Theology - Natural Law and Human Nature

anthropology

the study of man; the study of mankind/human beings

3 Types of Anthropology

1. Physical

2. Cultural

3. Philosophical

Physical Anthropology

the study of human evolution

Cultural Anthropology

the study of human cultures

Philosophical Anthropology

the study of what is means to be human

Do you die when you sleep?

Hylomorphists say yes.

Body Dualists say no.

5 Beliefs of the body and soul

1. Hylomorphism

2. Body-Self Dualism

3. Materialism

4. Epiphenomenalism

5. Spiritualism

Hylomorphism

(Aristotle) idea that body and soul are the same

• anything that develops has a soul (plants, animals, humans)

• humans can comprehend reality

• you can’t change (accidental vs substantial) your body to fit your identity, because your body is you

Body-Self Dualism

(Rene Decartes) alternate way of viewing human beings, made up of 2 different substances (body and soul)

• body and soul are distinct from eachother

• your body and identity are 2 different substances

Materialism

all human beings are matter, no mind, no conscience, mind is hallucination of the brain

Epiphenomenalism

idea that mind emerges from matter, but is not reducible to matter

• consciousness/soul comes from the brain, but it does thing the brain can’t explain

Spiritualism

idea that matter is the illusion, only real thing is mind/spirit

Materialism Counterargument/Problem

If consciousness is an illusion, how are observations and measurements (science) real or are they also and illusion?

• incoherent idea, contradicts itself

Epiphenomenalism Counterarugment/Problem

You can’t get more from the effect that the cause; how can the brain produce something that isn’t itself?

• humans have an aspect to them that isn’t physical

Spiritualism Counterargument/Problem

problem with proof, why should you doubt your existence

Accidental Change

change to a characteristic that doesn’t change the body/matter (like dying your hair a different color)

Substantial Change

change to the body/matter substantially changes the form (like the loss of a limb)

Sensation

we encounter the world (through our body); knowledge beings when you encounter something that isn’t you, you observe said thing with your senses

Genesis 2:7

God makes man from the dust of the earth and he is not alive until God breathes the breath of life into him making him a living thing

1 Thessalonians 5:23

“May God bless your body, mind, and spirit”

Soma - body

Psyche - soul

Pneuma - spirit

Soma Psyche Pneuma

body, soul, spirit

Romans 2:14-16

St. Paul says the law of God is written in every human heart

All humans know there are certain things that are right and wrong

What does it mean if hylomorphism is correct?

Human life begins whenever the human body begins (cellular replication after the sperm fertilizes the egg)

Should abortion be considered a crime?

To hylomorphists, yes

Ordinary Measures

what is necessary to keep someone alive, like an IV

Extraordinary Measures

extreme ways to keep someone alive, artificial means

What the Church says about extraordinary measures

• it’s not necessary to keep them alive if they are only surviving on extraordinary measures (not a crime)

• it’s not murder to turn off the ventilator because technically they’re already dead

When do we die?

When out cardiopulmonary systems cease to function, heart and lungs

Person

an individual substance with a rational nature

• a person is a type of thing that’s rational

• all humans are persons, but all persons aren’t humans

• aliens = person, talking animals = person, God = person

Ordinary Measure Principles

normally need to stay alive, HELPING regular functions

Extraordinary Measure Principles

machine is running what should be usually working, REPLACING regular functions

The US legal system is ____

Common Law

Who do we get out definition of law from?

St. Thomas Aquinas

ABC’s of Law

a. Ordinance of Reason

b. Promulgated

c. Legitimate Authority

d. Common Good

“A law is ordinance of reason promulgated by legitimate authority for the sake of the common good”

Ordinance of Reason

if it’s unreasonable, then it’s not a law

Promulgated

to be made public, all laws have to be a matter of public record

Legitimate Authority

whoever makes the law has to have authority to make the law, all laws must follow the constitution

Common Good

has to be for the good of the people

Types of Law

1. Eternal

2. Natural

3. Human

4. Ecclesiastical

5. Divine

Eternal Law

God’s ordering of the cosmos, God created the universe, everything is set up in a certain way

Natural Law

rational participation of the eternal law

Human Law

practical application of the natural law, apply rational moral principles

• criminal law, civil law, and constitutional law

Criminal Law

governs relationship between individuals and community, state = community, ex: punish killer

Civil Law

governs relationship with individuals in the community, governs marriage, car crashes

Constitutional Law

rules that govern how government is established/constitution and laws are established

Ecclesiastical Law

uses the Canon Law and Precepts of the Church, it is the law of the Church

Divine Law

when God communicates what’s right and wring, God’s revealed commands for humans

Old Law

10 Commandments, ceremonial precepts, changing external behavior

New Law

Beatitude and Grace, Jesus is trying to change the internal behavior/attitude