natural law. is there anything that is steady and secure? answer: god’s order and eternal plan...
TRANSCRIPT
Is there anything that is steady and secure? Answer: God’s order and eternal plan with the
universe and man’s special place among the creatures; “a rational animal”.
Implications:There are some values given in creation: life,
procreation, knowledge and social relations.Man can through his reasons distinguish between
right and wrong
CaseCase
Case: Cambodia, Ruanda, Darfur, Zimbabwe, Kosovo…are some recent examples of countries that have been threatened by severe oppression and genocide. Is it morally right for neighbours to intervene in order to restore peace?
Morally relevant aspects: Oppression and poverty – obstacles to life and social relations The international order – based in a natural order; preservation
of peace The intention of the intervener? A possible reasoning: The choice is between intervention and letting the genocide
continue If there is a reasonable chance of a successful intervention
and the violence is proportional to the goal, and If the intention is to restore peace , Then, an intervention is morally legitimate.
Background: Natural law theoryBackground: Natural law theory
Sources: Aristotle “the Philosopher” and Augustine
Summa TheologicaTeleology: criteria of a right act is the goal (telos)
achieved, but what is the goal? Development of what is potential; the ends and
purposes that are essential to being human; life, procreation etc
Eudaimonism: happiness is the ultimate aim for human life
Theology: the ultimate aim of human life is knowledge of God
The theory of Natural law:The theory of Natural law:
The four laws: the eternal law; God’s creation and planthe natural law; human nature and
practical rationalitythe human law; moral and legal rules the revealed law
Criteria for a right action? Implications for moral decision-making?
Two methods to make moral decisions:To find out what is “natural” – according
to nature (ex prohibition of suicide)What is according to the common good?
(teleology)
Decision making procedureThe principle of double effectAct A has both good and bad effectsA is morally right if: 1) the good effects are intended, and2) the bad is not out of proportion to the
good effects
Principle of double effectPrinciple of double effect
A patient is in the last stage of his life because of cancer
He has severe painsThe doctor decides to give morphine to
relieve pain (intention)The patient dies (not intended but
possible effects)Is the act right?
Human dignityHuman dignity
GodAngels Soul
Man (“ensouled body”)
Animals animal soulPlants vegetative soulInanimate things Materia
Two points of departure for Evangelical Protestantism (ex Karl Barth):◦A different view of man : man is sinful –
negative anthropology◦Moral insights through revelation – not through
nature/reason
Is abortion of a foetus with genetic disease permitted?
Gods command: Thou should not kill!The foetus is a human lifeAbortion is killing a human lifeAbortion is not permitted