ethics - natural law (ao3)

strength

primary precepts are relatively uncontroversial, they are goods valued by all societies 

strength

primary precepts are easy to understand and apply

strength

real/apparent goods line up with natural law 

strength

flexibility in application of the secondary precepts 

strength

assures human rights such as the right to life (preservation of innocent life)

strength

affirms the importance of reason and ability to reason - imago dei

strength

telos offers us a purpose 

strength

absolutist theory meaning that there is clarity to what is good and to its judgements

weakness

basic goods across society and history vary greatly

weakness

cannot apply if you do not believe in god 

weakness

not everyone is capable of reasoning

weakness

tension between primary and secondary precepts

weakness

primary precepts are too vague

weakness

naturalistic fallacy- just because something is doesnt mean something should be/is good

weakness

absolutist theory so it can be too restrictive and focused on achieving primary precepts; theory can contradict itself

strengths/weaknesses of d.o.d.e

s-allows for flexibility

s-recognises complexity of real life

w-cannot know intentions

w-seems to excuse moral behaviour