What is Natural Law Ethics?
Language and Ideas・4 minutes read
Natural law ethics, according to St. Thomas Aquinas, emphasizes reason as the foundation of moral law, guiding individuals towards the good found within human nature. Actions must align with human reason and conscience to satisfy the three natural inclinations of self-preservation, just dealing with others, and propagation of the human species.
Insights
- Natural law ethics, as outlined by St. Thomas Aquinas, emphasizes that moral law is rooted in reason and is discoverable within human nature, guiding individuals towards the good through actions aligned with self-preservation, just interactions with others, and propagation of the human species.
- Adhering to one's conscience in natural law ethics requires actions to align with the three-fold human inclinations of self-preservation, just dealing with others, and propagation of the human species, highlighting the necessity of moral law and conscience harmony for ethical behavior within this framework.
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Recent questions
What is natural law ethics?
Moral law based on reason guiding human actions.
What are the three natural human inclinations?
Self-preservation, just dealing with others, propagation of species.
Who is attributed to natural law ethics?
St. Thomas Aquinas.
What dictates actions in natural law ethics?
Moral law derived from Eternal law or God's idea.
How does natural law ethics define immoral actions?
Actions conflicting with natural human inclinations.
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Summary
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"Natural Law Ethics: Reason Guides Moral Law"
- Natural law ethics, attributed to St. Thomas Aquinas, asserts that reason is the basis of moral law, guiding individuals towards the good, which is discoverable within human nature. The moral law, derived from the Eternal law or God's idea, dictates that actions must align with human reason and conscience, satisfying the three-fold natural inclinations of self-preservation, just dealing with others, and propagation of the human species.
- Actions in accordance with one's conscience, as per natural law ethics, must adhere to the three natural human inclinations: self-preservation, just dealing with others, and propagation of the human species. Any action conflicting with these inclinations is considered immoral, emphasizing the importance of aligning actions with the moral law and conscience in this ethical framework.
