Nl

Question 1

Conditions of dode

Answer 1

1. Act can’t be evil, must be good
2. Good effect must be produced directly by the action
3. Intention must be achieving of only good thing
4. Good affect must be as morally good as bad affect is bad

Question 2

Weakness of nl

Answer 2

• McGrath says if base a theory on observation can’t avoid issue that we see what we are conditioned to see
• outdated as enforces traditional views (on abortion) that are out of touch with 21st century soceity
• too simplistic (don’t have single fixed nature - Nielsen says mistake to think humans are similar, modern psychology and genetics suggest otherwise) + has conflicting rules — what if two universal rules come into conflict with each other

Question 3

What are the origins of natural law

Answer 3

Goes back to Aristotle and theory of telos (everything has a nature which directs it towards a particular goal - Eudaimonia for humans)

Question 4

How did Aquinas build on Aristotles ideas and how do they agree

Answer 4

Added a Christian god that sets things telos, god is eff and final cause
Both agree use reason to achieve telos and is universal concept

Question 5

Quote on reason from Aquinas

Answer 5

“The light of reason is placed by nature in every man, to guide him in his acts towards the end”

Question 6

What are the 4 tiers of law

Answer 6

1. Eternal
2. Divine
3. Natural
4. Human

Question 7

What is Eternal law

Answer 7

The principle by which god made and controls the universe, only fully known to god, his purpose and plan for all things (if fulfil telos following eternal law)

Question 8

What is divine law

Answer 8

Law of god revealed in Bible (e.g 10 comms + sermon on the mount), following helps to fulfil telos and access eternal law

Question 9

What is natural law

Answer 9

The moral law of god within human nature that is discoverable through reason, if applied with reason leads to right outcome, helps understand aspects of eternal law

Question 10

What is human law

Answer 10

The law of nations, everyday rules that govern our lives, based on divine and natural laws, shows things to do to achieve heaven

Question 11

Def of primary precepts and what are they

Answer 11

General rules humans are inclined to follow (work out by reason) - absolute and universal
1. Reproduce
2. Live in ordered soceity
3. Educate
4. Worship god
5. Preserve life

Question 12

3 categories of primary precepts

Answer 12

1. Share with all
2. Share with animals
3. Share with man

Question 13

What are secondary precepts

Answer 13

Deduced from primary precepts, apply them to certain situations
E.g murder is wrong as violates primary precept of preserve life

Question 14

Quote on secondary precepts from Aquinas

Answer 14

“Certain secondary and more detailed precepts, which are, as it were, conclusions following closely from the first principles”

Question 15

Difference between interior and exterior acts

Answer 15

Ext - physical action
Int - intention
Only way to go good is to intend to do good and do good

Question 16

Difference between real and apparent goods and why did Aquinas distinguish between them

Answer 16

Real - genuinely good actions
Apparent - think is good but doesn’t fit perfect human ideal
Aq believes human nature is good and couldn’t knowingly pursue evil

Question 17

Difference between Vincible and invincible ignorance

Answer 17

Vinc - lack of knowledge person is responsible for
Invinc - lack of knowledge person isn’t responsible (couldn’t be overcome by using reason)

Question 18

What is the doctrine of double effect

Answer 18

Principle whereby in certain circumstances, providing no bad intention, would be right to do a good action even though consequence would be bad e.g killing attacker if defending self and didn’t intend to

Question 19

Quote for doctrine of double effect

Answer 19

“Nothing stops an act from having 2 affects, only one of which is intended, while the other is unintended” - aq

Question 20

Strengths of nl

Answer 20

• nl allows individual, using reason, to work out themselves what is objectively right and true, not relying on relig authority, scripture or tradition
• enables people to establish common rules inorder to structure communities (can’t be twisted like s.e or other flexible approaches)
• idea of common nature as morality for all people gives nl a universality that goes beyond any one religion or culture