Natural Law
Q. Explain the theory of Natural Law
Natural Law is unchangeable principles that are the basis of human activity. These principles are universally applicable as they are an absolute truth. In order to explain the theory of Natural Law, we will look at all the different aspects such as Aristotle’s and Aquinas’s theory of Natural Law.
Natural Law was founded by the Ancient Greeks such as Aristotle and Aquinas. Aristotle first discovered Natural Law as he was anti-form and believed in potentiality and actuality. This led to Aristotle discovering that Natural Law is universal as many people would argue what is morally right or morally wrong. With different cultures, having to follow Natural Law, it meant that all cultures were equal and didn’t have to argue over what is right or what is wrong.
Aristotle believed that everyone in life had an end purpose and to fulfil that end purpose we had to live a life of happiness through rational reason. By doing this, Aristotle said that eudemonia came about. This was spiritual satisfaction of our body was we fulfilled the end purpose of our life. Here, Natural Law is promoting happiness to everyone and explaining that no one is different as we are all equal and follow the same rules. Aristotle’s approach was teleological as he believed that good is something that fulfils its end purpose. He also believed that nature detected the type of creature one would become.
Aquinas developed Aristotle’s ideas and agreed that Natural Law is universally applicable. He believed that God created the world ex nihilo and had imago Dei of us in his divine mind. Therefore, we all have a purpose in life to fulfil to God’s standard. The essence of us that God had in his divine mind links in with Natural Law as Aristotle said we had an end purpose to fulfil. Aquinas maintained that as nature is created by God, ex nihilo, it has an inhert design which reflects the will, purpose and goodness of the divine creator.
Aquinas also introduced the 5
Natural Law is unchangeable principles that are the basis of human activity. These principles are universally applicable as they are an absolute truth. In order to explain the theory of Natural Law, we will look at all the different aspects such as Aristotle’s and Aquinas’s theory of Natural Law.
Natural Law was founded by the Ancient Greeks such as Aristotle and Aquinas. Aristotle first discovered Natural Law as he was anti-form and believed in potentiality and actuality. This led to Aristotle discovering that Natural Law is universal as many people would argue what is morally right or morally wrong. With different cultures, having to follow Natural Law, it meant that all cultures were equal and didn’t have to argue over what is right or what is wrong.
Aristotle believed that everyone in life had an end purpose and to fulfil that end purpose we had to live a life of happiness through rational reason. By doing this, Aristotle said that eudemonia came about. This was spiritual satisfaction of our body was we fulfilled the end purpose of our life. Here, Natural Law is promoting happiness to everyone and explaining that no one is different as we are all equal and follow the same rules. Aristotle’s approach was teleological as he believed that good is something that fulfils its end purpose. He also believed that nature detected the type of creature one would become.
Aquinas developed Aristotle’s ideas and agreed that Natural Law is universally applicable. He believed that God created the world ex nihilo and had imago Dei of us in his divine mind. Therefore, we all have a purpose in life to fulfil to God’s standard. The essence of us that God had in his divine mind links in with Natural Law as Aristotle said we had an end purpose to fulfil. Aquinas maintained that as nature is created by God, ex nihilo, it has an inhert design which reflects the will, purpose and goodness of the divine creator.
Aquinas also introduced the 5