Natural Law

1. Aquinas believed that human reason is so flawed by the Fall that it cannot discover truth on its own.

• Answer: False – Aquinas believed reason can still discover truth, despite the Fall.

2. Aquinas believed that reason is a gift from God that helps humans comprehend eternal law.

• Answer: True

3. According to Aquinas, human beings have the innate ability to understand what is good and what is evil.

• Answer: True

4. The primary precept of natural law according to Aquinas includes the promotion of social harmony and justice.

• Answer: True

5. Natural law is the part of eternal law that pertains specifically to human conduct and can be discovered through reason.

• Answer: True

6. An erroneous conscience is always culpable regardless of the individual’s knowledge or circumstances.

• Answer: False – Ignorance can excuse guilt if it is invincible.

7. Human law is considered the highest form of law in Aquinas’s hierarchy and is immutable.

• Answer: False – Eternal law is the highest, and human law is changeable.

8. The precept of procreation and education of offspring emphasizes the responsibility towards family and nurturing future generations.

• Answer: True

9. Aquinas’s natural law theory is largely irrelevant to contemporary ethical issues like artificial intelligence and genetic engineering.

• Answer: False – Its principles are still applied to modern issues.

10. According to Aquinas, moral virtues are habitual and firm dispositions to do the good.

• Answer: True

11. Aquinas’s natural law theory has influenced Catholic Social Teaching, particularly regarding social justice issues.

• Answer: True

12. Aquinas asserts that the principles of natural law are derived from the inclinations common to all human beings.

• Answer: True

13. According to natural law theory, moral principles are subjective and can vary greatly across different cultures.

• Answer: False – Moral principles are objective and universal.

14. Aquinas believed that natural law is a moral law written by God into nature.

• Answer: True

15. The primary precept of education, according to Aquinas, focuses solely on adult education.

• Answer: False – It includes the education of children and moral development.

16. Natural law is characterized by changing moral standards that reflect societal evolution.

• Answer: False – Natural law principles are unchanging and universal.

17. According to the transcript, the unintended side effects of an action do not matter in the moral evaluation of that action.

• Answer: False – Unintended effects are considered under the principle of double effect.

18. According to Aquinas, the most fundamental principle of natural law is that good is to be done and pursued, and evil is to be avoided.

• Answer: True

19. Aquinas believed that reason is essential for discovering moral knowledge.

• Answer: True

20. The Summa Theologica is considered Aquinas’s most influential work in theology and philosophy.

• Answer: True

21. Aristotle’s concept of eudaimonia refers to the pursuit of wealth and material success.

• Answer: False – Eudaimonia means flourishing through virtue, not material success.

22. Aquinas’s work remains a vital reference point for moral reasoning and public discourse in contemporary ethical debates.

• Answer: True

23. Mortal sins are minor offenses that do not significantly affect an individual’s relationship with God.

• Answer: False – Mortal sins are grave offenses that sever the relationship with God.

24. Aquinas’ natural law theory can be accepted by atheists without any issues.

• Answer: False – Its theistic foundation may conflict with atheistic beliefs.

25. Secondary precepts are specific moral norms derived from primary precepts and are universally binding.

• Answer: False – Secondary precepts can vary based on context.

26. Aquinas’s integration of faith and reason was a key aspect of his philosophical contributions.

• Answer: True

27. Prudence is considered the necessary virtue for applying the secondary precepts of natural law.

• Answer: True

28. Natural law theory suggests that all moral laws are relative and depend on human emotions.

• Answer: False – Moral laws are objective and grounded in human nature.

29. The doctrine of double effect allows for the violation of natural law if the intention is good.

• Answer: False – It permits actions with unintended bad effects if they meet strict conditions.

30. The discussion concludes that natural law is an absolute theory that cannot be altered by human reasoning.

• Answer: False – Secondary precepts can be adapted through reason in specific contexts.