WJEC A Level Religious Studies - Religion and
Ethics
Natural Law and Deontological Ethics - Flashcard Set
106 edited question-and-answer cards
Question Answer
What is deontological ethics? Deontological ethics judges actions primarily by duties, rules
or principles rather than solely by their consequences.
What is the basic idea of Creation has a rational, purposive order established by God.
Aquinas' Natural Law? Human reason can identify the goods and purposes built into
human nature and derive moral duties from them.
What is synderesis? Synderesis is the natural rational disposition to recognise the
basic principle that good should be pursued and evil avoided.
Quote by St Paul. The natural law of God is "written in the hearts" of Gentiles.
What do the Ancient Stoics Logos - the rationality that governs the world and sees
emphasis the importance of? human nature as part of one natural order.
What did Aristotle see as the Eudaimonia.
goal of human life?
Quote by Cicero (Roman "Unchanging and everlasting; it summons to duty by its
Lawyer) on the first account of commands, and averts from wrongdoings by its prohibitions."
Natural Law.
Why is reason central to Aquinas argues that human beings participate in eternal law
Aquinas' Natural Law? through reason. Reason allows moral principles to be
understood and applied rather than followed through blind
obedience.
According to natural law, what The rational understanding of God's final purpose.
is the highest good?
Quote by Aquinas on the "Natural Law is the same for all men... there is a single
definition of natural law. standard of truth and right for everyone... which is known by
everyone."
What is the term for practical Phronesis.
wisdom?
Why is it important to keep Natural law was created by God and designed to achieve the
natural law? ultimate purpose. Means doing actions that develop our
image to reflect as closely as possible to the image of God.
What are Aquinas' four levels Eternal Law Divine Law Natural Law Human Law.
of law?
What is eternal law? God creates everything and his will and wisdom is revealed
to us through divine law.
What is divine law? The sacred text and teachings of the Church.
What is natural law? The innate human ability to know what is naturally right.
What is human law? Developed from natural law for example, laws found in the
legal system.
Unofficial independent revision resource. Not affiliated with or endorsed by WJEC/CBAC or Eduqas.
, Question Answer
What are the 5 primary • Preserve life.
precepts? • Orderly living in society.
• Worship God.
• Educate children.
• Reproduce.
What are secondary precepts? Secondary precepts are practical rules derived through
reason from the primary precepts. Their application may vary
according to circumstances, knowledge and social conditions.
What is the term when core Casuistry.
principles of predetermined
moral behaviour are applied to
a 'case', context or situation?
Why can natural law be seen as What should be done is seen as being determined by
deontological? fundamental principles that are not based on consequences.
Why does Natural Law also Its duties are directed towards the fulfilment of human
have a teleological aspect? purposes and the final end of union with God.
Quote by Aquinas on the "Man needs to be directed to his supernatural end in a higher
direction of man. way."
Biblical quote for natural law. Hebrews 10:16 "I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will
write them on their minds."
What is Aquinas' synderesis Human practical reason naturally recognises the basic
principle? command to do good and avoid evil.
What is the name of Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics.
book?
Quote by Aquinas about God "The world is ruled by divine providence..." "It is ordained by
and His providence. God to the government of things foreknown by him."
Quote on how God created us "Man needs to be directed to his supernatural end in a higher
with inbuilt synderesis. way."
What is a quote to support that "Natural law is the same for all men... there is a single
'subjectivity is not a thing'? standard of truth and right for everyone... which is known by
everyone."
What is a criticism of Natural Aquinas gives a too simple view of human nature for
Law by Vardy and Grosch in example, sexuality is just about reproduction.
'The puzzle of Ethics'?
What are the 7 virtues? The 4 Cardinal virtues and 3 revealed virtues.
What are the three revealed Faith, hope, love.
virtues?
What does Aquinas think about These are the superlative virtues that define and direct all
the three revealed virtues? other virtues. They are aspirational and cannot be fully
achieved in this world, before far above the capacity of a
human being.
What is the term for blissful Beatific Vision.
happiness?
Quote by Aquinas on moral Human beings "attain their last end by knowing and loving
agents reaching the end. God"
Unofficial independent revision resource. Not affiliated with or endorsed by WJEC/CBAC or Eduqas.
Ethics
Natural Law and Deontological Ethics - Flashcard Set
106 edited question-and-answer cards
Question Answer
What is deontological ethics? Deontological ethics judges actions primarily by duties, rules
or principles rather than solely by their consequences.
What is the basic idea of Creation has a rational, purposive order established by God.
Aquinas' Natural Law? Human reason can identify the goods and purposes built into
human nature and derive moral duties from them.
What is synderesis? Synderesis is the natural rational disposition to recognise the
basic principle that good should be pursued and evil avoided.
Quote by St Paul. The natural law of God is "written in the hearts" of Gentiles.
What do the Ancient Stoics Logos - the rationality that governs the world and sees
emphasis the importance of? human nature as part of one natural order.
What did Aristotle see as the Eudaimonia.
goal of human life?
Quote by Cicero (Roman "Unchanging and everlasting; it summons to duty by its
Lawyer) on the first account of commands, and averts from wrongdoings by its prohibitions."
Natural Law.
Why is reason central to Aquinas argues that human beings participate in eternal law
Aquinas' Natural Law? through reason. Reason allows moral principles to be
understood and applied rather than followed through blind
obedience.
According to natural law, what The rational understanding of God's final purpose.
is the highest good?
Quote by Aquinas on the "Natural Law is the same for all men... there is a single
definition of natural law. standard of truth and right for everyone... which is known by
everyone."
What is the term for practical Phronesis.
wisdom?
Why is it important to keep Natural law was created by God and designed to achieve the
natural law? ultimate purpose. Means doing actions that develop our
image to reflect as closely as possible to the image of God.
What are Aquinas' four levels Eternal Law Divine Law Natural Law Human Law.
of law?
What is eternal law? God creates everything and his will and wisdom is revealed
to us through divine law.
What is divine law? The sacred text and teachings of the Church.
What is natural law? The innate human ability to know what is naturally right.
What is human law? Developed from natural law for example, laws found in the
legal system.
Unofficial independent revision resource. Not affiliated with or endorsed by WJEC/CBAC or Eduqas.
, Question Answer
What are the 5 primary • Preserve life.
precepts? • Orderly living in society.
• Worship God.
• Educate children.
• Reproduce.
What are secondary precepts? Secondary precepts are practical rules derived through
reason from the primary precepts. Their application may vary
according to circumstances, knowledge and social conditions.
What is the term when core Casuistry.
principles of predetermined
moral behaviour are applied to
a 'case', context or situation?
Why can natural law be seen as What should be done is seen as being determined by
deontological? fundamental principles that are not based on consequences.
Why does Natural Law also Its duties are directed towards the fulfilment of human
have a teleological aspect? purposes and the final end of union with God.
Quote by Aquinas on the "Man needs to be directed to his supernatural end in a higher
direction of man. way."
Biblical quote for natural law. Hebrews 10:16 "I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will
write them on their minds."
What is Aquinas' synderesis Human practical reason naturally recognises the basic
principle? command to do good and avoid evil.
What is the name of Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics.
book?
Quote by Aquinas about God "The world is ruled by divine providence..." "It is ordained by
and His providence. God to the government of things foreknown by him."
Quote on how God created us "Man needs to be directed to his supernatural end in a higher
with inbuilt synderesis. way."
What is a quote to support that "Natural law is the same for all men... there is a single
'subjectivity is not a thing'? standard of truth and right for everyone... which is known by
everyone."
What is a criticism of Natural Aquinas gives a too simple view of human nature for
Law by Vardy and Grosch in example, sexuality is just about reproduction.
'The puzzle of Ethics'?
What are the 7 virtues? The 4 Cardinal virtues and 3 revealed virtues.
What are the three revealed Faith, hope, love.
virtues?
What does Aquinas think about These are the superlative virtues that define and direct all
the three revealed virtues? other virtues. They are aspirational and cannot be fully
achieved in this world, before far above the capacity of a
human being.
What is the term for blissful Beatific Vision.
happiness?
Quote by Aquinas on moral Human beings "attain their last end by knowing and loving
agents reaching the end. God"
Unofficial independent revision resource. Not affiliated with or endorsed by WJEC/CBAC or Eduqas.
