Republic of the Philippines

SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY

Tayabas City Campus

Subject: GEC09 – Ethics

Discussants Name/s:
Buela, Mylene
Fabie, Ruschelle Faye D.
Ramos, Ron Dave
Course Year & Section: BSIT - CPT II
Topic: Natural Law

I. Objectives:

1. To be able to recognize how Thomas Aquinas made use of ancient Greek concepts to
provide a rational grounding to an ethical theory based on the Christian faith;
2. To be able to understand the phenomenon of morality and to define natural law;
3. To be able to know the relation of natural law to human dignity, as well as the
concept of intrinsic evil and natural law criticism.

II. Focus Group Discussion:

 Brief introduction about Thomas Aquinas

Saint Thomas Aquinas was born in 1225 in Roccassecca, Italy. He came from rich
and powerful noble family and was set to take a religious career. At the age of 5,
Thomas began his education the monks until he was 13. He continued his studies at the
University of Naples and by the age of 19, he joined Dominican order. The castle of
Monte San Giovanni Campano is where Thomas was held by his family to stop him from
joining the Dominicans.
 Summa Theologica

 Arguments in proving the existence of God using reason.

 Discusses topics central to Christian morality, Ethics, Law, and the life of Christ.
 3 parts and each part is that is divided in questions and then questions are
further divided into articles.

 Natural Law of Saint Thomas Aquinas

The source of the moral law is “Reason” that direct us towards the “Good”.
According to Aquinas, the main goal of person’s action is the “Good” and it is in human
nature. This is why the main purpose of Natural Law is “to do good, and avoid evil”.
  Conscience

1. Self – preservation
2. Just dealing with others
3. Propagation of human species

 Four Types of Natural Law of Saint Thomas Aquinas

1. Eternal Law
 God’s rational purpose and plan for all things.
 It has always been a part of God.

2. Natural Law
 An internal rule that we intrinsically recognize.
 People do not need to learn that we should pursue good and avoid evil.

3. Human Law

4. Devine Law
 “Revealed Guidance”
 The Devine Law will enlighten us of what is moral.

III. References:
https://philonotes.com/2022/05/natural-law-ethics-st-thomas-aquinass-christian-ethics
https://medium.com/@teresalee_94155/what-is-the-eternal-law-divine-law-natural-law-and-
human-law-d04313acf742