UNIT V - Lesson 13 - Natural Law Ethics (Thomas Aquinas)

Natural law ethics

is a hypothesis in morals and logic that says that human being has inherent values that administer their thinking behavior. It keeps up that these rules of right and off-base are characteristics in individuals and are not made by society or court judges.

It is universal, It is obligatory, It is recognizable, It is immutable or unchangeable

Properties or characteristics of natural law

Aquinas

believes that all action are directed towards ends and that happiness is the final end, thinks that happiness consists in activities in accordance with virtue, declares that ultimate happiness is not attainable in this life, for happiness in the present life remains imperfect

Law

– an ordinance of reason for the common good, promulgated by someone who has care of the community.

Eternal law, Natural law, Human law, Divine law

Four primary types of law (Aquinas)

Eternal law

refers to the rational plan of God by which all creation is ordered, everything in the universe is subject

Natural law

– that aspect of the eternal law which is accessible to human reason. It is the eternal law as far as it is made known by human reason. It refers to the law for human conduct. It is the remote norm of morality.

Human law

refers to the positive laws. It pertains to the laws established by man according to the decrees of God.

Divine law

serves to compliment the other types of law. It is a law of revelation, disclosed through sacred text or scriptures and the church which is also directed toward man’s eternal end.  It is more focused on how man can be inwardly holy and eventually attain salvation. Simply refers to the decrees of God.

Thomas Aquinas

believed that the natural law is a universal formula.