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Summary - H573/02 Religion and Ethics - Natural Law
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Notes covering the H573/02 Religion and Ethics topic of Natural Law, with explanation and notes covering all the necessary content for the exams.
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Dillon Precious Natural LawLaws of Nature vs Natural Law:
Laws of Nature – Universal laws of science (analysing the physical world).
o E.g., Einstein and the Theory of Relativity, gravity.
o Descriptive: what it is.
Natural Law – Moral law, concerned more with how humans ought to behave.
o E.g., Reflection and rationality.
o Prescriptive: what one ought to do.
o “Natural Law is the rational understanding and following of God’s final purpose” –
Mel Thompson, Teach Yourself Ethics.
Origins of Natural Law:
Aristotle (Teleological approach):
o Final cause or purpose.
o Anything that prevents or interferes with the purpose for which something is
created is wrong.
o We share qualities with other animals.
o What distinguishes us is our ability to be rational.
o Causes (only two are relevant):
Efficient: the agent that brings something about.
Final: the final aim or purpose of something.
A bad action is one in which the final cause is not achieved.
By following reason rather than desire humans can fulfil their natural, intended end
purpose.
Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274):
He studied / plagiarised the work of Aristotle.
Roman Catholic – God created everything with a sense of purpose (a rational basis for
Christian morality). Inherent divine design in nature may be discovered by human reason.
Absolute Morality:
o Natural Law must be followed without question whatever the circumstances.
o There is no flexibility.
o A good action is one which was achieved by fulfilling the purpose for which it was
designed.
How do you apply natural law? “Reason and the regularities of the natural world should be
your guide” – Peter Mullen.
“In matters of action it is the most shameful to act against things as determined in nature” –
Aquinas (E.g., according to Aquinas: masturbation, homosexuality, and contraception is
worse than rape, incest, and adultery).
Natural Law was not the only law that Aquinas promoted, as he believed in Eternal Law and
Divine Law.
o Eternal Law: refers to the principles by which God governs the Universe, so we know
or understand only partially.
o Divine Law: refers to the Bible, which guides us in reaching our goal of perfection.
However, Aquinas thought that this was only attainable after death.
o Natural Law is the part of Eternal Law that applies to human choices.
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