Natural Law

Natural LawNatural Law

Is there anything that is steady and secure? Answer: God’s order and eternal plan with the

universe and man’s special place among the creatures; “a rational animal”.

 Implications:There are some values given in creation: life,

procreation, knowledge and social relations.Man can through his reasons distinguish between

right and wrong

CaseCase

Case: Cambodia, Ruanda, Darfur, Zimbabwe, Kosovo…are some recent examples of countries that have been threatened by severe oppression and genocide. Is it morally right for neighbours to intervene in order to restore peace?

Morally relevant aspects: Oppression and poverty – obstacles to life and social relations The international order – based in a natural order; preservation

of peace The intention of the intervener?   A possible reasoning: The choice is between intervention and letting the genocide

continue If there is a reasonable chance of a successful intervention

and the violence is proportional to the goal, and If the intention is to restore peace , Then, an intervention is morally legitimate.

Thomas Aquinas1224-1274

Background: Natural law theoryBackground: Natural law theory

Sources: Aristotle “the Philosopher” and Augustine

Summa TheologicaTeleology: criteria of a right act is the goal (telos)

achieved, but what is the goal? Development of what is potential; the ends and

purposes that are essential to being human; life, procreation etc

Eudaimonism: happiness is the ultimate aim for human life

Theology: the ultimate aim of human life is knowledge of God

The theory of Natural law:The theory of Natural law:

The four laws: the eternal law; God’s creation and planthe natural law; human nature and

practical rationalitythe human law; moral and legal rules the revealed law

Criteria for a right action? Implications for moral decision-making?

Two methods to make moral decisions:To find out what is “natural” – according

to nature (ex prohibition of suicide)What is according to the common good?

(teleology)

Decision making procedureThe principle of double effectAct A has both good and bad effectsA is morally right if: 1) the good effects are intended, and2) the bad is not out of proportion to the

good effects

Principle of double effectPrinciple of double effect

A patient is in the last stage of his life because of cancer

He has severe painsThe doctor decides to give morphine to

relieve pain (intention)The patient dies (not intended but

possible effects)Is the act right?

Human dignityHuman dignity

GodAngels Soul

Man (“ensouled body”)

Animals animal soulPlants vegetative soulInanimate things Materia

Two points of departure for Evangelical Protestantism (ex Karl Barth):◦A different view of man : man is sinful –

negative anthropology◦Moral insights through revelation – not through

nature/reason

Karl BarthKarl Barth

“God speaks man listens

God commandsman obeys”

Is abortion of a foetus with genetic disease permitted?

Gods command: Thou should not kill!The foetus is a human lifeAbortion is killing a human lifeAbortion is not permitted

Problems with the divine Problems with the divine command theorycommand theory

Presuppose a controversial assumption: the existence of God

how do we know what is God’s will? Denies the communicative character of

morality Denies the possibility of unity between

Christians and non-Christians