THE ETHICA L T H E OR Y

OF NATU R A L L A W

Y N L . MA DULA R A
NEOFENHAE JERIL
NATURAL LAW THEORY
• Refers to the general view that
moral rules and principles are
objective and universal truths
that can be discovered in the
nature of things.

• Natural law tradition

• To know what morality demands,
we need only to look to our
nature – human nature – and ask
what it requires.
 “Morality is not found in esoteric realm but rather relies
on what can be known from a reflective investigation and deep
scrutiny of human nature by our mental faculties.”
( Mackinnon 1998:75)
• Natural law refers to the laws that are built into the nature
itself and thus knowable to all people in all societies.

•Reason- “built in” in all of us

 ARISTOTELIAN
INFLUENCE

• In Aristotle’s view, however the

point applies equally well to
inanimate nature.
• E.G. Acorn(hard fruit of an oak tree) –
oak tree
• Potentiality to actuality- the whole
process of development made possible
by its nature.
 Aristotle believes that everything exists in
nature serves some particular and specific
purpose.
WHAT ARE THE NATURAL
TENDENCIES OF MAN?
1. Self -Preservation Or Survival- Natural in Man
2. Propagation Of Our Species- To Produce
Offspring
3. To Live in Peace and Harmony- We don’t
want to live in chaos and disorder.
4. To Seek for Truth and Knowledge of Good
 THE NATURAL TENDENCIES OF MAN

1. Self-Preservation Or Survival- Natural In Man

2. Propagation Of Our Species- To Produce
Offspring
3. To Live In Peace And Harmony- We Don’t Want
To Live In Chaos And Disorder.
4. To Seek For Truth And Knowledge Of God
 SPECIFIC ETHICAL PRINCIPLES UNDER
NATURAL LAW THEORY

• Principles of Double Effect.

• The Principle of the Inviolability of Life
• The Principle of Forfeiture
• The Principle of Totality
• The Principle of Stewardship
• The Just War Theory
• Justified Rebellion
PRINCIPLES OF DOUBLE EFFECT
•Principles of Double Effect are situations in life
wherein good and bad effects or consequences of an act
are both present and unavoidable.
• Actions are morally justified or permissible as long as
certain conditions are met or satisfied.
ECTOPIC PREGNANCY
THE FOUR CONDITIONS UNDER THE
PRINCIPLES OF DOUBLE EFFECT
1. The action intended, in and of itself must be
good or at least morally indifferent or neutral.
2. The evil effect must not be directly intended
but morally allowed only as regrettable side issue
(side effect).
3. The evil effect must not be the means by which
good effect is achieved.
4. The good effect must outweigh the evil effect
or at least proportional.
THE PRINCIPLE OF THE
INVIOLABILITY OF LIFE
• The principle springs from the religious belief that life,
any human life, is of infinite value as it is a sacred and
precious gift from almighty creator.

• No one’s life is more important or valuable than others.

• Inviolability means that no innocent human life can be
directly killed and disposed.
• Every life no matter how it is lived, has an equal worth
and dignity to every other.

(Life of a criminal = upright person)

(Rich = poor)
(Mother = Baby)
THE PRINCIPLE OF
FORFEITURE
• The innocent person whose life is put in extreme risk by
an intruder in this case can apply the principle of
forfeiture as an act of self-defence.
• Even though you might have to kill your would-be
assailant, it is morally justified in the first place your
would-be assailant has forfeited his innocence by
threatening yours (Harris 1997:104).
PRINCIPLE OF TOTALITY
•Is often used by medical practitioners
•If there is a defect parts of your body it must
be sacrifice or remove for the sake of the
whole body.
•Removal of disease organ is permissible.
•Removal of organs- immoral if for
commercial - e.g. Kidney, heart etc…
•Tells us that it must no be for sale.
PRINCIPLE OF STEWARDSHIP
• Based on religion.
•We are just steward of our life.
•We humans must take care of our body.
•We have no right to change our body
therefore we must accept what we have.
•Suicide, euthanasia is morally wrong
because life is under your care, you must be
responsible.
JUST WAR THEORY
•War is defined as “a condition of armed and
active hostility between two or more nations.
•Defending your country using the principle of
forfeiture.
•Defensive kind of war – a self defence.
Conditions To Have Defensive War Against
Other Country.
 1. Lawful authority
2. Just cause
3. Last resort
4. Good intention
5. Reasonable chance of success
6. Right use of means
7. Proportional response
JUSTIFIED REBELLION AND
REVOLUTION
• Rebellion- unlawful apprising of the citizens
against their government.
Condition for Justified Rebellion and
Revolution
1. When there is a clear and manifest long tyranny and
oppression.
2. When all peaceful and legal means to resolve the
problem were all exhausted.
3. When there is a reasonable probability that the
revolt will be a success.
Condition for Justified Rebellion and Revolution
1. When there is a clear and manifest long standing tyranny
and oppression.
2. When all peaceful and legal means to resolve the
problem were all exhausted.
3. When there is a reasonable probability that the revolt will
be a success.
4. When the good to be achieved is well proportionate or of
the same weight to the damage that would be inflected.
5. The decision to wage a violent revolt against the
government should come from the majority and not just
from a few private individuals.
THE END