[ge 8] natural law ethics

Nichomachean Ethics

Aquinas follows Aristotle’s __________, that is, to live a life of activity expressing reason well.

Aristotle

For _____, if one functions according to his own nature, then performing that function actualizes that nature.

intellect and will

For Aquinas, man is created by God with ______ and _____. In this manner, the fullness of expression consist in the activity of knowing and loving her own creator.

teleological being

For Aquinas, the human person is a ______ created by God with a particular function and purpose of achieving his perfect happiness 🡪 union with God!

innate rational capacities

For Aquinas, the human being is a higher being because of their_________. There is the capacities of thinking (intellect) and willing (judgment)

God, angels, humans, animals, plants

hierarchy of being according to Aquinas

Intellect

For Aquinas, Through _______– we comprehend the truth behind/about everything in the world

Will

For Aquinas, Through the ____ – we are capable of responding to judgments; it also disposes us to the objects of our desire; moves us to act

natural deliberate will

Human actions are essentially results of a ______. In such a way, through this – man is inclined to do good and bad.

The Natural Law

is God’s imprint on the whole of nature and the principles of its proper action. This is proven by the “natural inclination”

eternal law

This is God’s wisdom that directs the movements and actions of his creatures in their appropriate ways towards their proper end. Ex

Moral precepts=moral law

in order for the Natural Law to remain dynamically active in guiding us to act morally, we must be constantly disposed to _________. It is simply the Divine/Eternal law expressed in human nature!

Synderesis

innate disposition of the human mind by virtue of which we are able to grasp the first principle of the natural law without the need for inquiry (self-evident truths)

Conscience

the natural tendency of man to apply such principle to concrete life situation.

Self-preservation, procreation, just-dealings with others

three moral obligations according to Aquinas

1. the action is good in itself. (no other motives behind an act) 2. the action aims at the good end. (consequence of the action) 3. the action is done in an appropriate circumstance

conditions for an act to be morally good

Sinfulness

For Aquinas, we don’t listen to divine and natural law because of ______– it has corrupted and misdirected our inclinations. Thus, to restore man’s rational imperfections and develop the habit of acting in accordance with his nature 🡪 to be transformed internally and externally.

St. Thomas Aquinas

His moral theory aims to gives us a guide on how we can establish a “habitual” moral act. By acting morally constantly, we become virtuous persons which is important in crucial in attaining and realizing our happiness.

The good

For Aquinas, every human action aims at an end 🡪 the ___?

beatific vision

For Aquinas, _________ shows God as the only perfect good for it is only Him who could satisfy all the desire of our human heart. This is, therefore, is moral perfection. Thus, this happiness is the union of God and man.

Happiness

For Christian ethics, ______= having an intimate relationship with God – through loving God.

grace of God

How then can we attain happiness if we are incapable of having a beatific vision? Answer—-For Aquinas, it is only through the ______ that we attain happiness. God’s _______ is necessary to perfect human nature by healing the wounds of sin.