Natural Law- Table of Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths Weaknesses
Rational – Natural Law uses practical Too simplistic - Humans do not have a
reason in providing an effective method of single human reason and ‘fixed’ human
moral decision making, it is a common-sense nature – an essential human nature is not as
approach based on reason and not obviously self evident as Aquinas claims.
revelation, and this allows individuals to Karl Barth - Natural Law relies too much
follow the principles of natural law. Moral law upon reason - human reason is too corrupt to
is accessible by our reason and it makes be trusted and not enough on the grace of
God's reason accessible to a believer God and revelation. No allowance is made
because humans and God share the same for situationism, relativism or individualism
rationality. Moral decision making is not done Natural Law is man seeking autonomy from
by reason alone. Aquinas also involves God’s commands. Human beings may be
imagination, the body, emotions and made in the image of God, but they are also
passions and the ideal of achieving personal sinners and human reason has the power to
and societal growth. Natural Law establishes discern god from evil, but are corrupted by
common precepts (Primary precepts) and pride and self interest. Difficult to relate
Secondary Precepts that are derivable from complex decisions to basic principles in
these to structure an orderly society in an era practice. Should more money be spent on
of moral relativism/uncertainty. NL is a way schools than hospitals? Human beings have
of living with guiding principles of life. different or changeable natures such as
human sexuality – homosexuality contrary to
Natural Law, Vardy – “there is no conformity
to a specific human nature.”
Flexible – due to the double effect doctrine Inflexible and Traditionalist - promotion of
and application of secondary precepts. conformist “do not” precepts focussing on
laws not persons. Joseph Fletcher (Situation
Ethics) – The situation and results of actions
determine the goodness or badness of an
action, not the action itself.
What counts as natural for the Natural Law
theorist will normally reflect the status quo,
the way things have always been done. Any
argument that urges us to change our moral
stance will tend to fall foul of the Natural Law
argument/position.
Universal – it is universal and absolutist and No universality - Kai Nelson - There is no
so is always relevant. The basic principles of basic human nature present across all
preserving life, reproduction, learning and societies. Human nature is not unchanging
living in society are common in all cultures; as Aquinas assumes.
Therefore, natural law approach is
reasonable.
God - Doesn’t require belief in God, as it is God - Requires belief in God, as it relies on
based on empirical observations of our a God given purpose.
nature
Objective – Natural Law concentrates on Outcomes - Leads to immoral outcomes e.g.
human character and gives us rules that are not allowing contraception led to spread of
true independently of our individual thoughts AIDS and overpopulation in Africa.
and desires. The doctrine of double effect is
a way through moral dilemmas when 2 rules
conflict.
1
Strengths Weaknesses
Rational – Natural Law uses practical Too simplistic - Humans do not have a
reason in providing an effective method of single human reason and ‘fixed’ human
moral decision making, it is a common-sense nature – an essential human nature is not as
approach based on reason and not obviously self evident as Aquinas claims.
revelation, and this allows individuals to Karl Barth - Natural Law relies too much
follow the principles of natural law. Moral law upon reason - human reason is too corrupt to
is accessible by our reason and it makes be trusted and not enough on the grace of
God's reason accessible to a believer God and revelation. No allowance is made
because humans and God share the same for situationism, relativism or individualism
rationality. Moral decision making is not done Natural Law is man seeking autonomy from
by reason alone. Aquinas also involves God’s commands. Human beings may be
imagination, the body, emotions and made in the image of God, but they are also
passions and the ideal of achieving personal sinners and human reason has the power to
and societal growth. Natural Law establishes discern god from evil, but are corrupted by
common precepts (Primary precepts) and pride and self interest. Difficult to relate
Secondary Precepts that are derivable from complex decisions to basic principles in
these to structure an orderly society in an era practice. Should more money be spent on
of moral relativism/uncertainty. NL is a way schools than hospitals? Human beings have
of living with guiding principles of life. different or changeable natures such as
human sexuality – homosexuality contrary to
Natural Law, Vardy – “there is no conformity
to a specific human nature.”
Flexible – due to the double effect doctrine Inflexible and Traditionalist - promotion of
and application of secondary precepts. conformist “do not” precepts focussing on
laws not persons. Joseph Fletcher (Situation
Ethics) – The situation and results of actions
determine the goodness or badness of an
action, not the action itself.
What counts as natural for the Natural Law
theorist will normally reflect the status quo,
the way things have always been done. Any
argument that urges us to change our moral
stance will tend to fall foul of the Natural Law
argument/position.
Universal – it is universal and absolutist and No universality - Kai Nelson - There is no
so is always relevant. The basic principles of basic human nature present across all
preserving life, reproduction, learning and societies. Human nature is not unchanging
living in society are common in all cultures; as Aquinas assumes.
Therefore, natural law approach is
reasonable.
God - Doesn’t require belief in God, as it is God - Requires belief in God, as it relies on
based on empirical observations of our a God given purpose.
nature
Objective – Natural Law concentrates on Outcomes - Leads to immoral outcomes e.g.
human character and gives us rules that are not allowing contraception led to spread of
true independently of our individual thoughts AIDS and overpopulation in Africa.
and desires. The doctrine of double effect is
a way through moral dilemmas when 2 rules
conflict.
1
