lOMoARcPSD|59658805
Natural Moral Law revision
Biological science (University of Oxford)
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Studocu is not sponsored or endorsed by any college or university
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, lOMoARcPSD|59658805
Natural Law
Teleological: Morality based on working out the end result to know what action to take (end sight)
Deontological: Duty based approach; you must always follow your duty in any situation.
Absolutist: The ethical view that certain actions are absolutely right or wrong, regardless of other
contexts such as their consequences or the intentions behind them.
Natural Law is unchangeable and universal- the goods govern all human cultures at all times- valid
for all nations and all times.
Aquinas considered that natural law was the moral code which human beings are naturally inclined
towards. God reveals specific commands but these do not go against Natural Law but rather further
develop it. Aquinas said that the moral like is the life which is lived “according to reason” and acting
in accordance with reason was the same as acting as a Christian would act.
The origins of Aquinas’ Natural Law in Aristotle’s idea of purpose
Natural Law says that everything has a purpose, and that mankind was made by God with a specific
design or objective in mind (although it doesn’t require belief in God). It says that this purpose can
be known through reason. As a result, fulfilling the purpose of our design is the only ‘good’ for
humans. Efficient and final causes: It is Aristotle’s distinction between what gets things done
(efficient cause) and the end product (final cause). With humans, it is the accomplishment of the end
product that equates to ‘good’. An example is sexuality- an efficient cause of sex is enjoyment:
because humans enjoy sex, the species has survived through procreation. However, the final cause
of sex (the thing God designed it for) is procreation. Therefore sex is only good if procreation is
possible.
Aquinas’ ideas of purpose and perfection
The purpose of humans is:
o To live
o To reproduce
o To learn
o To have an ordered society
o To worship God
Reason is used to find out God’s intention and the purpose of human existence and this will enable
one to arrive at the principles of Natural Law. Natural Law says that everything has a purpose, and
that mankind was made by God with a specific design or objective in mind (although it doesn’t
require belief in God). It says that this purpose can be known through reason. As a result, fulfilling
the purpose of our design is the only ‘good’ for humans. Aquinas believed that the 5 primary
precepts are the final purpose for all human beings. This is teleological. These precepts are:
Worship God
Downloaded by olinder seth ()
Natural Moral Law revision
Biological science (University of Oxford)
Scan to open on Studocu
Studocu is not sponsored or endorsed by any college or university
Downloaded by olinder seth ()
, lOMoARcPSD|59658805
Natural Law
Teleological: Morality based on working out the end result to know what action to take (end sight)
Deontological: Duty based approach; you must always follow your duty in any situation.
Absolutist: The ethical view that certain actions are absolutely right or wrong, regardless of other
contexts such as their consequences or the intentions behind them.
Natural Law is unchangeable and universal- the goods govern all human cultures at all times- valid
for all nations and all times.
Aquinas considered that natural law was the moral code which human beings are naturally inclined
towards. God reveals specific commands but these do not go against Natural Law but rather further
develop it. Aquinas said that the moral like is the life which is lived “according to reason” and acting
in accordance with reason was the same as acting as a Christian would act.
The origins of Aquinas’ Natural Law in Aristotle’s idea of purpose
Natural Law says that everything has a purpose, and that mankind was made by God with a specific
design or objective in mind (although it doesn’t require belief in God). It says that this purpose can
be known through reason. As a result, fulfilling the purpose of our design is the only ‘good’ for
humans. Efficient and final causes: It is Aristotle’s distinction between what gets things done
(efficient cause) and the end product (final cause). With humans, it is the accomplishment of the end
product that equates to ‘good’. An example is sexuality- an efficient cause of sex is enjoyment:
because humans enjoy sex, the species has survived through procreation. However, the final cause
of sex (the thing God designed it for) is procreation. Therefore sex is only good if procreation is
possible.
Aquinas’ ideas of purpose and perfection
The purpose of humans is:
o To live
o To reproduce
o To learn
o To have an ordered society
o To worship God
Reason is used to find out God’s intention and the purpose of human existence and this will enable
one to arrive at the principles of Natural Law. Natural Law says that everything has a purpose, and
that mankind was made by God with a specific design or objective in mind (although it doesn’t
require belief in God). It says that this purpose can be known through reason. As a result, fulfilling
the purpose of our design is the only ‘good’ for humans. Aquinas believed that the 5 primary
precepts are the final purpose for all human beings. This is teleological. These precepts are:
Worship God
Downloaded by olinder seth ()
