Natural Law Theory: Crash Course Philosophy #34

Summary

This video script explores Thomas Aquinas' Natural Law Theory, which argues that God designed humans with an inherent understanding of what is good, known as the 'basic goods.' Aquinas believed we naturally seek self-preservation, reproduction, community, and knowledge, all leading us to follow God's moral laws. The script discusses how Aquinas' ideas influenced Catholic and Protestant teachings, while also examining criticisms such as the 'is-ought' problem posed by David Hume. Ultimately, it highlights how instinct and reason guide us toward morality, while recognizing the theory’s limitations.

Takeaways

• 📜 Thomas Aquinas was a key philosopher of the 13th century, focusing on morality and its universal importance.
• 🤔 Aquinas introduced Natural Law Theory, stating that God pre-programmed us with tools to understand what is good.
• 🌍 Natural law is based on the idea that God's creation has predictable, goal-driven systems that sustain life and guide us to good actions.
• 💡 The 'basic goods' are seven instinctual desires: self-preservation, reproduction, educating offspring, seeking God, living in community, avoiding offending others, and shunning ignorance.
• 🧠 Reason helps humans understand and derive natural laws from the basic goods, meaning we don't need religious texts to recognize moral truths.
• ⛪ Aquinas' natural law theory is influential in both Catholic and Protestant traditions, shaping views on morality and purpose.
• ❓ Natural law answers why people don't always follow God's plan: ignorance or emotions overpower reason, leading to mistakes.
• ⚖️ A major critique of natural law comes from David Hume's 'is-ought' problem, which argues it's fallacious to derive moral duties from natural instincts.
• 🔍 Critics also challenge the application of natural law to things like sex and reproduction, asking if reproduction is always 'good' or necessary.
• 🧐 Despite its influence, natural law theory faces philosophical objections, leading later philosophers like Immanuel Kant to search for alternatives.

Q & A

Who was Thomas Aquinas, and why is he considered significant in philosophy?

Thomas Aquinas was an Italian Christian monk and a prominent philosopher of the 13th century. He is significant for his contributions to moral philosophy, especially his development of Natural Law Theory, which has had a lasting influence on Catholic and Protestant thought.

What is the main question that concerned Aquinas regarding morality?

Aquinas was concerned with how people could follow God's moral rules—known as divine commands—if they had no knowledge of God or the Bible. He sought to explain how morality could be universal despite this ignorance.

What is Natural Law Theory according to Aquinas?

Natural Law Theory, according to Aquinas, is the idea that God preloaded all humans with the tools needed to know what is good. It suggests that by using reason, people can derive moral laws from natural instincts and the basic goods designed by God.

What are the 'basic goods' as proposed by Aquinas?

The basic goods are fundamental desires that Aquinas believed all creatures are built to seek. For humans, these include self-preservation, reproduction, educating offspring, knowing God, living in society, avoiding ignorance, and maintaining harmony with others.

How does Aquinas believe humans recognize and follow the natural law?

Aquinas believed humans instinctively recognize the basic goods through their desires and survival instincts. By using reason, they can derive natural laws from these goods, like prohibitions against killing and promoting the well-being of others.

What are some challenges or criticisms of Natural Law Theory?

Critics of Natural Law Theory, such as philosopher David Hume, raise issues like the is-ought problem, which questions the assumption that because something exists in nature, it ought to be considered good. Other challenges include ethical dilemmas around instincts like survival and reproduction, which can sometimes lead to morally questionable actions.

How does Aquinas explain why people violate natural law despite its intuitive nature?

Aquinas explained that people violate natural law due to ignorance or emotions overpowering their reason. Sometimes they mistakenly pursue what they think is good, or emotional impulses lead them to act against their better judgment.

How does Natural Law Theory address the grounding problem in moral philosophy?

Natural Law Theory grounds morality in God's creation of the natural order. According to Aquinas, following natural law is beneficial because it aligns with the purpose God intended for humans and makes their lives function better.

What are the positive and negative laws derived from the basic goods?

For each basic good, there are both prohibitions and positive injunctions. For example, the prohibition 'Do not kill' corresponds to a positive injunction to promote life, which can involve caring for the sick or making healthy choices.

How does Aquinas view the relationship between religion and understanding natural law?

Aquinas believed that humans do not need religious teachings, such as the Bible, to understand natural law. Instead, he argued that natural law is evident through instincts and reason, making it accessible to all, regardless of religious exposure.