NATURAL LAW ETHICS - BOOK and PPT

Aristotle

he said that (All things "aim at some good"" ) at the beginning of his treatise on ethics

ethics

is a study of the goal, end, or purpose of human life

politics

is a study of the good, goal, end, or purpose of society

2 types of good

real and apparent

real goods

satisfy natural needs, and they are good for us independent of our desires

real goods

food, clothing, and shelter

apparent goods

satisfy acquired wants, and are called good because we desire them

apparent goods

shrimp, designer clothes, and mansions

life full of virtue

is a good, happy, and fulfilling life, it is a life in accordance with our nature.

teleology

the idea that each thing has a goal or purpose in accordance with its nature

essence of teleology

actualization of natural potential

stoics

further developed the doctrine and first used the term natural law

stoics

flourished in athens in the third century B.C.E

St. thomas aquinas

he synthesized aristotelianism, stoicism, and christianity to give natural law its classic formulation.

3 ELEMENTS OF HUMAN ACTS

means/action
end/motive
circumstances

circumstance

can be considered in various moral questions, thus, we might ask, 'who', 'when', 'how much 'or 'in what manner

principle of double effect

This principle is used in order to judge the moral acceptability of the human act that has two effects, one is good and the other is evil

just war theory

the Catholic Church applies the principle of double effect. This means that during a just war, certain actions may have unintended harmful consequences (such as civilian casualties), but they can be morally acceptable if the primary intent is to achieve a just and necessary goal, like ending aggression.

Aristotle

who first developed this approach to ethics (natural law)

Eternal law

refers to what God wills for creation, how each participant in it is intended to return to Him.

Human law

refers to all instances wherein human beings construct and enforce laws in there communities

Human law

goes against what nature inclines us toward, it is not properly speaking a law -- in the ideal sense of directing us to the common good -- but instead is unjust and can be called a matter of violence.

Eternal law

The Designer's plan

Divine law

A manual sent to us

Natural law

What we observe

Human law

What we write down

Eternal Law (Top Tier)

is at the highest level and represents the divine and unchanging order established by God. It is the ultimate source of all laws and principles in the universe

Divine Law (Below Eternal Law)

is derived from eternal law and representsspecific commands and guidance given by God to human beings. It includes religious scriptures, commandments, and teachings that shape religious morality.

Natural Law (Below Divine Law)

Is the moral and ethical principles derived from the rational understanding of eternal and divine law. It is accessible to human reason and conscience and serves as a guide for human behavior in harmony with the divine order.

Human or Positive Law (Lowest Tier)

Human or positive law represents laws created by human societies, governments, and legal systems. These laws are based on natural law principles but can vary from one society to another. They are man-made and intended to regulate specific societal issues.