The extent to which the absolutist/deontological nature of Aquinas Natural Law works in a contemporary society

Provides society with much needed moral rules.

Modern society is too egocentric and needs a moral authority. We live in a society that's in moral decline. E.g. lord devlin pointed out that serious attacks on people are rising as are abortions etc all of which shows a society in moral decline. Therefore, what society needs to improve morality is decisive and clear absolutist moral ethic, like natural law, that everyone should follow. A society with clear rules on murder, casual sex (which natural law is morally against) would be a better society for all.

NML is no longer relevant as we live in a largely secular society

It can seem irrelevant because it is based on the idea that god created us and we all have god given reason, this is meaningless to many people. This is something that society doesn't generally believe in anymore therefore it is inappropriate to govern them with religious laws

NML is no longer relevant as we live in a largely secular society (pt.2)

Our laws should no longer be influenced by religion e.g. euthanasia. Moreover we also live in a post modern society (people don't accept deontological rules anymore). Therefore natural law doesn't fit with post modern society because natural law has fixed deontological rules. Human laws should respond to today's needs, not outdated laws

NML is universal

it is applied the same to all people at all times. This is an excellent basis for morality because everyone will be treated the same regardless of race, gender or age. E.g. abortion is wrong according to NML whether you're 16 or 30 black or white etc. It is in the interests of justice that everyone follows the same rules as a society. It is just because it applies the same rule to everyone, no matter who they are

NML ingores any bad potential consequences of our actions

E.g. a NML secondary precept is that "contraception is wrong" because it breaks the primary precept of the continuation of the human species. However, the consequences of this is that poorer families, particularly in third world countries, are having children they can't afford to bring up- thus creating greater poverty and suffering. NML ignores these bad consequences

NML is all-encompassing

Natural law can be applied to all ethical issues including modern ethical issues that are not covered in the bible e.g. genetically modifying animals. Therefore natural law can be applied to all ethical issues in a contemporary society

NML creates a choking web of law

Legalistic ethics runs into problems when life throws u a curve ball and requires an additional law to fit a new situation. E.g. once murder has been prohibited, u have to clarify dilemmas such as self-defence, war, euthanasia and abortion. The legalist must either include all the complex alternatives within the law or create new laws to cover the result. This can produce a "choking web of law". It creates a textbook morality that requires people to check the rulebook before they act