Overview
This lecture introduces Aquinas's Natural Law theory in ethics, contrasting it with Divine Command Theory and exploring its structure, key terms, application, strengths, and weaknesses.
Course & Structure Overview
- Lessons will be delivered through pre-recorded videos, weekly online meetings, and electronic assignments.
- Notes, activities, and regular evaluations are expected for engagement and understanding.
Introduction to Natural Law
- Natural Law is Aquinas's ethical theory focused on behavior, morals, and how one should act.
- Heavily influenced by Aristotle, especially his focus on purpose (telos) and reason.
- Unlike Aristotle (who seeks human flourishing—eudaimonia), Aquinas claims the ultimate human purpose is becoming god-like.
Origins and Key Concepts
- Aristotle: empiricist, believed in purpose and eudaimonia (flourishing).
- Aquinas: adapted Aristotle's ideas but replaced eudaimonia with becoming god-like; purpose is determined by God, discoverable through reason.
- Natural Law opposes Divine Command Theory, aiming for a system anyone can follow, religious or not.
Four Tiers of Law (Hierarchy of Laws)
- Eternal Law: The mind of God, ultimate truth, unknowable to humans.
- Divine Law: Word of God (scripture, church teachings).
- Natural Law: Moral law found in nature, knowable by reason—everyone should "do good and avoid evil" (synderesis rule).
- Human Law: Everyday laws created by people.
Reason and Moral Decision-Making
- Reason is a God-given gift to discern right from wrong and achieve one's ultimate purpose (telos).
- Even non-believers can use reason to follow Natural Law.
Key Natural Law Terms & Processes
- Synderesis: The innate principle to do good and avoid evil.
- Casuistry: Reasoning process to determine the morality of a specific act.
- Conscientia: Applying moral reasoning to action ("conscience in action").
- Real vs. Apparent Goods: Real goods fulfill true human purposes; apparent goods seem right but are mistaken.
- Deontological: Focuses on actions and intentions, not outcomes.
Primary and Secondary Precepts
- Primary Precepts (foundation): preserve life, reproduce, educate the young, live in society, worship God.
- Secondary Precepts: Practical rules derived from primary precepts (e.g., "do not euthanize" derives from "preserve life").
- Primary precepts are absolute and unchanging; secondary precepts are adaptable to culture and context.
Doctrine of Double Effect
- It's permissible to do a good action with a foreseen but unintended bad side-effect if the intention is good (e.g., relieving pain with morphine, which may hasten death).
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Strengths: Universal, reason-based, unites faith and reason, provides clear ethical framework, adaptable through secondary precepts.
- Weaknesses: Ambiguity over what is "natural," can yield unrealistic or harsh outcomes, rigidity, cultural relativism, challenges from evolutionary theory, and debate over the reliability of reason.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Natural Law — Aquinas's theory that moral law is discoverable in nature by human reason.
- Telos — The ultimate purpose or goal of human life.
- Synderesis — The principle to do good and avoid evil.
- Casuistry — The method of resolving moral problems by applying broad principles to specific cases.
- Conscientia — The application of moral reasoning to action.
- Deontological — Ethics based on duty and intention, not consequences.
- Doctrine of Double Effect — Principle allowing actions with both good and bad effects if the bad effect is not intended.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review and make notes on the primary and secondary precepts and their importance.
- Reflect on your evaluation: Are you for or against Natural Law as an ethical system?
- Complete the worksheet activities sent by email.
- Be prepared for discussion and questions in the weekly Friday session.
- Watch for the upcoming lecture on Situation Ethics next week.
- Contact your instructor with questions or for support before Friday.