Principles of Moral Reasoning According to Aquinas

Introduction

  • Dismantling classical Christian faith notions within reality perception.

  • Focus on John Locke and David Hume as significant figures of the Enlightenment.

Prayer

  • Thankfulness for goodness and mercy.

Recap of Previous Class (Thursday Acknowledgement)

  • Discussion on civil law and its implications.

Key Queries and Overview

  • Reflecting on Thursday's content and handouts.

  • Key points about unjust civil laws:

    • If a law is unjust, one may disobey it.

    • Sometimes, disobedience is mandatory.

    • Goodness should be pursued, and evil should be avoided.

    • Thomas Aquinas emphasizes being a good Christian over being a good citizen.

Principles of Moral Reasoning According to Aquinas

  • Good is to be done, and evil is to be avoided.

  • Character has an intended shape according to eternal law.

  • Moral laws are derived from natural laws, reflecting God's decree.

  • Goodness is self-evident and inherent in the concept of good.

Evolution of Natural Law in Philosophy

  • Introduction of John Locke's view as a contrast to Thomas Aquinas.

  • Shift towards individualism in ethics and the breakdown of communal moral frameworks.

John Locke's Epistemology

Overview of Empiricism

  • Definition: Knowledge acquisition through sense data, either from external stimuli or mental reflections.

  • Major assertions about the nature of knowledge:

    • Knowledge does not come from understanding substances or essences, but rather from sensory experiences.

    • Objects categorized by the mind based on sensory input, not inherent essences.

Limitations of Faith According to Locke

  • Clear reason should not contradict faith; thus, the scope of knowable faith claims is limited.

  • Doctrines like the Trinity or miracles lack empirical evidence, making them harder to accept.

Discussion on Reflection and Empiricism

  • Reflection as a component of empiricism relates to understanding how the mind interprets sensory input.

Implication of Locke's Views on Moral Law

Natural Law and Moral Obligation

  • Aquinas anchored natural law in God's eternal law; morality is universal and derived from human nature.

  • Locke denies this linkage, arguing that moral laws are constructed from societal norms and human preferences.

Change in Natural Law Understanding

  • Aquinas:

    • Morality is grounded, objective, and knowable via real essences.

    • A chain from human nature to morality exists.

  • Locke:

    • No intellectual access to real essences; only observable behaviors.

    • Focus on individual rights: life, liberty, property.

    • Moral engagements center on non-interference in personal preferences.

Ethical Implications of Aquinas vs. Locke

Aquinas

  • Offers a universal, divinely intended goal reflecting shared human flourishing (Beatitude in communion with God).

  • Suggests a holistic approach to morality involving community and individual obligations to pursue goodness.

Locke

  • Focuses on the current moment, protecting individual rights without overarching moral imperatives.

  • Separates morality from a shared human goal leading to individualism.

Transition to David Hume

Overview of Hume's Approach

  • Hume as an empiricist emphasizes knowledge through sense impressions.

  • Distinction between sense impressions (vivid and immediate) and ideas (fading and less certain).

Hume's Epistemology

  • Skepticism regarding causality; one cannot observe necessary connections between events.

  • Causality becomes a habit of mind rather than a truth derived from sensory experience.

  • All knowledge is based on personal experiences and perceptions.

Key Differences with Aquinas and Locke

Core Concepts on Knowledge

  • Truths of Observation (A posteriori) vs Truths of Reason (A priori).

  • Hume's skepticism leads to a division between what can be observed and what is necessarily valid.

Metaphysics and its Challenge

  • Hume argues metaphysical truths about existence (e.g., God as a first cause) are unprovable based on sensory experiences and cannot derive moral obligations.

The "Is-Ought" Problem

  • Hume spawn the concept that one cannot derive moral obligations from observed facts or existence (the is-ought fallacy).

  • Aquinas can bridge this gap; Locke and Hume cannot.

Reflection on Hume's Insights

Personal Reflections on Knowledge

  • Hume discusses how philosophical inquiry can lead to despair without yielding practical truths.

  • Suggests that humans live based on societal norms despite philosophical skepticism about reality.

Conclusion and Discussion Points

  • Key differences from Aquinas to Locke and then Hume: from communal goals to individualism then challenge of objective moral truths.

  • The need for a livable philosophy that aligns with reality, encouraging reflection on the underlying truths of existence.