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28 Jun 2022
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Jasmine Fellows
@jasminefellows_slen
Natural Moral Lawis a comprehensive ethical framework rooted in... Show more
Natural Moral Law, as developed by Thomas Aquinas, is based on the belief that humans naturally strive to do good. This concept is structured around four tiers of law:
Definition: Natural Law - The moral principles that can be derived from reason and observation of nature, applicable to all humans.
The foundation of Natural Moral Law is the idea that it is inherently good and based on reason. It aims to allow every human to flourish.
Quote: "Natural Law must always be understood as a principle, not a legal system of regulations" - Thomas Hobbes
Highlight: Natural Moral Law is intended to be universal and accessible through human reason, making it potentially applicable across different cultures and belief systems.
Natural Moral Law is structured around precepts, or moral rules, derived from human nature and reason. These are divided into primary and secondary precepts.
The key precept, known as synderesis, states that "good is to be done and evil to be avoided" . This forms the foundation for all other precepts.
Primary Precepts:
Example: The precept of "preservation of life" would generally prohibit murder and require the protection of innocent life.
Secondary Precepts are derived from the primary precepts through the use of reason. For example, from the primary precept of reproduction, one might derive a secondary precept against homosexuality .
Highlight: It's important to note that these derivations, especially regarding topics like homosexuality, are controversial and not universally accepted in modern interpretations of Natural Moral Law.
Aquinas introduced the concept of "real and apparent goods" to explain why people sometimes do evil. He argued that evil is never directly desirable but is sought indirectly due to errors in reasoning.
Quote: "No evil can be desirable" - Aquinas
The Doctrine of Double Effect, also introduced by Aquinas, deals with actions that have both good and bad effects. It states that such actions may be permissible if:
Example: In self-defense, the intention to save one's own life could justify an action that results in harm to an attacker, provided the force used is not excessive.
Natural Moral Law, despite its influential role in ethical philosophy, faces several criticisms:
Quote: "Using nature as the basis for morality is narrow and completely unhistorical" - Hans Küng
Quote: "We may have many purposes. Heterosexuality serves one, homosexuality may serve another" - Posner
Vocabulary: Naturalistic Fallacy - The error of deriving moral conclusions from non-moral premises about nature.
Despite these criticisms, Natural Moral Law has several strengths:
Highlight: Natural Moral Law attempts to provide a universal ethical framework based on reason and nature, which can be appealing in its clarity and potential universality.
The theory continues to be influential in ethical discussions, particularly in religious contexts, while also facing ongoing debate and reinterpretation in light of modern ethical challenges.
The final page examines both criticisms and benefits of Natural Moral Law theory.
Highlight: The theory provides clear, universal principles while allowing for individual reasoning.
Quote: "There is within this negativity a protest against man as he actually is" - Helmut Thielicke
Example: The Ten Commandments demonstrate how moral laws can both limit and guide human nature.
Natural Moral Law is a deontological and absolute ethical theory with roots in Aristotelian philosophy. The theory posits that moral truths can be discerned through reason and observation of nature.
Aristotle introduced the concept of telos, or purpose, arguing that fulfilling one's natural purpose leads to eudaimonia . This idea forms the foundation of Natural Moral Law, suggesting that what is natural is inherently good.
Highlight: The concept that "what is natural is good" has been criticized as a naturalistic fallacy by philosophers like G.E. Moore.
Thomas Aquinas further developed this theory in his work "Summa Theologica". He argued that the purpose of human life is not merely happiness, but perfection - striving to be as god-like as possible.
Quote: "Good has a certain order to be apprehended universally" - Aquinas
Aquinas emphasized that humans have been given reason by God to discern how to achieve this perfection by observing nature. This concept of reason aligns with Cicero's statement that "true law is right reason in agreement with nature."
Vocabulary: Telos - The ultimate purpose or aim of something.
Vocabulary: Eudaimonia - A state of human flourishing or well-being.
The theory posits that while our ultimate end cannot be found in this world, nature reveals our purpose and provides guidance for moral behavior.
App Store
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Jasmine Fellows
@jasminefellows_slen
Natural Moral Law is a comprehensive ethical framework rooted in reason and divine purpose, establishing universal moral principles through observation of nature and divine wisdom.
Key aspects:
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Natural Moral Law, as developed by Thomas Aquinas, is based on the belief that humans naturally strive to do good. This concept is structured around four tiers of law:
Definition: Natural Law - The moral principles that can be derived from reason and observation of nature, applicable to all humans.
The foundation of Natural Moral Law is the idea that it is inherently good and based on reason. It aims to allow every human to flourish.
Quote: "Natural Law must always be understood as a principle, not a legal system of regulations" - Thomas Hobbes
Highlight: Natural Moral Law is intended to be universal and accessible through human reason, making it potentially applicable across different cultures and belief systems.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Natural Moral Law is structured around precepts, or moral rules, derived from human nature and reason. These are divided into primary and secondary precepts.
The key precept, known as synderesis, states that "good is to be done and evil to be avoided" . This forms the foundation for all other precepts.
Primary Precepts:
Example: The precept of "preservation of life" would generally prohibit murder and require the protection of innocent life.
Secondary Precepts are derived from the primary precepts through the use of reason. For example, from the primary precept of reproduction, one might derive a secondary precept against homosexuality .
Highlight: It's important to note that these derivations, especially regarding topics like homosexuality, are controversial and not universally accepted in modern interpretations of Natural Moral Law.
Aquinas introduced the concept of "real and apparent goods" to explain why people sometimes do evil. He argued that evil is never directly desirable but is sought indirectly due to errors in reasoning.
Quote: "No evil can be desirable" - Aquinas
The Doctrine of Double Effect, also introduced by Aquinas, deals with actions that have both good and bad effects. It states that such actions may be permissible if:
Example: In self-defense, the intention to save one's own life could justify an action that results in harm to an attacker, provided the force used is not excessive.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Natural Moral Law, despite its influential role in ethical philosophy, faces several criticisms:
Quote: "Using nature as the basis for morality is narrow and completely unhistorical" - Hans Küng
Quote: "We may have many purposes. Heterosexuality serves one, homosexuality may serve another" - Posner
Vocabulary: Naturalistic Fallacy - The error of deriving moral conclusions from non-moral premises about nature.
Despite these criticisms, Natural Moral Law has several strengths:
Highlight: Natural Moral Law attempts to provide a universal ethical framework based on reason and nature, which can be appealing in its clarity and potential universality.
The theory continues to be influential in ethical discussions, particularly in religious contexts, while also facing ongoing debate and reinterpretation in light of modern ethical challenges.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
The final page examines both criticisms and benefits of Natural Moral Law theory.
Highlight: The theory provides clear, universal principles while allowing for individual reasoning.
Quote: "There is within this negativity a protest against man as he actually is" - Helmut Thielicke
Example: The Ten Commandments demonstrate how moral laws can both limit and guide human nature.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Natural Moral Law is a deontological and absolute ethical theory with roots in Aristotelian philosophy. The theory posits that moral truths can be discerned through reason and observation of nature.
Aristotle introduced the concept of telos, or purpose, arguing that fulfilling one's natural purpose leads to eudaimonia . This idea forms the foundation of Natural Moral Law, suggesting that what is natural is inherently good.
Highlight: The concept that "what is natural is good" has been criticized as a naturalistic fallacy by philosophers like G.E. Moore.
Thomas Aquinas further developed this theory in his work "Summa Theologica". He argued that the purpose of human life is not merely happiness, but perfection - striving to be as god-like as possible.
Quote: "Good has a certain order to be apprehended universally" - Aquinas
Aquinas emphasized that humans have been given reason by God to discern how to achieve this perfection by observing nature. This concept of reason aligns with Cicero's statement that "true law is right reason in agreement with nature."
Vocabulary: Telos - The ultimate purpose or aim of something.
Vocabulary: Eudaimonia - A state of human flourishing or well-being.
The theory posits that while our ultimate end cannot be found in this world, nature reveals our purpose and provides guidance for moral behavior.
App Store
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user