To what extent do the weaknesses of natural law outweigh its strengths?
Natural Law is a theory derived from the Ancient Greeks, most notably Aristotle, in his
teleological world view as having moral force for the purpose of enabling human beings to
flourish (eudemonia). Natural Law theory was further developed by Saint Thomas Aquinas
(1225-1247).
For a theory to be successful, based on its strengths outweighing its weaknesses, it must be
able to be applied to all situations and individuals to whom it relates. Therefore, Natural Law
makes assumptions that may or may not be entirely valid. The inherent weaknesses of this
theory are not outweighed by its strengths.
Natural Law assumes that:
1. The operation of an ordered society governed by four tiers of law: eternal law (derived
from God), natural law (based on reason), divine law, (laws and precepts of scripture) and
human law.
2. Natural Law is an absolutist/ deontological approach to ethics (using rules to distinguish
right from wrong), that are universally binding for the promotion of good outcomes and the
avoidance of evil. This is what Aquinas called the Synderesis Principle.
3. The five primary precepts: (preservation of life, ordering of society, worship of God,
education of children, and reproduction). Secondary precepts are “proximate conclusions of
reason” about how to apply the primary precepts to achieve good ends.
Natural Laws weaknesses are set out below:
Natural Law could be considered as enforcing traditional views that are outdated with 21st
century society. Outcomes are important and ideas of what is right and wrong may differ
from society to society, for example, in relation to same sex marriage. Therefore, human
behaviour is the product of cultural norms and not fixed moral rules/belief in God.
While Natural Law suggests that moral laws can be discovered through reason, it
does not provide a clear method for determining these laws.
Aquinas’ believed that humans have a fixed human nature. However, human natures are
changeable/constantly evolving and may differ in terms of human sexuality and desire.
Consideration of what is rational also changes.
Human beings have many purposes outside of the assumption of an all
encompassing/unified telos that is assumed under Natural Law.
Natural law has the potential to be over-simplistic/rigid. Aquinas states for example, that
humans have a "tendency to do good and avoid evil", but do we? This is perhaps too
general and idealistic.
Natural Moral Law can be rigid and inflexible. It does not consider the consequences of
actions, which can lead to morally problematic outcomes. For example, if lying is considered
inherently wrong, then telling a lie to save a life would also be considered wrong under
Natural Law.
Natural Law is a theory derived from the Ancient Greeks, most notably Aristotle, in his
teleological world view as having moral force for the purpose of enabling human beings to
flourish (eudemonia). Natural Law theory was further developed by Saint Thomas Aquinas
(1225-1247).
For a theory to be successful, based on its strengths outweighing its weaknesses, it must be
able to be applied to all situations and individuals to whom it relates. Therefore, Natural Law
makes assumptions that may or may not be entirely valid. The inherent weaknesses of this
theory are not outweighed by its strengths.
Natural Law assumes that:
1. The operation of an ordered society governed by four tiers of law: eternal law (derived
from God), natural law (based on reason), divine law, (laws and precepts of scripture) and
human law.
2. Natural Law is an absolutist/ deontological approach to ethics (using rules to distinguish
right from wrong), that are universally binding for the promotion of good outcomes and the
avoidance of evil. This is what Aquinas called the Synderesis Principle.
3. The five primary precepts: (preservation of life, ordering of society, worship of God,
education of children, and reproduction). Secondary precepts are “proximate conclusions of
reason” about how to apply the primary precepts to achieve good ends.
Natural Laws weaknesses are set out below:
Natural Law could be considered as enforcing traditional views that are outdated with 21st
century society. Outcomes are important and ideas of what is right and wrong may differ
from society to society, for example, in relation to same sex marriage. Therefore, human
behaviour is the product of cultural norms and not fixed moral rules/belief in God.
While Natural Law suggests that moral laws can be discovered through reason, it
does not provide a clear method for determining these laws.
Aquinas’ believed that humans have a fixed human nature. However, human natures are
changeable/constantly evolving and may differ in terms of human sexuality and desire.
Consideration of what is rational also changes.
Human beings have many purposes outside of the assumption of an all
encompassing/unified telos that is assumed under Natural Law.
Natural law has the potential to be over-simplistic/rigid. Aquinas states for example, that
humans have a "tendency to do good and avoid evil", but do we? This is perhaps too
general and idealistic.
Natural Moral Law can be rigid and inflexible. It does not consider the consequences of
actions, which can lead to morally problematic outcomes. For example, if lying is considered
inherently wrong, then telling a lie to save a life would also be considered wrong under
Natural Law.
