Evaluate the merits of Natural Moral Law to moral decision making
Evaluate the merits of Natural Moral Law to moral decision making.
As an ethical theory, natural law has a number of strengths; it allows Christians today, using their human reason to guide them, live as God intends them to live. However it can be argued that is has a number of weaknesses also, for example its religious underpinning. Taking a natural law approach to moral decision making can be seen as beneficial as it is a simplistic and universal guide to morality. As human reason forms the basis to this moral approach, it can be argued that natural moral law can be used by all people, even those who are not Christian. Thompson supports this idea when he comments; ‘Since natural law is based in reason, it is in principle discoverable by anyone…For the same reason, it is universal rather than limited to one religion or culture.’ This allows natural law to be applied to moral decisions that affect people all over the world including atheists such as contraception and abortion. Due to the fact natural law is an absolute theory; it provides Christians with the knowledge and certainty of rules which can never be broken. In times of uncertainty in Christian’s lives, especially when there is no biblical scripture to help, natural law can provide clear guidelines or a solid set of rules which must always be followed For example in the case of abortion, natural law states that it is wrong unless an indirect therapeutic abortion. This ensures people are on the right path when making moral decisions and stops anyone taking any immoral actions. Despite these strengths, natural moral law also has weakness when making moral decisions. While the Roman Catholic Church still accepts the natural law approach to morals many other Christian denominations today follow Luther’s teachings and argue Aquinus’ theory is too legalistic and does not give enough flexibility addressing major problems and individual cases. For example the killing of animals for food; if the
As an ethical theory, natural law has a number of strengths; it allows Christians today, using their human reason to guide them, live as God intends them to live. However it can be argued that is has a number of weaknesses also, for example its religious underpinning. Taking a natural law approach to moral decision making can be seen as beneficial as it is a simplistic and universal guide to morality. As human reason forms the basis to this moral approach, it can be argued that natural moral law can be used by all people, even those who are not Christian. Thompson supports this idea when he comments; ‘Since natural law is based in reason, it is in principle discoverable by anyone…For the same reason, it is universal rather than limited to one religion or culture.’ This allows natural law to be applied to moral decisions that affect people all over the world including atheists such as contraception and abortion. Due to the fact natural law is an absolute theory; it provides Christians with the knowledge and certainty of rules which can never be broken. In times of uncertainty in Christian’s lives, especially when there is no biblical scripture to help, natural law can provide clear guidelines or a solid set of rules which must always be followed For example in the case of abortion, natural law states that it is wrong unless an indirect therapeutic abortion. This ensures people are on the right path when making moral decisions and stops anyone taking any immoral actions. Despite these strengths, natural moral law also has weakness when making moral decisions. While the Roman Catholic Church still accepts the natural law approach to morals many other Christian denominations today follow Luther’s teachings and argue Aquinus’ theory is too legalistic and does not give enough flexibility addressing major problems and individual cases. For example the killing of animals for food; if the