NATURAL LAW

ETHICS
 NATURAL LAW
DEFINITION
• Refers to the use of reason to analyze human nature to deduce binding rules of moral behavior.

• Natural, real, objective divisions and distinctions.

• Theory which states that human beings possess intrinsic values that govern our reasoning and
behavior.

• Maintains the rules of right and wrong are inherent in people and not created by society or
court judges.

• Believes that our civil laws should be based on morality, ethics, and what is inherently correct
 PLATO ARISTOTLE ZENO OF CITIUM ST. THOMAS OF
(STOICISM) AQUINAS

FRANCISCO SUAREZ JOHN LOCKE IMMANUEL KANT C.S. LEWIS

 -Centrals Aquinas ethics which is the typology of
laws.
C -The theory of natural law believes that our civil
O laws should be based on what is inherently
N correct.
C - For Aquinas, there are four primary types of law:
E 1. Eternal Law
P -rational plan of God by which all creation, is
ordered.
T
2. Natural Law
S -aspect of the eternal law which is accessible
to human reason.
 3. Human Law
C - refers to the positive laws.
O
N 4. Divine Law
C -serves to complement the other types
of law.
E
P
T • Aquinas wrote most extensively about
S natural law. He stated, “the light of reason
is placed by nature [and thus by god] in
every man to guide him in his acts.
 Natural Law vs. Positive Law

C Theory of Natural Law

O - believes that our civil laws should be based
on morality, ethics, and what is inherently
N
correct.
C
E Theory Positive Law or "man-made law"
P - which is defined by statute and common
T law and may or may not reflect the natural
law. 
S
 According to Aquinas, natural law is
knowable by natural reason.
C By virtue of a faculty of moral insight or
conscience that Thomas called synderesis,
O
we also have natural inclinations to some
N specific goods.
C
E Three sets of inclinations according to
P Aquinas
1. To survive
T
2. To reproduce and educate offspring
S 3. To know the truth about God and to
live peacefully in society.
 Features of Human Actions
ASPECTS THROUGH WHICH THE MORALITY OF AN ACT
C CAN BE DETERMINED:
O
1. Species
N -also called the object of the action, for an action to be
C moral it must be good or at least not bad in species.

E 2. Accidents
P -refer to the circumstances surrounding the action. An
action must be considered because an act might be
T flawed through its circumstances.
S
3. End
-stands for the agents intention. An act might be unjust
through its intention.
 HAPINESS, MORAL AND THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES
C
• Aquinas believes that all actions are directed towards ends and that
O happiness is the final end.
N • A person needs a moral character cultivated through the habits of
choice to realize real happiness.
C
E Virtue- “a good habit bearing on activity” or a good facu;ty-habit
Habit- firm dispositions or “hard to eradicate” qualities that dispose us to
P act in a particular manner
T • Acquired Habit- involve consistent deliberate effort
to do an act time and again and despite obstruction
S • Infused Virtues- directly instilled by God in our
faculty
 Kinds of Infused Virtues

Moral Virtues have as their object not God himself, but activites that are
C
less virtuous and inferior to the final end. To this kind belong the four basic
O virtues;
N a) Prudence
C b) Fortitude
E
c) Temperance
P
d) Justice
T
S
Theological Virtues- concerned directly with God
e) Faith
f) Hope
g) Love
SITUATIONAL PROBLEM #1
NATURAL LAW
SITUATIONAL PROBLEM #2
NATURAL LAW
SITUATIONAL PROBLEM #3
NATURAL LAW
SITUATIONAL PROBLEM #4
NATURAL LAW
 MEMBERS
ABUL, LORAINE

DECOLONGON, YRON MARC

FACTOR, ERIHKA

GACASA, ERICK JOHN

GERUNGGAY, JEBERLYN JOY

INSO, KRYSTEL

VILLANUEVA, JOHN LEONARD