Christian Lee Avin B.

Evaristo BSLM 1A
ETH 101 | Mr. David Floyd Roxas June 18, 2021

Summary Outline:
Natural Law by Thomas Aquinas

A. Whether There is an Eternal Law?

- The first objection states that there is no eternal law because every law is supposed to
be imposed on an individual, but there’s no other eternal individual than God therefore
no law is eternal.
- The second objection added that the declaration of a law is needed for a law to
become official, therefore if there is no one to declare an eternal law to then there is no
eternal law.

A.1 Aquinas’ Reponses

- Aquinas response to the first objection states that the eternal law is set by God as he
is eternal and he knows how the universe will be in the future.
- His response to the second objection argues that the Divine Word and the writing of
the Book of Life are both eternal and is promulgated in both words and in writing.

B. Whether There is Natural Law in Us, Humans?

- The first objection states that “the eternal law is that by which it is right that all things
should be most orderly” but nature does not abound to these therefore no law is natural
to man.
- The second objection states that rational beings such as man acts for an end by his
reason and will therefore no law is natural to man.
- The third objection states that since other animals are not subjected to a natural law,
neither is man subjected to one.
B.1 Aquinas’ Responses
- Aquinas’ response to the first statement was that there is no difference with the natural
law and the eternal law, thus nullifying the argument of the first objection.
- His response to the second statement was that every act’s reasoning are based on
principles that are naturally known to man. And His response to the third statement was
that every irrational being also partake in the grand scheme of life based on the Eternal
Reason.

C. Whether All Acts of Virtue are Prescribed by the Natural Law?

- The first objection states that not all acts of virtue are prescribed by the natural law
because it is essential to a law that it is directed towards the common good but acts of
virtue are directed towards the private food of an individual. Additionally, the second
objection states that if all acts of virtue are prescribed by the natural law then all sins,
which are acts opposed of virtue, are against nature as well. And lastly, the third
objection states that the things according to nature are common to all, but acts of virtue
are virtuous to one and may be vicious to another.

C.1 Aquinas’ Responses

- According to Aquinas, temperance, like other virtues, is ordained to the natural
common good.

D. Whether the Natural Law can be Changed?

- The first objection states that based on the gloss of the text Ecclus. 17:9 says that “he
wished the law of the letter to be written, in order to correct the law of nature…”
therefore because what is corrected can be changed, the natural law can be changed.
The second and third objection states that God, himself, has commanded acts that is
not in line with the natural law.

D. Aquinas’ Responses
- Aquinas believes that a change in the natural law may be understood in the way of
addition and subtraction. He argues that the written law is given for the correction of the
natural law to supply further support to the natural law. Additionally, God has not
strayed away from the natural law with any certain commands for his words are the
natural law.