Aquinas on Natural Law
Summary
TLDRIn this video, Dr. Gloria Frost from the University of St. Thomas explains Thomas Aquinas' theory of natural law. Aquinas believed that God created the world and remains intimately involved in it, desiring all creatures to flourish. He argued that humans, unlike animals, have the unique ability to use reason to understand and act on God's will. Natural law, according to Aquinas, is the combination of instincts and reason that guides humans toward moral behavior and flourishing. Through reflection, humans can derive moral precepts, such as doing good and avoiding evil.
Takeaways
- π Aquinas' theory of natural law is grounded in his belief that God created the world and remains involved in it, wanting all creatures to flourish.
- π Natural law is God's wisdom imprinted in creatures, guiding them through instincts to perform actions that are good for their flourishing.
- π¦ Animals follow their instincts automatically, but humans can reason about their instincts and make choices on how to act.
- π§ Humans partake in eternal law more perfectly than animals because they can reflect on what is good and use reason to make moral choices.
- βοΈ Natural law is the human participation in eternal law, where reason helps determine how to best fulfill God's will for human flourishing.
- π‘ Aquinas describes natural law as the light of natural reason that helps discern good from evil, imprinted on humans by divine light.
- π The first precept of natural law is 'do good and avoid evil,' serving as the foundation for all other moral rules.
- π Humans have four main natural inclinations: self-preservation, species preservation, the desire for truth, and the inclination to live in society.
- πΆ From these natural inclinations, humans can reason to specific precepts such as not harming others, educating offspring, and pursuing knowledge.
- ποΈ Human laws are necessary to implement natural law in specific societal contexts, but they must be rooted in and consistent with natural law.
Q & A
Who was Thomas Aquinas and what is his significance in philosophy?
-Thomas Aquinas was a medieval philosopher and theologian who lived from 1225 to 1274. He made important contributions to philosophy, particularly in developing the theory of natural law, which is foundational in understanding ethics and human nature.
What is Aquinas' theory of natural law?
-Aquinas' theory of natural law suggests that human beings have instincts and reasoning that guide them toward actions that lead to their flourishing. This law is a reflection of God's eternal law and is imprinted on humans, allowing them to discern good from evil.
How does Aquinas explain God's involvement in the world according to natural law?
-Aquinas believed that God not only created the world but is also constantly involved in it. He wills that all creatures flourish and has endowed them with instincts that guide them toward actions beneficial for their well-being.
How do instincts function in Aquinas' theory of natural law?
-In Aquinas' theory, instincts are the natural inclinations given to creatures by God, guiding them to actions that help them flourish. For example, birds instinctively build nests, and humans have instincts to preserve life and reproduce.
What sets humans apart from animals in Aquinas' natural law theory?
-Unlike animals, humans can reflect on their instincts using reason. While animals follow their instincts automatically, humans can deliberate on what is good for them and choose how to act, giving them a unique participation in God's eternal law.
What role does reason play in Aquinas' understanding of natural law?
-Reason allows humans to reflect on their natural instincts and discern the best ways to act in accordance with those instincts. This reasoning helps them understand what leads to their flourishing and what moral rules to follow.
What is the first precept of natural law according to Aquinas?
-The first precept of natural law, according to Aquinas, is to 'do good and avoid evil.' This is a general moral rule that underlies all other moral precepts. All actions that align with doing good or avoiding evil are following this precept.
What are the four main instincts Aquinas identifies in humans?
-Aquinas identifies four main instincts in humans: the inclination to preserve life, the inclination to reproduce, the desire to know the truth, and the desire to live in society. These instincts help guide moral reasoning and behavior.
How does Aquinas derive specific moral rules from natural law?
-Aquinas derives specific moral rules by reflecting on human instincts. For example, the instinct to preserve life leads to the rule that harming or killing others is wrong. The desire for truth leads to the rule that lying is wrong.
What role does human law play in Aquinas' view of natural law?
-In Aquinas' view, human law plays the role of determining how general precepts of natural law are applied in specific societal contexts. Human laws must be consistent with natural law but take into account the unique conditions of each society.
Outlines
π Aquinas' View on God's Role in Creation
Dr. Gloria Frost introduces Thomas Aquinas' theory of natural law by first discussing Aquinas' beliefs about God's relationship with the world. Aquinas believed that God is not a distant creator but is continuously involved in the world, willing for all creatures to flourish. This flourishing is for creatures to fulfill their purposes: squirrels finding acorns, frogs catching flies, and humans maturing into virtuous beings who know and love God. Aquinas argues that God does not control creatures like puppets but allows them to thrive through their own instincts and natural inclinations.
π± Instincts and Natural Law
Aquinas asserts that God helps creatures flourish by giving them instincts that guide them toward actions beneficial to them. For example, birds have instincts to build nests and care for their young, and these instincts are seen as God's wisdom imprinted on them. In humans, these instincts are part of what Aquinas calls 'natural law,' which is a participation in God's eternal law. Human beings, unlike animals, can use reason to reflect on these instincts and make choices about how to fulfill them. This ability to reason allows humans to live well according to God's design for their flourishing.
π€ Reason, Instinct, and Moral Reflection
Aquinas believed humans differ from animals in that they can reflect on and reason about their instincts. While animals act purely on instinct, humans use reason to determine how best to fulfill their natural desires. This allows humans to make moral choices, such as deciding when to have children or choosing what to eat. For Aquinas, natural law is a blend of instinct and reason, where reason helps humans discern the best ways to achieve flourishing. Aquinas refers to natural law as 'the light of natural reason,' which helps distinguish between good and evil.
π The First Precept: Do Good and Avoid Evil
Aquinas defines the first and most general moral rule of natural law: 'Do good and avoid evil.' All other moral rules stem from this principle. When we help others or refrain from harmful actions, we are following this precept. Aquinas also discusses four main instincts that guide human behavior: the instinct to preserve life, reproduce, seek truth, and live in society. These instincts help humans recognize what is good, and reflection on these instincts leads to general moral precepts, such as not harming others or educating offspring.
π From Instinct to Moral Precepts
Aquinas uses human instincts to derive moral rules. For example, the instinct to preserve life suggests that we should not harm others, and the instinct to preserve the species implies that we should care for and educate children. Similarly, the instinct to seek truth leads to the precepts of not lying and pursuing knowledge. Aquinas emphasizes that humans are naturally inclined to seek community, leading to precepts like avoiding offense and promoting justice. Reflection on these instincts, combined with reason, helps humans know how to live well.
βοΈ The Role of Society and Law in Natural Law
Aquinas acknowledges that not everyone can easily discern what is morally right in all situations, especially those raised in corrupt societies. He believes even well-formed individuals need guidance to apply natural law in specific contexts. Human laws should reflect the general principles of natural law, adapting them to the needs of particular societies. While each society may have unique laws, they must all align with the fundamental precepts of natural law, ensuring they promote the flourishing of individuals and communities.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Natural Law
π‘Eternal Law
π‘Instincts
π‘Reason
π‘Flourishing
π‘Precepts of Natural Law
π‘Inclinations
π‘Moral Formation
π‘Human Law
π‘Virtue
Highlights
Thomas Aquinas lived from 1225 to 1274 and made significant contributions to philosophy and theology.
Aquinas believed that God remains intimately involved in the world, constantly willing for all creatures to flourish.
God's wisdom is imprinted on creatures as instincts or inclinations that help them achieve success and flourish.
Natural law, according to Aquinas, is the human being's participation in God's eternal law, guided by both instincts and reason.
Humans have natural instincts like other animals, but are unique in their ability to reason and reflect on what is good.
Humans can use reason to decide how to best act on their instincts, such as determining the right way to pursue relationships or careers.
Natural law involves instincts that reveal what is good and reason that helps us pursue those goods in the best way possible.
Aquinas describes the natural law as 'the light of natural reason' by which we discern good from evil.
The first precept of natural law is 'do good and avoid evil,' which underlies every other moral rule.
Aquinas identifies four key human instincts: preserving life, preserving the species, knowing truth, and living in society.
From the instinct to preserve life, we can reason that killing or harming others is wrong because life is valuable.
The instinct to know truth leads to moral precepts such as avoiding lies and shunning ignorance.
The instinct to live in society leads to precepts about promoting community, such as not offending others and promoting justice.
Aquinas acknowledges that not every person can easily discern the natural law due to upbringing or societal influences.
Human law, according to Aquinas, should be rooted in natural law and serve to implement it in specific societal contexts.
Transcripts
hi this is dr. Gloria Frost of the
university of st. thomas in this short
video I'm going to give you a brief
overview of the medieval philosophers
Thomas Aquinas theory of natural law
Aquinas lived from 1225 to 1274 and he
made many important contributions to
philosophy and theology in order to
understand Aquinas his theory of natural
law we need to begin with his beliefs
about God Christians like Aquinas
believed that God not only created the
world but he also remains intimately
involved in it he doesn't create it and
walk away and leave it to its own
devices God is constantly holding the
world in existence and willing at all
times that all creatures in the world
flourish this is to say that he wants
all things which exists to become the
best versions of what they are he wants
squirrels to be good at finding acorns
and building nests he wants frogs to do
well at jumping swimming and catching
flies and he wants us to mature into
happy healthy and virtuous people who
know and love him in each other the way
that God promotes and provides for our
and other creatures flourishing is not
by interfering in the world like a
puppet master Aquinas thinks that God
wants us and other creatures to achieve
success through our own actions and
operations the way that God helps us to
lead us toward our flourishing while
also having us achieve it through our
own activity is by creating his
creatures with instincts or inclinations
to perform the actions that are good for
them for example birds have instincts to
build nests and protect their eggs they
have instincts which attract them to eat
certain types of food that are good for
them rather than to eat any old physical
object Aquinas thinks that the instincts
that living organisms have to do the
actions that are good for them is God's
own wisdom imprinted upon them
- describes the inclinations of created
organisms toward the things that are
good for them as a sharing in God's own
eternal law natural law is the name that
Aquinas gives to the human beings
participation in eternal law like other
animals we have instincts perform
actions that are good for us for example
we have an instinct to protect our lives
in dangerous situations we similarly
have a natural instinct that inclines us
to reproduce our cell
it is clear that we are like other
animals and having these internal drives
to do things that are good for ourselves
yet Aquinas thought that we as human
beings partake in the eternal law most
perfectly that is because unlike any
other animal we are able to understand
God's view of what is good for human
being and we can use reason and choice
to follow it a bird cannot reflect on
what is good for it and choose to act in
certain ways a bird is no option but to
follow what its instincts drive it
toward this explains why all birds act
so similarly they cannot choose to go
against their instincts we as human
beings however can reflect on what it
means to be living well as a human being
we can reflect in the instincts which we
have we can similarly think about what
our good and bad ways to pursue them for
instance we could recognize that we have
a natural instinct to reproduce and we
can think about what are good or
reasonable ways to act on it
for example a young person can think
about whether they want to achieve a
certain relationship status or career
goal before becoming a parent dogs and
birds can't do this of course likewise
we have a natural instinct to eat like
other animals but unlike them we cannot
reason about how when and what we should
eat this reasoning is evidenced by the
countless cookbooks food magazines and
even diet tracking apps our society is
created these examples show that for us
as humans there are various ways in
which we can fulfill our god-given
instincts and we can use reason to
reflect on which will best line up with
the flourishing that God wills for us to
summarize natural law involves both
instincts and reason without
inclinations or instincts we would not
recognize certain things as desirable
and therefore as having value without
reasoning however we would not know the
best way to pursue the objects which are
inclinations reveal to us as having
value Aquinas describes the natural law
as quote the light of natural reason
whereby we discern what is good and what
is evil
end quote he also says that this light
we have within us allows us to know good
from evil that this light is an imprint
on us of quote the divine light end
quote
God creates us with both reason and
instincts and these capacities together
illuminate for us the path to true
flourishing or happiness Aquinas
believed that by reflecting on our
instincts with reason we could arrive at
certain moral rules which we should
follow in our behavior these are the
precepts of the natural law precept is
another word for a rule which is
intended to regulate behavior Aquinas
says that the very first of these rules
is to quote do good and avoid evil
unquote this precept is first in the
sense that it is the most general moral
rule whenever you are following another
moral rule you are necessarily following
this one for example if you help someone
in need you are thereby doing something
good if you refrain from insulting your
roommate when you're angry you are
thereby avoiding evil every other moral
precept is a specific way of either
doing good or avoiding evil so the
precept do good and avoid evil as the
first precept of the natural law in the
sense that it's presupposed by every
other precept we know other precepts of
the natural law by reflecting on the
specific inclinations that we have as
human beings and as great work the Summa
Theologica when he discusses natural law
Aquinas identifies four main instincts
that human beings have two of these
instincts are shared with other living
things while two are very specific to
human beings the instinct shared with
other living beings are the inclination
to preserve our individual life and to
preserve our species the other instincts
which are unique to us as human are the
inclination to know truth and the
inclination to live in society we are by
nature curious about the world and want
to know how things work we want the
truth this instinct has led our race to
pursue scientific inquiry into develop
arts we are also by nature social beings
even those of us who are shy or prefer
lots of alone time naturally have a
desire to know and be known by other
human beings and to live a shared life
together from these four instincts
Aquinas thinks that we can reason to
some very general precepts we should
live by so that we flourish and that
other human very beings flourish
alongside us
for example by reflecting on our desire
to preserve our lives we can realize
that life is good and valuable and that
we ought not harm or kill other human
beings when we harm or kill another
human we destroy something that is good
that we have a natural inclination to
preserve by reflecting on our desire to
preserve our species Aquinas thinks that
we can know that we ought to care for
and educate our offspring humans would
not survive if parents did not teach
their children what they needed to know
to live examples of precepts that are
derived from our desire to know the
truth or do not lie and shun ignorance
shun ignorance means to pursue knowledge
when there's something important that we
do not know our natural desire to know
truth reveals to us that the truth is
something good when we choose to remain
in ignorance we are choosing not to
pursue something that's good for us when
we lie to others we are depriving them
of the good of truth from reflecting on
our desire to live in society with
others we can reason to many other
general precepts about how to promote
this good an example from Aquinas is
that we should avoid offending others if
we don't take care not to offend others
it is very difficult to have a peaceful
community life there are many other
precepts having to do with justice in a
community such as do not steal which we
can also know through reflection on how
to best fulfill our natural desire to be
in community with others in some Aquinas
thought that our natural human
inclinations and the power of reasoning
we have provide us with a basis for us
to know how to live an excellent human
life it's worth pointing out that
Aquinas did not think that every single
human being could in practice easily
know what was required of him or her to
act well in every possible situation by
simply pausing and reasoning about his
or her inclinations Aquinas claims that
some people because of that upbringing
or living in a corrupt society could in
fact find it very difficult if not
impossible in practice to reason to the
precepts of the natural law furthermore
Aquinas thought that even people with
very good moral formations needed the
assistance of other wiser more
experienced people to help them apply
the natural law
civic situations in their lives the
precepts of natural law are very general
guidelines further reasoning is required
to know which more determinant acts in
concrete situations count as following
the precept or not following it for
example does taking one of your
roommates pens with you to class violate
the precept of do not steal does leaving
a ten-year-old child home alone for a
few hours go against the precept of
educating and caring for your offspring
Aquinas thought that the role of the
human law was to determine how the
general precepts of natural law should
in fact be implemented in specific
societal situations each society must
make its own human laws in light of the
very specific conditions of that society
but all human laws must be rooted in and
consistent with natural law
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