Natural Law and Divine Command Led by: MIDN Stewart

What is Natural Law to you?

Natural: Natural: Designed through nature Designed through nature Instinctive Instinctive Instilled Morals Instilled Morals Law: Law: Social standards Social standards Binding Rules Binding Rules

Basis Of Natural Law Human moral values Human moral values Religious views Religious views “Golden Rule” “Golden Rule”

Natural Law Declaration of Independence Declaration of Independence FREEDOM of religion FREEDOM of religion Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Jr. End Segregation End Segregation

The Doctrine Of Double Effect Intended effects of an action Intended effects of an action Unintended, but merely foreseen effects Unintended, but merely foreseen effects Example, organ transplant Example, organ transplant Collateral Damage Collateral Damage

ACT A IS the BAD EFFECT DISPROPORTIONATE to the GOOD? Would an ALTERNATIVE ACT AVOID the BAD EFFECT? NO Bad effect is ‘merely foreseen’ side-effect only A is F O R B I D E N A is PERMISSIBLE Is the BAD EFFECT the MEANS of PRODUCING the GOOD EFFECT? YES; Bad effect is INTENDED YES NO Doctrine of Double Effect MENTAL-STATE TEST: Are you aiming at the bad effect? “BaMegDeg” mnemonic : Benign Alternative? Means to Effect that’s Good? Disproportionate to Effect that’s Good?

Principle of Forfeiture Jeffery Dahmer Jeffery Dahmer Forfeit his right to live Forfeit his right to live Does that make it right for state to kill him? Does that make it right for state to kill him? Eye for an eye Eye for an eye

Divine Command Defined: Laws of morality Laws of morality Set by a god or gods Set by a god or gods

What Gives You Strength?

Religion Religion Brotherhood Brotherhood Values Values Etc: Etc:

Case Study: “What to Say” What do you do? What do you do? Let her leave?Let her leave? What do you tell the chaplain? What do you tell the chaplain? Mixing Divine Command and Oath?Mixing Divine Command and Oath? What precedent do you set? What precedent do you set? Do you counsel this young sailor? Do you counsel this young sailor?

How Do These Two Relate? Divine Command Vs Natural Law

You and the Constitution Taking an oath Taking an oath Government’s neutrality Government’s neutrality Justification of decisions Justification of decisions

Questions?