Application: Natural Moral Law

Theft

Most relevant primary precept: living in an ordered society, and therefore, the secondary precept would be ‘do not steal‘

However, Aquinas held that where proportionate reasons exist, it would be right to ignore a rule in that situation. e.g it would be right to steal from one man to feed yourself if you are starved.

in the example of stealing to so you could survive follows another primary precept preserving life, though in this example you will have to break one primary precept but on balance the theft produces more value than disvalue, also you intention is to save your life not to increase in materialistic objects (money).

Lying

Most relevant primary precept (PP): living in an ordered society, lying is unfair; society would not be ordered if people were constantly lying to each other. The secondary precept would be ‘do not lie‘. The cardinal virtue of justice would prohibit stealing. Aquinas says that lying is intrinsically evil and not in our human intuition to do.

In the case of a ‘necessary‘ lie, the intention/ value to save a life is proportionally greater than the dis-value of being lied to. e.g lying to Nazi’s about hiding Jew’s in there home

Embryo Research, Cloning and Designer Babies

Embryo Research

Catholic church sees harvesting embryonic stem cells as murder, against PP of presevation of life

Cloning is seen as ‘playing God’ , against PP of worshipping God

Designer Babies

• edits DNA cells or embryo/ checks for diseases such as cystic fibrosis or down syndrome

• use of IVF- violates PP of procreation

• destroys embryos- seen as murder

• usurps Gods role as creator

• could lead to dystopia- PP of ordered society

Abortion

A human with a rational sould is present around 60-80 days after conception

• Aquinas doesn’t justify abortion before the rational soul arrives. Violates PP: preserving life

• Catholic church forbids abortion at any stage

Voluntary Euthanasia and assisted suicide

Suicide is contrary to the natural inclination to stay alive: God’s gift to humans is life
- go against the primary precept of; preserving life and maintaining an ordered society.
-Catholic Church allows dying without a lot of medical intervention
The sanctity of life principle goes against both euthanasia and suicide

Capital Punishment

Aquinas himself advises capital punishment 'it is lawful for any private individual to kill a man who had sinned'
- live in an ordered society; removing criminals is achieving this but it could be argued imprisoning could also remove them from society
- Proportionalism can be used to look at individual cases
- Catholic Church implement NML and state it should only be used in extremes cases

Animals as food and Intensive farming

• Aquinas' approach is governed by Aristotle's hierarchy of souls:animals were created for any human use

• Only humans are rational, so animals have an extrinsic value which includes using them

• there is no sin in using something for the purpose it was intended for.. Scripture allows us to have control and eat animals.

• Catholics believe we have dominion

Use of Animals in Scientific Procedures

Aquinas doesn't view animals as of the same status so would support it
- PP worship God, it wouldn't allow the alteration of animals' genetic structure as God created everything perfect.
- using Scientific procedures to cure terminal illnesses fulfils the PP of preserving life.
- PP live in an ordered society, it we make hybrid embryos who to stop it from happening to humans

Application on Bloodsports

Aquinas believe animals were our property BUT Catholic Church teach 'men owe animals kindness'
-PP worship God, it doesn't make sense to use animals for our entertainment as we should care for his creation as stewards but there's also a belief in dominionship

-Pain+suffering inflicted on an animal through blood sports is only morally wrong
-PP ordered society, if someone is capable of brutality to animals, they could do it to humans

Animals as a Source of Organs for Transport

- Aquinas believed animals are our property but also knew we shouldn't modify animals' genetics
- The Catholic Medical Association are against the suffering of animals
- PP worship God, you can't worship Him by altering His creation
- PP ordered society, reaching too far with science
- PP protect innocent life, more organs save more lives