AQUINAS’
NATURAL
LAW
LEARNING OUTCOMES
BY THE END OF THIS LESSON, YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO:
1. Explain how natural
law as a reflection
3. Perceive
of eternal law. happiness as
constitutive of
2. Recognize the meaning moral and cardinal
of natural law and its
virtues.
tenets.
ESSENCE OF LAW
LESSON VARIOUS KINDS OF LAWS
ETERNAL LAW
OUTLINE NATURAL LAW
ITS TENETS
HAPPINESS AS CONSTITUTIVE
OF CARDINAL VIRTUES
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS
m as Aq ui na s (1 22 5- 12 74 )w as a
Tho
phi lo sop he r an d th eo lo gi an .
He was born in 1225 in
Roccaseca, a castle in the
Frosinone province.
He prod uc ed a co mp re he ns iv e
si s of Ch ri st ia n th eo logy
synthe
and Aristotelian philosophy
THE ESSENCE OF LAW
ESSENCE OF LAW
ARTICLE. 1 - WHETHER LAW IS SOMETHING
PERTAINING TO REASON?
OBJECTIONS RESPONSE
Law is not something pertaining to Laws come from our ability to think
reason. and reason.
In reason, there is nothing else but Laws are rules we follow, and these
power, habit, and act. rules come from our ability to reason
Law moves those who are subject to it Our reason plays a big part in making
to act right. laws.
ESSENCE OF LAW
ARTICLE. 2 - WHETHER THE LAW IS ALWAYS
SOMETHING DIRECTED TO THE COMMON GOOD?
OBJECTIONS RESPONSE
Law is not always directed to the common laws can include rules to guide us
good as to its end towards the common good.
laws relate to how people act situations
Law directs man in his actions.
to contribute to the common good
"If the law is based on reason, whatever the primary focus of true law is the
is based on reason will be a law." common good
ESSENCE OF LAW
ARTICLE. 3 - WHETHER THE REASON OF ANY
MAN IS COMPETENT TO MAKE LAWS?
OBJECTIONS RESPONSE
The reason of any man is competent to Individuals can follow what's right
make laws in their hearts
"The intention of the lawgiver is to Private individuals can only offer
lead men to virtue." advice, not enforce rules
“Every father of a family governs his the good of a household is for the
household.” common good of the larger community
ESSENCE OF LAW
ARTICLE. 4 - WHETHER PROMULGATION IS
ESSENTIAL TO A LAW?
OBJECTIONS RESPONSE
Natural law doesn't need explicit
Promulgation is not essential to a law.
promulgation because it's naturally known
It belongs properly to a law to bind Laws must be applied to those they govern
one to do or not to do something. to be effective.
"Laws are binding in matters of the Promulgation endures as written laws
future," perpetuate into the future.
SUMMARY
THE ESSENCE OF LAW
1. Law is an ordinance of reason.
2. Law is an ordinance of reason for the common
good of persons in a society.
3. A law is thus an ordinance of reason for the
common good.
4. A law must be promulgated.
OF THE VARIOUS
KINDS OF LAW
six points of inquiry:
(1) Whether there is an eternal law?
(2) Whether there is a natural law?
-is a fundamental principle
of governance emanating from
the Divine Reason ETERNAL LAW
WHETHER THERE IS AN ETERNAL LAW?
-Immutable and Unchangeable
-Preordained by God, with its
concept existing in God's
foreknowledge.
ETERNAL LAW
points of inquiry:
-What is Eternal Law?
-Is Eterna Law known to all?
-Is every law derived from
the Eternal Law?
NATURAL LAW
Whether there is in us a natural law?
IS NATURAL LAW IS A HABIT? Habit as
Something Held:
Habit in two ways: Habit can also
mean something we
hold or possess
by habit.
It can be It's more Other times,
something like the these principles
essential reside in our
to our reasoned reason
habitually,
actions guidance for meaning they're
there, ready to
our actions. be used when
needed.
Article 4: Whether the natural law is the same in all men?
OBJECTIONS RESPONSE
Found both in the Law and
Some things are beyond nature
the Gospel.
Exceptions for some Exception are derived from
individuals universal principles
People have different Inclinitions should be
natural inclinations. accordance with reason
Article 5: Whether the Natural law can be Change?
OBJECTIONS RESPONSE
Law of the letter is intended Fill any gaps and correct
to correct the natural law. misunderstanding.
Some God’s command seem to Actions take on different
involve changes to moral moral character when commnaded
principles. by God.
Human laws have changed other Aligns what nature naturally
principles incclines us to do.
Article 6: Whether the Law of Nature can be abolished from the
Heart of Man?
OBJECTIONS RESPONSE
Natural is often equated to Universal aspects of the
the law of righteousness. natural law remains.
Nature is fundamental and
Sin can remove law of Nature
essential to humans.
Flexibility of natural law
Human-made laws
due to circumstances.
AQUINAS’
NATURAL LAW
THEORY HAS THE
FOLLOWING
TENETS:
BASIC TENETS
1. Eternal law of God is revealed through the Natural Law.
2. Natural Law is revealed to all people through human reason.
3. Natural law has flexibility in its application.
4. The natural laws are universal and unchangeable bases to judge
individual cultures and societies.
5. Everything in the world has its own nature or purpose (natural
law) of being.
6. Humanity has an essential rational nature.
7. Human person can know, through reason, what is in accord with
his own nature, which is good.
HAPPINESS AS
CONSTITUTIVE
OF CARDINAL
VIRTUES
Happiness is not found
in material world
and created things; it
is only found in God in
who is the source of
everything that is good
and perfect.
HAPPINESS IS AND WILL BE
THROUGH THE MORAL
VIRTUES
BECAUSE THERE IS NO
HAPPINESS WITHOUT VIRTUE
AND NO VIRTUE WITHOUT
SELF-STRUGGLE.
THE FOUR CARDINAL VIRTUES
1: Prudence
RIGHT REASON IN ACTION
2: Moral Courage
PERSEVERANCE IN ADVERSITY
3: Justice
JUSTICE IS GIVING WHAT FAIRLY
BELONGS TO OTHERS AND TO GOD
4: Temperance
TEMPERANCE IS THE PRACTICE OF
SELF-CONTROL, ABSTENTION AND
MODERATION.
OPEN FORUM
REFERENCE LINK
GE 8 ETHICS MODULE 9 ST. THOMAS
AQUINAS NATURAL LAW AND ITS
TENETS
ASSIGNMENT
IN A 1/2 PAPER, ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS IN
3-5 SENTENCES. 5 POINTS EACH.
1. THERE ARE 7 BASIC TENET IN AQUINAS'
NATURAL LAW, CHOOSE 1 TENET AND EXPLAIN
ITS IDEA AND GIVE EXAMPLES THAT APPLIES TO
YOUR MORAL DECISION MAKING.
2. HOW IMPORTANT IS HAPPINESS IN MORAL
VIRTUES? SITE EXAMPLES ON HOW WE CAN
ACHIEVE HAPPINESS IN MORAL VIRTUES.
