January 2001 Explain the theory of Natural law (25 marks) The theory of natural law originates from Aristotle’s idea of goodness as fitness for purpose and stoic’s concept of a universal law of reason which is in agreement with nature. What we now call human nature. This point is then furthered by Aquinas who agrees with the argument but furthers it by linking it with his Christian belief by saying following this law is equivalent to following the command of God as human nature is in us inbuilt
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Natural Law Theory The natural law theory is a theory that dates back to the time of the Greeks and great thinkers like Plato and Aristotle. Defined as the law which states that human are inborn with certain laws preordained into them which let them determine what is right and what is wrong.(Bainton 174) This theory was them adapted by religious philosophers to fit the Christian religion.(Berkhof 114) This‚ however was not exactly the same as the original. The classical thinkers were the
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Classical and Modern Natural Law Theory Introduction Natural law theory is not a single theory of law‚ but the application of ethical or political theories to the questions of how legal orders can acquire‚ or have legitimacy‚ and is often presented as a history of such ethical and political ideas. These theories would explained the nature of morality‚ thus making natural law theory a general moral theory. The basic idea was that man could come to understand‚ either by his own reasoning or
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amount of freedom and power we allow to those experimenting and developing genetic engineering‚ and how it used‚ will hugely affect our generation‚ and those following. Natural Law is an absolute‚ Christian theory‚ and can be applied to this situation‚ so that followers of this theory know how to respond. The origins of Natural Law are found with the Stoics‚ and Aristotle‚ before being further developed by Cicero‚ and then finalised by St. Thomas Aquinas in the 13th Century. It aims allow for flourishing
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Explain Finnis’ Natural Law Theory (30 marks) John Finnis‚ an Australian legal philosopher has tried to resurrect the natural law tradition in moral philosophy and law since the mid-1960s. He tries to offer a "neo-Aquinian" natural law philosophy which does not presuppose a divine being. By focusing attention on goods rather than a single Good‚ Finnis skilfully articulates what he calls a theory of moral action for our day. Or‚ in other words‚ he seeks a theory of how to live well. Finnis identifies
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“Aquinas and Hobbes Views On “Natural Law” November 5/08 Snezana Miletic 20217149 PHIL 221 Paul Simard Smith Assignment # 2 (with extension) The theory of “Natural Law” first originated in Ancient Greece. Many philosophers discussed their own views on natural law‚ as it played an important part in Greek government. Some of these philosophers included St. Thomas Aquinas and Thomas Hobbes. For Aquinas‚ natural law exists in the individual’s conscience‚ opposing to Hobbes belief that
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Explain what is meant by Natural Law approach to ethics? Natural Law is an ethical theory which states that there are unchanging laws set in the nature of the world‚ to tell humans what is moral and immoral. These laws are set by a supernatural power which is God. Natural Law is a Deontological theory which looks at the action to be moral despite the consequences it brings. The theory of Natural Law has been around for centuries and has had many key figures that have made key contributions to the
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of the Natural Law Theory. Natural Law is a deontological theory of ethics. According to Thomas Aquinas it is absolutist and depends on the idea that God created everything with a purpose and supreme good is found when that purpose is fulfilled. For Aristotle‚ who heavily influenced Aquinas’ ideas‚ he believed that supreme good for humans is happiness. Thomas Aquinas agreed with Aristotle‚ but saw a human’s supreme purpose to be perfection. The fundamental principles of Natural Law are the
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Natural Law VS. Positive Law Laws are rules established by a governing authority to organize and maintain orderly existence. It can generally be divided into two principles: Natural law‚ which is based on the divine‚ and Positive law which states that laws are what the lawmakers command. Throughout history many philosophers have come to be linked to either branch of law. Philosophers such as Aristotle advocated Natural law‚ while others‚ such as Thomas Hobbes‚ supported Positive law. Each
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Natural Laws of Development Growth and development through self-activity is Nature’s greastest miracle. Man creates himself according to the laws of growth and development. It is only a cycle in which both adults and children take their places. The child is the constructor and maker of the adult man. The child is the father of the man. In the pre-natal period the child has established all the vital organs which after birth are developed enough for survival. In a parallel manner the foundations
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