1. Chapter 7: Morality and Human Nature
Natural Law Theory
Not the laws of nature
Moral laws – prescriptive in that they tell us how we ought to behave
Civil laws are likewise prescriptive
Historical Origins: Aristotle
An observer of Nature
His teleological view provides a conclusion about human good

2. Chapter 7: continued Evaluating Natural Law Theory
Determination of actions is a result of seeing moral law in human nature
Can the way things are by nature provide a basis for knowing how they ought to be?
Chance, direction, and the purpose of life

3. Chapter 7 continued Natural Rights –
- for example - life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
The long tradition of natural rights in Western philosophy
Evaluating Natural Rights Theory
Differing opinions on what the rights are
Justifying the natural rights
Other notions of human rights

4. Chapter 7: continued Reading: On Natural Law Article 2 Article 3
Self-evident rights
Good and evil have contrasting ends
Article 3
All virtuous acts pertain to the natural law
Article 4
Is there one natural law that fits all?

5. Chapter 7: continued Question 95 Article 2 Article 3
What humans gain from natural law
Article 3
The end of human law is the well being of humans

6. Chapter 7: continued Reading: Second Treatise of Civil Government
To understand political power and its fit with the power of Nature
The execution of the law of Nature is put in all men’s hands to refrain from invading others’ rights
A state of Liberty but not license of Liberty
The power of the magistrate

7. Chapter 7: continued Reading: Existentialism is a humanism
Man is nothing else but what he makes of himself
The meanings of subjectivism
The meaning of anguish
The existence of God in the mind of an existentialist