St. Thomas Aquinas' Theory of Natural Law

Summary

This video script delves into the theory of natural law, attributed to St. Thomas Aquinas, a 13th-century philosopher and theologian. Aquinas, influenced by Aristotle, sought to integrate reason and Christian doctrine, presenting natural law as a rational framework guiding human behavior towards the good. The script explains the four types of laws: eternal law, divine law, natural law, and human law, highlighting the role of reason in understanding and applying these laws. Natural law, according to Aquinas, directs individuals to pursue good and avoid evil, forming the foundation of moral and ethical theories in both religious and philosophical contexts.

Takeaways

• 😀 Saint Thomas Aquinas is a pivotal figure in Western philosophy and Catholic doctrine, known for Christianizing Aristotle's philosophy to explain Christian teachings.
• 😀 Aquinas is renowned for his work, the *Summa Theologica*, where he used rational arguments, rather than solely relying on scripture, to explain concepts like God's existence and the nature of law.
• 😀 According to Aquinas, law is an ordinance of reason made for the common good, created by those entrusted with the community's welfare, and enforced by promulgation.
• 😀 Aquinas distinguishes four types of law: eternal law (God's divine plan), divine law (law provided by God through scripture), natural law (man's participation in eternal law), and human law (laws created by humans for society).
• 😀 Eternal law refers to God's unchangeable and eternal plan for the universe, governing all things with purpose, and existing outside time and space.
• 😀 Divine law is God's law, which helps humans achieve eternal happiness, specifically guiding moral actions through commandments found in holy scriptures.
• 😀 Natural law is humanity's participation in God's eternal law through reason, where human beings are naturally inclined to seek the good and avoid evil.
• 😀 Aquinas posits that natural law’s fundamental precept is to do good and avoid evil, guiding human actions based on reason and moral principles.
• 😀 Human law is the application of natural law by society’s leaders, who interpret eternal law and create laws that align with God's will for the common good.
• 😀 Key precepts of natural law include the preservation of life, reproduction, educating offspring, seeking and worshiping God, living in society, avoiding ignorance, and maintaining harmonious relationships with others.

Q & A

Who is credited with developing the theory of natural law?

The theory of natural law is credited to the medieval philosopher and theologian, Saint Thomas Aquinas.

What was Saint Thomas Aquinas' approach to philosophy?

Saint Thomas Aquinas was influenced by Aristotle's writings and aimed to integrate Aristotelian philosophy with Christian teachings, a process known as Christianizing Aristotle's philosophy.

What is the central work of Saint Thomas Aquinas, and what is its significance?

The central work of Saint Thomas Aquinas is the *Summa Theologica*, a comprehensive theological and philosophical text. It outlines Christian doctrines and provides rational arguments for topics such as the existence of God and the nature of angels.

What does Saint Thomas Aquinas mean by 'law' in his philosophy?

According to Saint Thomas Aquinas, law is defined as an ordinance of reason for the common good, made by someone responsible for the community and promulgated to ensure compliance.

What are the four types of law identified by Saint Thomas Aquinas?

The four types of law identified by Saint Thomas Aquinas are eternal law, divine law, natural law, and human law.

What is the concept of 'eternal law' in Aquinas' philosophy?

Eternal law refers to God's divine plan for the universe, which is unchangeable and governs everything in existence. It is eternal because God himself, who is outside time, created it.

How does divine law differ from natural law according to Saint Thomas Aquinas?

Divine law is the law directly revealed by God, such as the commandments in scripture, which guide humans toward their supernatural end—eternal happiness with God. Natural law, on the other hand, is a participation in God's eternal law through human reason, directing humans to seek good and avoid evil.

What role does human reason play in natural law?

Human reason plays a crucial role in natural law by allowing individuals to discern what is good and what is evil, aligning their actions with God's eternal law.

What are the primary precepts of natural law in Aquinas' theory?

The primary precept of natural law is that good is to be done and evil is to be avoided. This leads to several specific precepts, including preserving life, reproducing, educating offspring, seeking knowledge of God, living in society, avoiding ignorance, and maintaining harmonious relationships with others.

Why is natural law considered a normative ethical theory?

Natural law is considered a normative ethical theory because it provides a set of precepts or rules that guide human behavior, outlining what humans ought to do to live a moral life in accordance with reason and divine law.