Ethics (Paper 2)
,Aquinas’ teaching on human nature
, Aquinas’ teaching on human nature – AO1
• Eternal law – the principles by which God created and controls the universe (we cannot access)
• Divine law – laws revealed to humans by by God e.g. Bible, 10 commandments
• Natural law – moral law implicit in humans and knowable by reason to ‘do good and avoid evil’
• Human law – societal regulations set by humans e.g. Murder is illegal
• ———
• St Paul = ‘the law that is written on men’s hearts’ -> natural law is knowable through human reason, meaning mora
possible even without access to religion
• Aquinas argues that the universe is purposive, and we have a rational will to reach our purpose (eudaimonia – insp
Aristotle) through adherence to the natural moral law
• 5 primary precepts:
• Preservation of oneself and the innocent
• Reproduction
• Educate children
• Live in ordered communities
• Worship God
• Secondary precepts derived from ^ e.g. Abortion is wrong
,Aquinas’ teaching on human nature
, Aquinas’ teaching on human nature – AO1
• Eternal law – the principles by which God created and controls the universe (we cannot access)
• Divine law – laws revealed to humans by by God e.g. Bible, 10 commandments
• Natural law – moral law implicit in humans and knowable by reason to ‘do good and avoid evil’
• Human law – societal regulations set by humans e.g. Murder is illegal
• ———
• St Paul = ‘the law that is written on men’s hearts’ -> natural law is knowable through human reason, meaning mora
possible even without access to religion
• Aquinas argues that the universe is purposive, and we have a rational will to reach our purpose (eudaimonia – insp
Aristotle) through adherence to the natural moral law
• 5 primary precepts:
• Preservation of oneself and the innocent
• Reproduction
• Educate children
• Live in ordered communities
• Worship God
• Secondary precepts derived from ^ e.g. Abortion is wrong
