Download 8 Natural Law booklet 2

RS 1/2 Introduction to Religion and Ethics (50%)
Aquinas’ Natural Law
Booklet 2
Specification content
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Natural law as an absolutist/deontological moral theory. Aquinas’ four levels of law – eternal,
divine, natural and human
Aquinas’ ideas that the highest good is the rational understanding and following of the God’s
final purpose
The five primary precepts which are developed in the secondary precepts, created in order to
establish a right relationship with God
The three revealed virtues (faith, hope and charity), and the four cardinal virtues (prudence,
justice, fortitude, temperance); interior and exterior acts and real/apparent goods
Candidates will be expected to give examples of the application of Natural Law.
Candidates should consider the degree to which Natural Law is compatible with the traditional ethical
teaching of one major world religion.
Issues – AO2
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Strengths and weaknesses of Natural Law
Does Natural Law provide an adequate basis for decision making?
Could Natural Law’s absolutist approach promote injustice and or/morally wrong behaviour?
To what extent can Natural Law as an absolutist and deontological theory work in today’s
society?
How far is Natural Law compatible with a religious approach to moral decision making?
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The degree to which Natural Law is compatible with the traditional ethical
teaching of one major world religion – Christianity
In order to see how compatible Natural Law is with the traditional ethical teachings of the major world
religions, let us first clarify the main aspects of Natural Law.
In summary, Natural Law says:
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there is a God-given design and purpose within the natural world
this design and purpose can be discerned by human reason
by reason, humans can understand the moral principles within nature
the goal of moral or ethical action is the ‘highest good’
in deciding on an appropriate ethical action, a distinction is drawn between an ‘efficient cause’
(an explanation for what happened) and a ‘final cause’ (the ultimate meaning and purpose of the
event).
the principles of Natural Law seek to establish moral principles that are absolute and must be
acted upon regardless of the consequences of the act.
We will be answering this question from a Christian perspective, meaning we will be looking at how
natural law is/isn’t compatible with Christian belief.
Christianity
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Natural Law stems from the teachings of the Catholic theologian Thomas Aquinas.
Christians believe in a loving God who created the universe for a purpose.
The Bible contains an absolute ethical code (e.g. Ten Commandments and teachings of Jesus).
Christianity offers absolute ethical rules to enable humans to achieve the ‘highest good’
Natural Law and the use of reason is a fundamental basis for much Christian morality, especially
in the Catholic tradition.
If you get this question in A01 you simply have to list the points with
the explanation, evidencing and link.
If you get this question in A02 you must add the evaluation and
comment on whether it is a good point.
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The Bible – find the following Bible passages do you think that the passage supports or goes against
natural law? Use these passages to complete the essay plan on the next pages
Matthew 12v10:12 – Jesus opposed legalistic actions such as healing people on the Sabbath when he
wasn’t meant to .
Matthew 6v2 – The motive for committing an act is important as well as the act itself
Genesis1 – God made the world and established in it a sense of order
Matthew 6v1 – Jesus said good actions should not be done for reward but for their own sake
Matthew 25v31-46 – It should be the ‘final purpose’ of every human being to return to God in the
afterlife
Matthew 5v39 – Turn the other cheek
John 8v1 – an adulterous woman
Exodus 20 – 10 commandments
John 13v34:35 – Love one another as I have loved you –
Scholars and denominational arguments
Michael Hornsby-Smith argues Catholic Social Thought that Natural Law is still the fundamental law in
the Catholic tradition and is the foundation for Catholic laws on abortion.
Pope Benedict XVI argued that Natural Law ‘remains timely’ and is grounded in human nature. He
believes Catholics should follow God’s law in order to be good and not their own.
The Quakers reject an absolutist approach to ethics
Gay religious believers may argue that they were created that way by God
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AO1 Exam practice –complete this essay plan
Explain why some people hold different views about the compatibility of Natural Law
with the teachings of one major world religion. See page 18 of Booklet 1
Natural Law is . . .
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To some extent Natural Law is compatible with Christianity. It is compatible with the idea that God
made the world …
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However, some scholars could use the Bible to argue that Natural Law is not compatible with
Christianity. It conflicts with the moral teachings of Jesus...
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Candidates will be expected to give examples of the application of Natural
Law
The application of Natural Law to sexual ethics
Same sex relationships
In Western society there is a growing assumption that there is no moral issue about same-sex
relationships. However, some still hold the view that same sex relationships are immoral.
Christians have traditionally viewed same sex relationships as wrong for many reasons. There is no
possibility of life arising from the sexual union, and so it’s wrong on a natural law basis. Same- sex
marriages previously haven’t been permitted and so any kind of homosexual sex has taken place outside
marriage which is considered sinful, along with all other forms of sex outside marriage.
The Natural Law approach to ethics tends to separate off the sexual act itself from general issues of
sexuality, sexual orientation, and the social context of sexual activity. Since the natural and biological
purpose of sex is procreation, it tends to regard a sexual act as objectively either right or wrong,
depending on whether or not it includes the possibility of fulfilling its natural function – the procreation
of children.
On this basis anything that cannot lead to procreation is deemed to be wrong, including same sex acts.
Sexual orientation itself, however, if it does not lead to specific sexual acts, does not come under the
same criticism. Therefore, a Natural Law approach to LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual)
people maintains there’s no sin in an inclination towards a member of the same sex, as such an
inclination isn’t freely chosen and is a trial for the person. The LGBT person should be treated with
respect, compassion and sensitivity, and unjust discrimination should be avoided. The Catholic Church,
based on Natural Law, teaches that such people are called to chastity with the help of friendship, prayer
and grace to achieve God’s perfection.
Questions
1. What is applied ethics?
2. What do scholars mean by the phrase ‘sexual ethics’?
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Research current articles on same sex relationships from the BBC website – news or ethics
3. What would natural law say in response to these articles and the issues raised? Use pages 123124 to help
4. Write out the reasoning for it in your notes
Read pages 12 and 13 of the WJEC Ethics booklet
5. In your notes. Write a summary of the Natural Law approach to sexual ethics and a summary of
the Christian point of view.
6. What are the similarities between the two approaches?
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7.
Evaluating the Natural Law approach to same sex relationships
There are difficulties with the Natural Law approach to same sex relationships. The nature and purpose
of an action are not given in nature, it is the result of rational assessment, and it may be far from clear
what that nature is.
Is sex simply a means of conceiving children? It is arguable that the unitive act between a loving couple
is a good enough purpose for sex, despite being non-reproductive. It could be argued, for example, that
- if sex were only there for the purpose of conception – sexual attraction would be limited to those
occasions and partners with whom conception is a likely prospect. This is, after all, the situation with
many animals, where sexual attraction is mainly found at the time when the female is likely to conceive.
On the other hand, if sexual feelings arise naturally without any desire or ability to conceive, it might be
suggested that those feelings are designed with some other end in mind. It is, therefore, by no means
absolutely clear that sex has a single purpose. If we reject the reproductive imperative in sex, then
Natural Law no longer opposed homosexual sex.
Burton M. Leiser, in his article ‘Homosexuality, morals, and the law of nature’ claimed that many objects
can be used for a variety of purposes for example; a screwdriver can be used to pop the cap of a bottle.
Sexual organs are suited for reproduction and for the production of intense pleasure in oneself and
others. Leiser argues that if the purpose of sexual organs is reproduction, then marriage between
elderly couples who can’t have children is unnatural. To condemn people for using their sexual organs
for their own pleasure reveals the prejudices and irrational taboos of our society.
Summary of Opposition to the Natural Law approach to same sex relationships
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There are sexual acts at non-fertile times of the menstrual cycle which is non-reproductive. In a
heterosexual relationship these are not considered sinful. Sex after menopause is another
example. What if both male and female or just one of the couple is infertile? The conclusion
may be, if we reject the need for reproduction them LGBT relationships could be acceptable.
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Sexual organs have more than one use, creating pleasure is another purpose, a purpose
satisfied through sex, either homo – or – hetero.
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According to the Natural L aw and sex, elderly couples should not have sex. It would be
considered unnatural.
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7 Write up your own list of strengths and weaknesses with regards to natural law and sexual ethics
Strengths
Weaknesses
8 ‘Natural Law provides clear ethical teaching on sexual ethics’. Assess this claim. 15 marks AO2
Write up an essay plan
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The application of Natural Law to an ethical theory.
To what extent is the Natural Law approach compatible with other ideas found in
Christianity?
The Natural Law approach to
sexual ethics
The Roman Catholic approach to
sexual ethics
The Quakers approach to sexual
ethics
It is based on Divine Law
Genesis 1:28
Genesis 2:24
However, in Genesis 1:27
The Catechism states that
Similarities between Natural Law and the Roman Catholic approach?
Any differences ?
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