Chapter 6 - Natural Law (Blackboard)

Introduction to Natural Law Theory

• Natural Law Theory follows Divine Command Theory, especially for theists who see its potential.
• It offers a way to discuss morality that seeks natural bases for right and wrong, appealing to both believers and non-believers.

Definition of Natural Law Theory

• Broad category of normative theories.
• Core idea: Actions are considered right if they are natural and wrong if they are unnatural.
• Determining the morality of actions involves assessing their naturalness.

Complexity of Naturalness

• The concept of natural vs. unnatural is simplified: needs further clarification.
• Different interpretations exist within Natural Law Theory.

Advantages of Natural Law Theory

1. Objective Morality

   • Can serve as a foundation for objective morality.
   • Right and wrong can be seen as facts tied to the nature of reality.
   • Morality is based on how things are, not subjective belief.

2. Moral Knowledge

   • Addresses how moral knowledge is possible.
   • David Hume's challenge: all knowledge arises from understanding conceptual truths or empirical observations.
   • Natural Law theorists argue moral truths are observable through understanding purposes/functions of nature.

Hume's Argument on Knowledge of Moral Claims

• First Premise: Knowledge arises from conceptual truths (meaning-based) or empirical truths (observation-based).

• Distinguishes between:

  • Conceptual truths: Learn through definitions without observation (e.g., "triangles have three sides").
  • Empirical truths: Based on sensory experience (e.g., "there are five trees in the yard").

• Second Premise: Moral claims (e.g., "lying is good") cannot be conceptual truths since they can be debated and justified differently.

• Third Premise: Moral claims cannot be observational, as wrongness isn't a physical observable.

Natural Law Response to Hume

• Natural Law theorists reject the third premise, believing wrongness can be observed.
• Morality linked to the function/purpose of things, examined through our senses.
• Decision-making hinges on whether an action facilitates or hinders an entity’s purpose.
  • Example: Glasses help vision -> good; jamming a finger in the eye -> bad.

Fitness Model of Natural Law Theory

• Most common interpretation today.
• Right actions promote survival; wrong actions hinder survival.
• Survival can refer to:
  • Life: continuing to live.
  • Genetic Material: survival through descendants.
  • Species: ensuring the continuation of a species.

Application of Natural Law Theory

• Commonly reflected in the teachings of the Catholic Church.
• Opposition to Capital Punishment: Ends life, hinders survival, thus seen as morally wrong.
• Sexual Ethics Debate:
  • Church's stance against birth control: sexual organs' purpose is reproduction.
  • Actions that prevent reproduction are labeled wrong, emphasizing the survival of genes and species.
• Same-Sex Relationships:
  • Church argues actions, not people, are wrong based on lack of reproductive potential.

Summary and Next Steps

• The fitness model offers a framework for assessing moral questions based on survival and purpose.
• Further discussions on objections to Natural Law Theory will be explored in future content.