GE-ETHICS

THE NATURAL
LAW
 ICE
BREAKER
Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
• Angelic Doctor and prince of Scholastic
• Most Important thinkers of the medieval time period
• Depends so heavily on Aristotle
• All actions are directed towards end and that happiness
is the final end.
• Ultimate happiness is not attainable in this life, for
happiness is the present life remains imperfect. True
happiness, then is to be found only in the souls of the
blessed in heaven or in beatitude with God
THE NATURAL LAW
1 An ordinance of reason for the
common good, promulgated
by someone who has care for
the community

2 Rules and Measures

3 Rational patterns or forms

THE NATURAL LAW

"the light of reason is placed by

nature [and thus by God] in
every man to guide him in his
acts.
 1

Eternal Law

• Refers to the rational
plan of God by which all
creation is ordered.
• Eternal law is identical to
the mind of God as seen
by God himself.
• It can be called law
because God stands to
the universe which he
creates as a ruler does to
a community which he
rules.
• When God's reason is
considered as it is
understood by God
Himself, i.e. in its
unchanging, eternal
nature, it is eternal law.
The “good” rests in the mind of God
(Good = eternal, unchanging)
 Natural
Natural law is a theory in ethics and philosophy

Law
that says that human beings possess intrinsic
values that govern their reasoning and behavior.
Natural law maintains that these rules of right
and wrong are inherent in people and are not
created by society or court judges.

Reason Moral law – “to do good

and avoid evil”

3 natural inclination
 3 natural inclination

Self- Just dealing Propagation of

preservation with others human species
3 determinants of moral actions
1. Object of the human act
2. Circumstance
1. Quality of a person (who)
2.Quality or quantity of moral object (what)
3. Circumstance of place (where)
4. Circumstance of means (by what means)
5. Circumstance of end ( why)
6. Manner in which the action is done (how)
7. Time element (when)
3. End
Human Law
-Human law refers to a set of rules and
regulations created and enforced by a society or
government to govern behavior and relationships
among individuals and organizations within that
society or government.

- Human law refers to positives laws.

- According to Aquinas, Human Laws
are subject to change because in
practical matters may allow us to
improve them.
 Divine Law
• Historical law • Old Law ( Old Testament) -
scripture given to Revealed by God to Moses, is
us by Gaod's self- the first stage of revealed law.
revelation It's moral prescriptios is
summed up in the Ten
Commandments.
New Law ( New Testament)

- Perfects the old Law, through the

teachings of Jesus - commands
internal conduct and reaches us by
divine love - promising love and
heavenly rewards.
FURTHER
DISCUSSION
ADVANTAGES
It provides clear-cut rules.

Based on human ability to reason and

doesn’t rely on unpredictable consequences
and emotions.

Creates a link between the creator, our

creation and purpose.

Simple to follow as it assumes that there is

an ideal and universal human nature.
DISADVANTAGES
Fails to consider the situation people find themselves
in and the consequences of an action.

Not everyone bases their moral choices on reason

and not all rational people agree with it.

A non-believer would have no desire to follow a

system based on fulfilling God’s will.

Many question this idea of a universal human nature.

Thank
you!