Principle of inviolability


  Every human life is infinitely valuable, being a sacred gift from the Creator. Each individual life is of infinite worth and cannot be compared or measured against another
• Utilitarianism


  Judges consequences by a "greatest good for the greatest number" standard
• Hedonism


  Says something is "good" if the consequence produces pleasure or avoids pain
• 4 Conditions of Double Effect

  • The action in itself from its very object be good or at least indifferent
  • The good effect must directly follow the action, at least as immediately as the bad effect, to ensure that the action does not employ poor means to achieve a good objective
  • The bad effect should not be intended but rather allowed to occur. The bad effect is sometimes said to be indirectly voluntary
  • The good effect must be sufficiently desirable to compensate for the allowing of the bad effect
• Principle of Inviolability


  Every human life is infinitely valuable, being a sacred gift from the Creator. No innocent human life can be directly killed or disposed of, making actions like abortion and euthanasia immoral.
• Principle of Forfeiture


  In situations where a person's life is threatened by an attacker, the attacker has forfeited innocence by threatening another's life, justifying self-defense even if it means taking the attacker's life.
• Principle of Totality


  Medical ethics prioritize the well-being of the entire person, including physical, psychological, and spiritual aspects. Healthy organs should not be removed or mutilated, as this would endanger overall health.
• Principle of Stewardship


  Humans are stewards, not owners, tasked with protecting and caring for God's creation, including the environment. Responsibilities include choosing morally right actions, avoiding harm, and taking immediate action if harm occurs.
• Just War Theory


  Follows the Principle of Forfeiture - a person who threatens the life of an innocent automatically forfeits their right to live. Conditions include lawful authority, good intention, reasonable chance of success, right use of means, and proportional response.
• Justification for Rebellion/Revolution


  1. Clear Tyranny

  2. Exhaustion of Peaceful Means

  3. Reasonable Probability of Success

  4. Proportionate Good

  5. Majority Support