ethics - natural law (ao3)

strengths - primary precepts

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

• primary precepts are easy to understand and apply

strengths - natural law

• real/apparent goods line up with natural law 

• flexibility in application of the secondary precepts 

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

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

• telos offers us a purpose 

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

weakness - primary precepts

• primary precepts are too vague

• tension between primary and secondary precepts

weakness - natural law

• basic goods across society and history vary greatly

• cannot apply if you do not believe in god 

• not everyone is capable of reasoning

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

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

strengths - doctrine of double effect

• allows for flexibility

• recognises complexity of real life

weaknesses - doctrine of double effect

• cannot know intentions

• seems to excuse moral behaviour