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1 Dec 2025
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Understanding Aquinas' Natural Law - WJEC Ethics Theme 2
N
Nat Mitchell
@natmitchell_jzjv
1 / 3
Natural Law Foundations
Natural Law rests on the idea that humans possess reason as an innate ability to discern good from evil. This reasoning ability, though fallible (unlike divine reasoning which is infallible), helps us identify our proper purpose and align with God's eternal law.
The framework has a hierarchical structure with Eternal Law at the top—representing God's wisdom and will governing the universe. Natural Law flows from this, representing the moral principles discoverable through human reason. Aquinas includes the Synderesis rule, the fundamental principle that reason directs us to pursue good and avoid evil.
Divine Law (found in scripture) complements Natural Law because human reasoning alone is imperfect. The ultimate purpose of following Natural Law is to achieve the Beatific Vision—restoring our relationship with God damaged by the Fall and gaining eternal life.
💡 Think of Natural Law as your moral compass that's built into your reasoning ability. Unlike human laws that change with governments, Natural Law reflects unchanging moral truths derived from God's eternal design.
Intention, Acts, and Virtues
In Natural Law, both interior acts (intention) and exterior acts (the actions themselves) matter. This deontological approach means actions are intrinsically good or bad regardless of consequences. Good intentions don't redeem inherently wrong actions—stealing for a friend in need remains morally wrong.
Aquinas distinguishes between real goods (actions aligned with reason that help reach our true purpose) and apparent goods (actions that seem good but misuse reason and don't fulfill our purpose). The principle of double effect explains how an action with unintended side effects can still be moral if the primary intention is good.
The Cardinal virtues serve as the hinges of a moral life: prudence (being sensible), courage (discipline facing adversity), temperance , and justice (fairness toward others). These work alongside the revealed virtues from St. Paul: faith (active choice of will), hope (desire for fellowship with God), and love (the greatest virtue that restores our fallen nature).
🔑 As Aquinas said, "What things that we love tell us what we are." Your character is shaped by what you consistently choose and value—your virtues reveal your true self.
Natural Law Applied: Abortion and Euthanasia
Natural Law's principle of the preservation of life directly impacts debates on abortion and euthanasia. While UK law allows abortion up to 24 weeks (and later in cases of severe disability), Catholic interpretation of Natural Law generally opposes abortion as contrary to the sanctity of life and the precept "thou shall not kill."
Catholic theologian Kainz acknowledged the complexity of abortion ethics, suggesting that while virtuous Christians might continue pregnancies even in difficult cases, considerations beyond preservation of life (such as rights to nurture) are also relevant. Biblical passages like Genesis 1:28 ("Be fruitful, multiply") and Psalm 139 inform Christian perspectives.
Regarding euthanasia, which remains illegal in the UK, Natural Law considerations include the "slippery slope" argument—that permitting euthanasia might eventually lead to terminating lives of those unable to consent. Mill's perspective offers a contrasting view, arguing for bodily autonomy as long as no harm comes to others.
⚖️ Natural Law doesn't just provide black and white answers on complex ethical issues—it offers a framework for reasoning through difficult questions while keeping human purpose and divine design in view.
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Stefan S
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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
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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
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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
Understanding Aquinas' Natural Law - WJEC Ethics Theme 2
N
Nat Mitchell
@natmitchell_jzjv
Natural Law is a moral theory grounded in reason and divine purpose, developed by Thomas Aquinas. It provides a framework for understanding how humans can use their innate reasoning abilities to identify and fulfill their purpose according to God's eternal... Show more
Natural Law Foundations
Natural Law rests on the idea that humans possess reason as an innate ability to discern good from evil. This reasoning ability, though fallible (unlike divine reasoning which is infallible), helps us identify our proper purpose and align with God's eternal law.
The framework has a hierarchical structure with Eternal Law at the top—representing God's wisdom and will governing the universe. Natural Law flows from this, representing the moral principles discoverable through human reason. Aquinas includes the Synderesis rule, the fundamental principle that reason directs us to pursue good and avoid evil.
Divine Law (found in scripture) complements Natural Law because human reasoning alone is imperfect. The ultimate purpose of following Natural Law is to achieve the Beatific Vision—restoring our relationship with God damaged by the Fall and gaining eternal life.
💡 Think of Natural Law as your moral compass that's built into your reasoning ability. Unlike human laws that change with governments, Natural Law reflects unchanging moral truths derived from God's eternal design.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
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Intention, Acts, and Virtues
In Natural Law, both interior acts (intention) and exterior acts (the actions themselves) matter. This deontological approach means actions are intrinsically good or bad regardless of consequences. Good intentions don't redeem inherently wrong actions—stealing for a friend in need remains morally wrong.
Aquinas distinguishes between real goods (actions aligned with reason that help reach our true purpose) and apparent goods (actions that seem good but misuse reason and don't fulfill our purpose). The principle of double effect explains how an action with unintended side effects can still be moral if the primary intention is good.
The Cardinal virtues serve as the hinges of a moral life: prudence (being sensible), courage (discipline facing adversity), temperance , and justice (fairness toward others). These work alongside the revealed virtues from St. Paul: faith (active choice of will), hope (desire for fellowship with God), and love (the greatest virtue that restores our fallen nature).
🔑 As Aquinas said, "What things that we love tell us what we are." Your character is shaped by what you consistently choose and value—your virtues reveal your true self.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Natural Law Applied: Abortion and Euthanasia
Natural Law's principle of the preservation of life directly impacts debates on abortion and euthanasia. While UK law allows abortion up to 24 weeks (and later in cases of severe disability), Catholic interpretation of Natural Law generally opposes abortion as contrary to the sanctity of life and the precept "thou shall not kill."
Catholic theologian Kainz acknowledged the complexity of abortion ethics, suggesting that while virtuous Christians might continue pregnancies even in difficult cases, considerations beyond preservation of life (such as rights to nurture) are also relevant. Biblical passages like Genesis 1:28 ("Be fruitful, multiply") and Psalm 139 inform Christian perspectives.
Regarding euthanasia, which remains illegal in the UK, Natural Law considerations include the "slippery slope" argument—that permitting euthanasia might eventually lead to terminating lives of those unable to consent. Mill's perspective offers a contrasting view, arguing for bodily autonomy as long as no harm comes to others.
⚖️ Natural Law doesn't just provide black and white answers on complex ethical issues—it offers a framework for reasoning through difficult questions while keeping human purpose and divine design in view.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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Most popular content: Natural Law Theory
Most popular content in Religious Studies
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Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
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