Introduction to Natural

Law
 THOMAS AQUINAS
 ROMAN CATHOLIC
ABSOLUTE MORALITY
 WHAT IS MEANT BY NATURAL
LAW?
 “Natural Law is the rational
understanding and following of God’s
final purpose.”
(Mel Thompson – ‘Teach Yourself Ethics)
 God created everything for a purpose.
 Humans were created with the ability to
reason and can therefore choose to
follow an intended purpose.
THE ORIGINS OF NATURAL LAW

 Aristotle
 Greek philosopher
 Final Cause or
purpose
 Anything that
prevents or
interferes with the
purpose for which
something is created
is wrong.
THOMAS AQUINAS
1225 - 1274
 He studied the
work of Aristotle.
 Roman Catholic –
God created
everything with a
sense of purpose.
 A rational basis
for Christian
morality.
 Efficient cause – the agent that
brings something about.
e.g. - being sexually attractive
 Final cause – the final aim or
purpose of something
e.g. – the procreation of children
 A bad action is one in which the
natural cause or purpose is not
 ABSOLUTE MORALITY
 Natural Law must be followed without
question whatever the circumstances or
the situation.
 There is no flexibility – a human must
work out (rationalise) if an action fulfils
it’s purpose in nature.
 A good action is one which was achieved
by fulfilling the purpose for which it
was designed.
How to apply Natural Law?
 “Reason and the
regularities of the
natural world should
be your guide.”
(Peter Mullen)
 The four cardinal

virtues: -
Prudence
Justice
Fortitude
Temperance
 The opposite of the four cardinal
virtues and the seven deadly sins
 Pride
 Avarice
 Lust
 Envy
 Gluttony
 Anger
 Sloth
 Primary Precepts

 These are general such as to worship

God and to love one’s neighbour.
 These are inflexible
 “The first principles of Natural Law are
altogether unalterable.”
 Primary Precepts
 Preserve Life
 Procreate
 Educate
 Life peacefully in society
 Worship God
 Secondary Precepts
 These are more  “It’s secondary
specific such as to precepts…though
only have one they are unalterable
husband or wife. in the majority of
cases…can
 They have to be
nevertheless be
interpreted in the
changed on some
context of the particular and rare
situation. occasion.”
 There is some
flexibility
 What are the strengths?
 Based on reason
 Good guidance is given on how to behave
 It is an example of absolute morality
 It is a clear cut theory
 It is straightforward
 There is no need to look at each
individual situation to work out if an
action is right or wrong
 What are the weaknesses of
Natural Law?
 It is inflexible
 It is based on a perceived sense of
purpose within nature
 It is based on the assumption that we
are rational human beings
 It is based on a belief in a creator God
 It takes no account of individual
circumstances or situations
 How to apply Natural Law
A middle aged man has
a heart condition and
needs a new heart
valve. Is it natural
to do this or should
the man be allowed
to die naturally
without medical
intervention?
 Two adults of the
same sex are living
together as a
settled and happy
couple. They decide
that they want a
family to make their
relationship
complete. They
decide to adopt a
child. It this morally
right?
 ESSAY
 A, Outline the theory of Natural Law.
(15 marks)

 B, “Natural Law is compatible with

Christian Ethics.” Evaluate this view.
(10 marks)