Ethics Theme 2 - WJEC

This section covers one of the most important ethical theories you'll study in your A-levels. Natural Law Theory forms the backbone of Christian ethics and provides clear guidelines for moral decision-making.

You'll explore how ancient philosophical thinking connects to modern moral dilemmas. The theory bridges the gap between religious belief and rational thinking, making it relevant whether you're religious or not.

Key Point: Natural Law Theory isn't just about following rules - it's about understanding the purpose behind moral actions and how they help us flourish as human beings.

Natural Law - Aquinas

Aquinas believed that rational thought alone isn't enough for moral decisions because human reason is fallible - we need God's perfect guidance. The theory requires belief in a divine creator to work properly.

The Synderesis Rule - "do good and avoid evil" - sits at the heart of everything. From this come five primary precepts: preservation of life, ordered society, worship of God, education, and reproduction. These aren't random rules but reflect what humans naturally need to flourish.

Aquinas outlined four levels of law working together. Eternal law represents God's perfect wisdom, divine law comes through scripture, natural law is what humans can work out through reason, and human law covers government systems.

Remember: The beatific vision is the ultimate goal - restoring our relationship with God to gain eternal life, which was damaged by Adam and Eve's fall.

Natural Law - Aquinas (Continued)

Understanding virtues is crucial for applying Natural Law properly. The four cardinal virtues (temperance, justice, prudence, courage) help guide behaviour, whilst the three revealed virtues (faith, hope, love) restore our fallen nature.

Aquinas distinguished between real goods (using reason properly to reach our purpose) and apparent goods (misusing reason, like having sex purely for pleasure rather than procreation). This isn't necessarily sinful, just missing the point.

The theory recognises that intentions matter alongside actions. Interior acts (your intentions) and exterior acts (what you actually do) can conflict - stealing to help the poor might have good intentions but remains wrong externally.

Exam Tip: For AO2 evaluation, remember the key strengths (clear guidance for believers, recognises human fallibility) and weaknesses (inflexible, only works for Christians, naturalistic fallacy).

Application to Abortion and Euthanasia

When applying Natural Law to abortion, the primary precept of preservation of life takes centre stage. However, Catholic theologian Kainz argues other factors matter too, like the right to procreate and nurture offspring properly.

Abortion (termination of a foetus) has been legal in the UK since 1967, but most Christians oppose it as violating "thou shall not kill." Some might allow exceptions for rape or incest, though traditional approaches emphasise keeping the pregnancy and using virtues.

Euthanasia (aiding someone in dying) raises complex questions about the 'slippery slope' - could vulnerable people be pressured into it? The theory asks fundamental questions: what makes someone human, and can bodily autonomy override sanctity of life?

Think About It: Mill's argument for individual autonomy conflicts with Natural Law's emphasis on absolute moral rules - this tension appears in many exam questions.

Finnis Development

Finnis modernised Natural Law with seven basic human goods that don't need proving - they're self-evidently valuable. These include life, knowledge, friendship, play, aesthetic appreciation, practical reasonableness, and religion (broadly understood, not specific denominations).

His nine requirements of practical reason guide decision-making without creating rigid hierarchies. You should view life holistically, avoid arbitrary preferences, apply goods equally to everyone, and never deliberately harm a basic good.

The distinction between theoretical reason (understanding facts) and practical reason (working out right and wrong) is crucial. Practical reason deals with ethical obligations that theoretical reasoning simply can't handle.

Key Insight: Unlike traditional Natural Law, Finnis allows flexibility - there's no single correct action in every situation, just requirements for reasonable decision-making.

Hoose Proportionalism

Hoose created a hybrid approach combining Natural Law's structure with flexible application. His proportionalism maxim states: "Never go against a principle unless there's a proportional reason to justify it."

He distinguished between good acts (following moral rules) and right acts (contextually appropriate). This allows for pre-moral evil - acts that seem bad but aren't necessarily immoral, like theft to feed a starving family.

The theory recognises three types of evil: moral evil (outright immoral acts like murder), pre-moral evil (contextually bad but potentially justified), and ontic evil (natural suffering like cancer from the fall).

Exam Focus: This approach works for both atheists and theists, making it more universal than traditional Natural Law, but critics argue it leads to moral relativism.