Summary: Natural Moral Law

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• 1 Natural Moral Law

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• What type of theory is Natural Law?

  Deontological meaning it is concerned with the act itself rather than looking at the consequences of the act. It is also absolute meaning that there are no exceptions to the rule.

• Where does Natural Law hold it's roots?

  In Ancient Greece, and later, the thinking's of the stoics, they believed that humans had a divine spark within them this helps them to find out how to live according to the will of God.

• Who is the main exponent of Natural law?

  Thomas Aquinas. He uses Aristotle's beliefs in causes to explain what is God.

• What are the 4 types of Law?

  Eternal, Natural, Human, and Divine. A Law is defined as a rule of action put into place by one who has care of the community.

• What is Eternal Law?

  This is the mind of God, it exists in the mind of God and his rational plan for the universe. It can only be partially known to us because it exists in the mind of God. God's creation is how we can access knowledge of the eternal law.

• What is Divine Law?

  Those instructed in the Old and New Testament. We need these laws to teach us with certainty what is right and wrong as we often get it wrong when we try and work things out through our reason.

• What is Human Law?

  The laws made by humans using their reason, God said that if we reasoned them correctly then they would be in keeping with the natural law.

• What are Real and Apparent goods?

  When your reason is misguided it can seem that apparent goods are mistaken for real goods. Real goods are from God. In seeking happiness we may follow an apparent good, thinking it is a real good but this will not lead us to God.

• What are interior and exterior acts?

  An exterior act is the act itself but the interior act is the motive behind the exterior act. Aquinas says that both of these must be good for your act to be good. E.g. You may give money to charity(exterior act) but you may do it to look good and receive praise (interior act - not good) you must do it for the right reasons, for example you must give money to charity(exterior) because you desire to help others(interior).

• What is the fundamental principle of NML?

  Do good and avoid evil. This comes from Aquinas' view that human nature is inclined towards doing good.