1. ETHICS ~ NATURAL LAW
Using purpose and reason to follow God’s laws!

2. 1. DA BEGININ’
 It is Deontological which means what comes
Naturally to us, right or wrong.
 Aquinas was inspired by Aristotle’s ideas in
which he developed Natural law.
 Aristotle believed that the key purpose to
human existence is the ability to reason
(rationality)

3. 2. NATURAL LAW THINKING
 Aristotle:
 As an example of this, a good knife is one that cuts well.
 It must be an agent to bringing something about
(Efficient cause) and to fulfil its final purpose of something
(Final cause)
Something is good as long as it
fulfils it’s purpose.
Efficient cause:
What gets it done
Final cause:
The final result

4. 3. A.L.D THEORY
 Aquinas’ Natural law is often thought to be a
Absolutist, legalistic and deontological theory!
 Absolutist
 Believing there are normal morals that apply to all
situations.
 Legalistic
 The idea to obey religious laws to gain eternal life!
 Deontological
 To follow your duty whether the actions are right or
wrong.

5. 4. CARDINAL VIRTUES
 The meaning of virtues is the ‘excellence’ of a character’s
personal qualities.
 These are important to fulfil a humans true nature and to avoid
sin!
 There are 4 virtues:
 Prudence: the ability to think before you act (wisdom)
 Justice: balance the thinking of yourself and others
(fairness)
 Fortitude: Determination not to give up (courage)
 Temperance: resisting temptation (self control)
Prepare To Fight 4 Justice!

6. 5. REVEALED VIRTUES
 The three revealed virtues involve faith, hope
and charity. They can only be received if
infused by divine grace.
 Faith: To follow and believe in God
 Hope: That there is life after death with God.
 Charity: To be selfless and to think of others.

7. 6. AQUINAS’ PURPOSE
 Aquinas says that sin is ‘the missing mark’ and
that we cannot do anything about it.
 Aquinas formed 5 purposes of life:
Worship God
Orderly Society
Reproduce
Learn
Defend life

8. 7. PRIMARY PRECEPTS
 Aquinas’ 5 purposes of life (WORLD) make up
the primary precepts.
 They identify the good acts within a humans life
and our God-given purpose. They are absolute.
 This reflects on our Telos (final purpose):
 God created us
 God gave us reason
 We use our reason to find our purpose
 Our purpose is to get back to God!

9. 8. SECONDARY PRECEPTS
 Unlike primary, these are not always right. Their rules
provide flexibility in extreme situations and can be
broken.
 For each of the 5 primary precepts, the secondary
precepts gives rules involving what should or shouldn’t
be done.
 Examples:
 Worship God: Go to church, Pray, Do not worship false idols.
 Ordered society: Do not steal, Respect others.
 Reproduce: Homosexuality is wrong, have children only
within marriage.
 Learn: Right to education, Use your talents.
 Defend life: Stop abortion, Stop Euthanasia.

10. 9. INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR ACTS
 An interior act involves a good action with a good
motive. E.g. Giving to the poor to help them.
 An exterior act is an action that seems right but with a
wrong motive. E.g. Giving to the poor to show off your
wealth.
 But double effect which involves an interior act does not
mean that the good act would lead to a happy
consequence. Such as a doctor trying to save a
pregnant woman's life. The result may lead to the child
dying, but his intention was not this, therefore his motive
was good.