Binalonan, Pangasinan

College of Accountancy and Business Administration

Second Semester, A.Y. 2021-2022
Module 9
St. Thomas Aquinas: Natural Law and Its Tenets

Course Title: Ethics

Course Code: GE 8

Name: Kyla E. de Ver

Course and Year: BSBA 1-F

I. Activity/Application

Activity 9: Essay

1. Research and enumerate at least five (5) criticisms or problems with Natural Law by Thomas Aquinas.

A. One of the difficulties for natural law theory is that people have different interpretations of nature?
Should this be the case if, as natural law theory asserts, the moral law of human nature is knowable
through natural human reason?

B. Even if we have certain natural proclivities, are we justified in claiming that those proclivities or
tendencies should be developed? For example, on what grounds do we justify that we should choose
the good?

C. It is difficult to reconcile moral principles advocating adultery, rape, homosexuality, and so on with
biological facts about human nature or facts about the inherent nature of Homo sapiens.

D. Two philosophers (Aquinas and Aristotle) who are central to the theory hold opposing views on God’s
role in nature, which complicates the issue, especially when determining whether the theory is based on
the existence of God.

E. The intrinsic nature of humans in terms of establishing laws of behaviour may differ from that of
animals, which complicates the theory.

2. Discuss Natural Law and its relevance to you as a free person.

  Natural law is a philosophical and ethical theory that holds that humans have inherent values that govern
their reasoning and behaviour. The rules of right and wrong are inherent in people, according to natural law,
and are not imposed by society or court judges.

II. Assessment

Happiness is and will be through the moral virtues because there is no happiness without virtue and no
virtue without self-struggle. Aquinas, following Aristotle, holds that there are basic virtues that need to be
developed first as the foundation of other moral virtues. Their perfection leads to the strength of one’s
character.

a. There are four cardinal virtues that leads to the strength of one’s character. In application, choose among these
four cardinal virtues (prudence, courage, justice, temperance) you think should be exercised and developed by
the following professions?

1. Nurse: Temperance
Reason: Temperance is defined as a practitioner’s habitual disposition toward the responsible use of power
for the benefit of patients, including safeguarding patients against under treatment abandonment and
overtreatment.

2. Lawyer: Courage
Reason: Great lawyers are recognized by their courage. A good lawyer thinks deeply, speaks persuasively,
and writes persuasively.

3. Doctor: Compassion
Reason: Patients frequently experience anxiety and stress in addition to their pain or illness, and they need
to know that their practitioner understands their concerns and is dedicated to achieving the best possible
result.

4. Engineer: Prudence
Reason: Engineering provides services to a variety of private and public clients, as well as self-motivated,
open-minded professionals who have demonstrated proficiency in the fundamental principles of their field.

5. Teacher: Fairness
Reason: Fairness in the classroom not only earns respect for the teacher, but it also gives students a sense
of safety and trust in the classroom.

III. Other References

1. Makie, Gleemoore C., Ethics: Flourishing Life, Research, Statistics, Business Consultancy and Publishing
Company, 2020
2. Pasco M. O., Suàrez V. F., Rodriguez A. G., “Ethics” C&E Publishing, Inc., 2018
3. Bulaong O., Calano M., Lagliva A., Mariano M., Principe J., “Ethics: Foundation of Moral Valuation”, 1st
edition, REX Book Store, 2018
4. Ramos, Carmela, “Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person”, (1st edition), REX Book Store,
2016