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Ethics Module 14

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312 views7 pages

Ethics Module 14

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Uploaded by

Kristina Glase
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Thomas Aquinas: Natural Law and Happiness it the end of this module, the students should be able to: discuss Thomas Aquinas’ natural law ethics; differentiate Aristotle's and Aquinas’ concepts of the ultimate end; and critically evaluate their choices and decisions in the light of the concept of the ultimate end. This module discusses the meaning and nature of law the context of the teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas. It resents the different kinds of laws and natural law ethics it can guide a person in making moral decisions. Scanned with CamScanner 13th centur Thomas Aquinas ts was born in the n of Roceasecea, ne ily in the small tow >, Italy, in what was then the Kingdom of Sicily a Dominican priest as of Aquin or Aquino was at philosopher and classical onsidered as a gre | theology during atly influenced who was ¢ proponent of natural the period of Scholasticism. Aquina of Christian theolog al, His most important and and Summa © as’ philosophy gre y in particular and the foundations Western philosophy in gener summa Theologica enduring works are the stians). Contra Gentiles (addressed to non-Chr Meaning and Nature of Law Law is an ordinance of reason forthe the actions of the community. According to Aquitt act or is restrained from common good made to regulate aw is “a certain rule and measure of acts whereby man is induced to acting.” Main Functions of Law 1. Itis directed towards specific ends. 2. Itinduces man to act in a certain way. 3. Itrestrains man from acting in certain ways. Basic Elements of Law 1. Alawis an ee of practical reason. It binds or obligates a person to a particular behavior. It is based on an i i j is : 3 an intelligent ju: vhat is right and wrong. gent judgment of 2. The lawi: i Jaw is meant to further the interests of the entire community, and not just of a few individuals. : The people ci . ae can enact their laws, or laws can be made through e represel ive resentative who works on behalf of the common goo4- 4, The people are expect peop! are expected to be properly oriented and informed abot" the law. The law must a ist be communicat ae E ‘ated clearly, made avly own early, publicized, oF ™ Scanned with CamScanner ind of law ermal Law ~ According to str ere St.Thomas because of God's divine ofthe entire universe, Ete Aquina " IMINAS, this is the Providence, thal law is the aw tha Wis what governs the natnee basis for all othe e nature + kinds of laws 1 Of Fight oF justi rf AHL oF justice and derived from n people participate in the ete formulation of th », Natural Law ~ It indicates the syste © common to all humans Id to be nature, Aquinas states tha Tnal law through the natural la moral law is “do good; avoid evil he basic |. Divine Law ~Itis derives from eternal law as it appears to humans, especially through revelation, ;, Human ~ It is enacted and enforced in society. Promotion of virtue is necessary for the common good and human laws are instruments in the promotion of virtue. Most people are kept from crime by fear of the law. Natural Law Ethics ‘The natural law moral theory banks on the claim that moral standards are derived from the nature of the world and of human beings. Since the eternal law of divine reason, according to St. Thomas Aquinas, is unknowable to human beings, the law of nature is “nothing else than the ganticipation of the eternal law in the rational creature.” Human beings have natural appetites that they share with cons re are sense appetites such as love, fear, and hate. It's the eon apne ee humans that make them unique and special. According 104 gas iscontrary to the order of reason is contrary to the order of i nas, is the law to ‘the first precept of the natural law, according to Aquinas, is a the rational ¢o good and avoid evil. What is good and evilis isieioe ee nature of human beings. Good and evil are both : “term or long-teF™, ‘is human nature that one acts, whether in tre ROTTS ‘vachieve what is good. Three Ends of Human Beings 1 ‘lo preserve life To reproduce 'o belong in society Scanned with CamScanner = ps Tarai The three ends of human beings derived from natur strumental to human perfection, These jon and reflec cr from their natural tendeg! spring, al human inchi Primary precepts (laws) Humans choose the ones that are ied with cons ion throug) nit eval revealed when the arly perceptible in the light of rea inclinal use of reason, Obj natural inclination and is mad sare pul fivine guides er crive goodness human observation, inte nditions may change. Hurnia, prestatis Reason is not absolute because and reasoning may err, and situations oF 60! | reason continuously explores and develops towards perfection otle in thinking that the goodness or ev utes to or hinders one from his re tion. The way to attain one’, Aquinas agrees with Arist ofan act depends on whether it contri her ultimate end, which is happiness or perfect ultimate goal requires a consistent and proper use of intellectual and mera virtues. for Aquinas, humans naturally seek perfection to fully realize their existence. They are naturally equipped with certain powers ox “potentialities,” most especially, reason. An individual can reach his or full potential as a human being only with the use of reason. ‘The proy exercise of one’ natural capabilities to do good contributes to his or her moral development. The morality of an action depends on whether itis commensurate with or contrary to one’s nature as a rational being. Conscience: Guide in Making Moral Decisions For Thomas Aquinas, conscience is the natural faculty of hums: reason to distinguish right from wrong. Such process of recognizing rig from wrong is an innate intellectual activity that guides individuals make moral decisions. Aquinas believes that the conscience has ™° parts: synderesis and conscientia. The former is the innate ‘right re" to know good and evil while the latter makes use of the synderesis 9 ™* appropriate decisions. an a one to truly know what is right from wrong, he onan ae of making correct judgements—prudence. 42 when iis actus ia conscience tells him or her that something" Actually wrong, then he or she is excused from the wrong because his or her conscience is ‘hat is wrong. hd s h ; ce is wi Child: a Dt have fully formed consciet What is right from wrong, Scanned with CamScanner ae ae yirtue as the Source of Maral Strength Por Aquinas, viEie is the Me Means to pertect | eet hema activity 1 be ed HH he dey ing, oF practice, Cons veloped tian quinin HOTA DTCC makes Ped Hircugh constant sae virtie which by the source af ol Heong or power that pivalent 0 HA ACE a babe thi HH Of the peroans chy later come b oti Virtue is a abl that helps one to tive righ righ ously Ws shape one’s intellect, will, desires, and emotions. th habit that ' ONO : mvaaepn se human facultic jue what makes One Duman, Good habits are needed | ee nes capabilities 10 the goals or ends that fit his orh pant a Hinect sad the HOF her nature, All of these ofcourse, (0 lead the ultimate end which is happiness sa Three Main Categories of Virtues help perfect the discipline of the mind. The vistue of ni why something |. Intellectual virtu understanding gives is right or why something is wrong, ‘The virtue of wisdom, on the oher one the ability to properly disc hand, perfects one’s understanding, of what bs right and wrong, Moral virtues are the habits that make one a good person, They equip an individual with tHe will 10 always choose what is good. In traditional Christian theology, there ar rdinal virtues; prudence, justice and fortitude, They are called cardinal virtues, Hom , because they are the necessary virtues temperance: the Latin word cardo (hing required to lead a virtuous life, an philosophy are the from the g al virtues in theology and Chris ted with enlightenment resulling, God. The three theological virtues 4 sith, hope, and eharity, Faith helps one to see and understand everything with the eyes of God » trust in the goodness and power ‘of God in times Charity hel erybody with ace of 3. Theologic qual Hope helps one to of weakness and difficulties. the heart of God. The ultimate End: Happiness In God nis, the ultimate Js one to love ev end is happiness in God: I union with According to‘Thomé cording to‘Thomas Aqui ‘sewn but I ca pnp belng in Whe 2 cll v the ology highlight ‘0d, S . . are end in Chenin theoley. m uch perspective of Ihe ultimate aoc her a atone ‘Ultimate end that Hies beyond what ene ng man capacities, Scanned with CamScanner Zz ¥ . th - oe L A ‘old

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