The Natural Law

Question!
For you, what is the
meaning of „Natural‟?
Give your own definition or
Give examples of instances which you
find „natural‟.

2
 1.
Christian Story
By Thomas Aquinas
Three Parts of Aquinas’s work:
God Human Life Jesus as our Savior

-We recognize that we are -Pursuit of happiness -Centers on Human life

created by God and striving toward God
-will not be possible -Sacred Scripture
-However, we cannot fully without God‟s presence
grasp Him since we have and grace
limited human intellect

4
Context of Aquinas’s Ethics
✗ There is a sense of what is right and what is wrong
that we are obliged to obey

✗ “Conscience” needs a clearer vision and guidepost

Certain decisions can lead us toa virtue or a vice

5
"All people return to the One,
from which they emanated.”
-Neoplatonists

6
 3.
Aristotelian being
and becoming
FOUR
CAUSES
According to Aristotle

8
 Formal Efficient Final
Material Cause Cause
Cause Cause

9
 4.
The Essence And
Varieties of Law
ESSENCE
✗ Just because we think a certain end is good and it is
therefore desirable does not necessarily mean it is
indeed good.

✗ Since we belong to a community, we have to

consider what is good for all or what we call
“common good”
✗ “Law” is the determination of the proper measure
of our acts

11
VARIETIES
ETERNAL LAW
This law refers to what
God wills for creation, how
participants intend to
return to Him.
HUMAN LAW DIVINE LAW
It refers to all instances Refers specifically to the
wherein human beings instances where we have
construct and enforce percepts or instructions
laws in their communities. that come from Divine
revelation.
12
 5.
The Natural Law
IN COMMON WITH OTHER BEINGS
✗ HUMANS ARE UNIQUE

What makes us UNIQUE???

✗ ABILITY TO SURVIVE
✗ PRESERVE LIFE

✗ MURDER = VIOLATION OF THE

NATURAL LAW

✗ “It is unethical to take life of

other”

14
IN COMMON WITH OTHER ANIMALS
Aquinas the goes on to say that there
is in our human nature, common with
other animals.

✗ SEXUAL INTERCOURSE
✗ Animals has a desire to do Sexual
intercourse and the care of one‟s
offspring

15
DIFFERENCES
ANIMALS HUMAN BEINGS

✗ No law about Sexual ✗ LAW about Sexual

Intercourse Intercourse
✗ Naturally engage in ✗ Violations
heterosexual ✗ Some engage with
Unisexual or
homosexual

When abused, it could result to VIOLATION of the Natural Law

16
SIMILARITY
“Both makes sure that their
offsprings are well fed,
sheltered and provide the
needs of their offsprings”

17
 NATURAL INCLINATIONS by Thomas Aquinas

SEXUAL ACT
DESIRE TO PRESERVE AND ITS USE OF
BEING FECUNDITY REASON

18
Thanks!
Any questions?

19