Natural Law

Natural Law is an absolutist theory most commonly associated with St Thomas Aquinas (1224 -1274). His major work was Summa Theologica.

Cicero in ‘De Republica’ said, “ reliable law is right indicate in accordance with nature”.

It relies on Aquinas basic understanding that humans innately humble to do favorable and to avoid evil in articulate to find fulfillment and happiness in life (Synderesis Rule).

pastime on from the Synderesis Rule, Natural Law is based on tailfin primary precepts.

These primary precepts argon fundamental principals revealed to us by God.

They are:

1. Self-preservation/preservation of the innocent
2. To reproduce
3. To learn
4. To live in a proportionate society
5. To worship God

Humans are then to use their flat coat to establish rules that will fulfil the requirements of the primary precepts. These rules are cognize as secondary precepts.

Some examples are:

Do not murder (fulfils the primary precept of preserving the innocent)

Do not end the unborn (fulfils the primary precepts of preserving the innocent and of continuing the species)

Reason is use in order to establish how we should live our lives.



We use our reason to fulfill the requirements of the primary precepts and therefore to achieve our aim of doing good and avoiding evil.

Aquinas maintained that God gave man reason to strain these purposes whether he believes in Him or not

He also claimed that everything is intentional to fulfil a specific purpose, and fulfilling this purpose is the good to which everyone aims - summum bonum (highest good). However, St. capital of Minnesota recognised that this is not always possible Since we have entirely sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).

Aquinas believed that abominable actions come from people confusing apparent good with perfect good. An example of an apparent good is drinking - it seems like we are doing a good thing because we become more fond but the ideal good would be to be this way...If you regard to get a full essay, order it on our website: Orderessay



If you want to get a full essay, wisit our page: write my essay .