Natural Law

• What are the four tiers of law according to Aquinas' Natural Law ethics?


  Eternal law, Divine law, Natural law, Human law
• What does Aquinas mean by Eternal law?


  Eternal law is God's mind and omnibenevolent plan for the universe, which is beyond our understanding.
• What is Divine law according to Aquinas?


  Divine law refers to the laws found in the Bible.
• How does Aquinas define Natural law?


  Natural law is the orientation towards the good built into our nature by God.
• What is Human law in Aquinas' framework?

  Human law consists of the laws we make, which should follow the natural and divine law.
• What is the telos according to Aquinas?

  The telos is our purpose to glorify God by following the primary precepts of natural law.
• What is synderesis in Aquinas' ethics?


  Synderesis is the ability to know first the synderesis rule: to do good and avoid evil.
• What are the primary precepts of natural law according to Aquinas?


  The primary precepts are to preserve human life, reproduce, educate, maintain an orderly society, and worship God.
• What is the process of conscientia in Aquinas' ethics?


  Conscientia is the application of the primary precepts to moral actions/situations to form a secondary precept.
• How would Aquinas classify euthanasia based on the primary precept to preserve human life?


  Aquinas would classify euthanasia as wrong because it goes against the primary precept to preserve human life.
• What is the principle of double effect in Aquinas' ethics?


  The principle of double effect states that an action with two effects is morally acceptable if the good effect is intended and the bad effect is beside the intention.
• What condition must be met for the bad effect in the principle of double effect to be acceptable?

  The bad effect must not be an intrinsic evil, such as killing an innocent person or adultery.
• What critique does J.S. Mill offer regarding Natural Law ethics?


  Mill argues that the divine law of the Bible, especially the Old Testament, was relevant only in an ancient, more barbaric time.
• How does Aquinas' reasoning reflect the socio-economic conditions of his time?


  Aquinas' reasoning reflects the dire socio-economic conditions of his time, such as high murder rates and the need for strict rules against killing.
• What does the critique of Aquinas being outdated imply about his Natural Law ethics?

  The critique implies that Aquinas' Natural Law ethics may no longer be relevant due to changes in socio-economic conditions and moral reasoning.
• What is the modern scientific view on telos according to the study material?


  The modern scientific view is that there is no evidence for purpose/telos, as science can explain everything without needing the concept of purpose.
• Who claimed that the concept of telos is unscientific during the Enlightenment period?

  Francis Bacon claimed that the concept of telos is unscientific.
• What does physicist Sean Carroll conclude about purpose in the universe?


  Sean Carroll concludes that purpose is not built into the architecture of the universe.
• How does modern science explain the growth of an acorn into an oak tree?

  Modern science explains it through material and efficient causation, specifically the DNA of the acorn.
• What is the counterargument regarding the importance of purpose in human life?

  Polkinghorne argues that while science explains the 'what', it does not explain the 'why', indicating that purpose is still important.
• What does Max Tegmark argue about the future of scientific explanations for existence?


  Tegmark argues that one day scientists might explain why the universe exists, reducing the 'why' to non-teleological scientific concepts.
• What does Richard Dawkins argue about the existence of a 'why' in the universe?


  Dawkins argues that just because it is possible to ask the question 'why', that doesn’t mean there actually is a 'why'.
• What critique does Fletcher offer regarding Aquinas' approach to cross-cultural moral variation?

  Fletcher argues that Aquinas' approach fails to account for cross-cultural moral differences, suggesting that culture and social conditioning shape moral views.
• How do psychologists like Freud and Skinner view moral decision-making in relation to Aquinas' theory?


  Freud and Skinner suggest that moral decision-making is influenced by culture and social conditioning rather than an inherent telos.
• What is Aquinas' response to the critique of moral disagreement across cultures?


  Aquinas would argue that despite disagreement, there is still a core set of moral views shared by all cultures that align with the primary precepts.
• What does Richard Dawkins argue about the origins of our moral sense?


  Dawkins argues that our moral sense partly comes from evolution, which programmed us with empathy and behaviors advantageous for a herd species.
• How does Aquinas' supernatural explanation of moral agreement compare to scientific explanations?


  Aquinas' supernatural explanation is seen as unnecessary when scientific analysis of nature and nurture can explain moral decision-making.
• What is the strength of Aquinas' moral theory according to the study material?


  Aquinas' moral theory is strengthened by its foundation in natural theology, as suggested by St. Paul in Romans.
• What is Karl Barth's critique of natural theology?


  Karl Barth critiques natural theology for placing an overreliance on human reason, which he believes is corrupted by original sin.
• What does Barth mean by "the finite has no capacity for the infinite"?


  Barth means that our finite minds cannot fully comprehend God's infinite nature.
• What is the danger of relying on human reason to know God, according to Barth?


  The danger is that we may gain a false view of God and potentially worship something earthly, leading to idolatry.
• How does Aquinas respond to Barth's critique regarding the use of reason?


  Aquinas responds by stating that reason can know the lesser natural law within our nature, not God's infinite eternal law.
• What do proportionalists argue about the double effect in natural law?


  Proportionalists argue that the double effect does not make natural law flexible enough for moral decision-making.
• What do proportionalists conclude about actions that cause ontic good compared to ontic evil?

  Proportionalists conclude that if an action causes a greater balance of ontic good compared to ontic evil, it is morally justified, even if it goes against the primary precepts.
• What is Pope John Paul II's stance on proportionalism?


  Pope John Paul II rejected proportionalism, arguing it is an invalid development of true natural law ethics.
• What does Pope John Paul II argue is the true purpose of natural law?


  Pope John Paul II argues that the true purpose of natural law is our intentional alignment with God's moral law.
• How does Pope John Paul II view the importance of following God's moral law?

  Pope John Paul II views following God's moral law as more important than securing our happiness or lives.
• What is the evaluation of Pope John Paul II's argument regarding Christian ethics?

  The evaluation suggests that if God has decreed certain laws, it is right to follow them regardless of personal consequences.
• What moral dilemma does Fletcher present regarding traditional natural law ethics?


  Fletcher presents a dilemma where a family must choose between killing their crying baby or risking being discovered and killed by bandits.
• What does the evaluation of Fletcher's example suggest about traditional natural law ethics?


  The evaluation suggests that traditional natural law ethics may not adequately address the presence of ontic evil in our fallen world.