NATURAL LAW

Origin: Aristotle & The Stoics ‘The natural is that which is equally valid and depends not on being or not being... It is unchangeable’ NE: Book V Chapter 7 ‘The law is right reason in agreement with nature’ Cicero De Republica III xxii

Aristotle ’ s teleological worldview Everything has a telos or purpose The telos comes from the nature (form, design) of a thing. The efficient cause is anything that brings about the final cause eg going to school (efficient) produces A grades(final) which provides education (telos of human life)

But …… Aristotle sees humans as “rational animals”, so we have reason and animal instincts Only by using our reason can we be moral agents (and knowledge is a natural or intrinisic good) Our reason can frustrate this telos or purpose

Origin: Paul & Romans 2:14-15 Summarise Paul’s argument in your own words “The Gentiles do not have the Law; but they do by instinct what the Law commands, they are their own law, even though they do not have the Law. Their conduct shows that what the commands say, is written in their hearts. Their consciences also show that this is true, since their thoughts sometimes accuse them and sometimes defend them.’

Roman Catholic Church ‘ The natural law, too, declares the will of God and its faithful observation is necessary for men’s eternal salvation.’ Humanae Vitae (4) ‘Every marital act must of necessity retain its intrinsic relationship to the procreation of human life.’ Humanae Vitae (11)

Aquinas Absolutist Deontological But derived from the teleological worldview

“ Law is nothing else than an ordination of reason for the common good put into effect by the person in charge of the community.’ II; Q.90 Art 4

Aquinas’ Formulation “DO GOOD AND AVOID EVIL”  General teleological principle  Innate  Reasonable  Eternal law revealed by reason & the Bible, also observable in nature

Primary Precepts There are five: Self – preservation Continuation of the species through reproduction Educate children Live in society Worship God

Q. Which of these observable goods would you accept today? You are a Martian landing in the UK. Would you observe humans pursuing these five ends (five good things)? Which end(s) would you change? Can you change it/them to something similar, but more up to date?

Secondary Precepts Are an application of the primary precepts Exercise: draw three columns. Head them “precepts”, “good things to do”, “evil things to avoid”. Start with the 5 precepts and finish the table.

Self preservation :  Do not murder  Do not abort unborn  Defend the weak  Do not commit suicide

How do we interpret the application of the primary precept ? Continuation of species  Sex is for reproduction, Therefore, contraception is wrong.

What if sex is not just for reproduction?

What if the function of sex is also : a). Pleasure b). Human bonding ??

a false inference …….. Sex may not be just for reproduction We can observe sex having more purposes If so…the inference is false…from natural law itself!! It’s based on partial observation of the telos of sex

Ultimate purpose: To reach eternal destiny with God “ Man needs to be directed to his supernatural end in a higher way.” II.i.Q91 art 4 Reason identifies this, and so we should not be enslaved by our desires.

We ’ re work-in-progress …… Humans are work in progress to achieve our ultimate end or telos. This ultimate end is to flourish as human beings (Greek: eudaimonia = flourishing) We can use our reason (God-given) to derive and interpret the design imprinted naturally (in nature..hence NATURAL LAW)