What is Natural Law Ethics?

Summary

Natural law ethics, rooted in St. Thomas Aquinas' philosophy, posits that moral law is derived from reason and aligns with human nature. Aquinas asserts that actions are morally good if they align with reason and conscience, adhering to three natural inclinations: self-preservation, just dealings, and species propagation. This framework deems actions immoral if they contravene these inclinations, such as suicide or exploitation, emphasizing the innate moral compass guiding human behavior.

Takeaways

• 📚 Natural Law Ethics is a moral theory associated with St. Thomas Aquinas from the medieval period.
• 🧠 Reason is considered the source of moral law in Natural Law Ethics, guiding us towards the good.
• 🎯 The ultimate goal of human actions, according to Aquinas, is the 'good', which is discoverable within human nature.
• 📜 The moral law originates from the Eternal Law or God's idea, as per Aquinas.
• 🤔 To do good and avoid evil means to act in accordance with the moral law, which is derived from human reason.
• 🌱 Actions are deemed good if they align with human nature and reason, and evil if they do not.
• 🔍 Conscience plays a crucial role in Natural Law Ethics, guiding individuals to follow the moral law.
• 🌿 The three-fold natural inclination of humans includes self-preservation, just dealing with others, and propagation of the human species.
• 🚫 Suicide, exploitation, deception, and murder are considered immoral as they violate these natural inclinations.
• 🌸 Reproduction and care for offspring are natural and moral imperatives, making actions that frustrate these purposes, like masturbation, immoral.
• 🔑 An action is moral in Natural Law Ethics if it follows the moral law and one's conscience.

Q & A

What is natural law ethics?

Natural law ethics is a moral theory that suggests reason is the source of moral law, guiding us towards the good. It was developed by St. Thomas Aquinas during the medieval period.

According to Aquinas, what is the ultimate goal of human actions?

According to Aquinas, the ultimate goal of human actions is the 'good,' which is discoverable within human nature.

What does Aquinas argue is the source of the moral law?

Aquinas argues that the moral law comes from the Eternal Law or God's idea by which He governs the world.

How does the moral law manifest in human nature?

The moral law is expressed in human nature as God's idea of what human beings are, and it is the dictate of human reason.

What does 'to do good and to avoid evil' mean in the context of natural law ethics?

In natural law ethics, 'to do good and to avoid evil' means to act in accordance with the moral law, which is appropriate to human nature and reason.

What is the role of conscience in natural law ethics?

In natural law ethics, conscience is the inner guide of human beings in making moral decisions, calling a person to follow the moral law.

What are the three-fold natural inclinations of human beings according to Aquinas?

The three-fold natural inclinations of human beings are self-preservation, just dealing with others, and propagation of the human species.

Why is suicide considered immoral in natural law ethics?

Suicide is considered immoral in natural law ethics because it violates the natural inclination of self-preservation, which urges humans to take care of their health and not kill themselves.

How does just dealing with others manifest in natural law ethics?

Just dealing with others in natural law ethics means treating other humans with the same respect one treats oneself, making inhumanities such as exploitation, deception, and murder morally wrong.

What does the propagation of the human species inclination entail?

The propagation of the human species inclination entails the natural urge to reproduce and take care of offspring, making any act that frustrates the purpose of the reproductive organ unnatural and immoral.

How does an action become moral in natural law ethics?

An action is considered moral in natural law ethics if it is done in accordance with the moral law and with one's conscience, aligning with the three-fold natural inclination of human beings.