Natural moral law is a philosophical and ethical framework that posits universal moral principles derived from human nature and reason. This theory, developed by thinkers like Aquinas, emphasizes the pursuit of good and avoidance of evil as fundamental to human nature. It outlines primary precepts such as preservation of life and worship of God, along with secondary precepts for specific situations. The strengths of natural moral law include its focus on intrinsic right and wrong, development of virtues, and provision of moral guidelines. However, critics argue it can lead to inflexible rules and potentially harmful outcomes in some cases.
• Natural moral law provides a rational basis for ethics, rooted in human nature and reason.
• It emphasizes primary precepts like preservation of life and worship of God, along with more specific secondary precepts.
• The theory focuses on developing virtues and character, not just following rules.
• Strengths include providing moral absolutes and guidelines, but weaknesses involve potential inflexibility and controversial applications.
• Modern interpretations like proportionalism attempt to address some criticisms while maintaining core principles.
