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Natural Moral Law: Summary

Natural Moral Law includes ethical theories that state there is a natural order to our world that should be followed. This natural order is determined by some supernatural power. Natural Law originated in the philosophy of the ancient Greeks, especially that of Aristotle, and was later developed by Thomas Aquinas. It is an absolute theory of ethics but it is not rooted in duty, or in an externally imposed law, but in our human nature and our search for genuine happiness and fulfilment. Aquinas proposed that by using our reason to reflect on our human nature, we could discover our specific purpose and having discovered this, we could subsequently work out how to achieve it. This understanding of God’s plan for humans that was built into our nature at creation, Aquinas called Natural Moral Law.

Natural Moral Law doesn’t involve ‘doing what comes naturally’ - it is not about what nature does in the sense of being observed in nature. Natural Moral Law is based on nature interpreted by human reason. Natural Moral Law is not exactly a law in the sense that it does not give you a fixed law and as a result it is not always straightforward as there is some flexibility in its application.

The thinking of Aristotle greatly influenced Aquinas. In particular, his view that all things have a purpose to which they work. That purpose can be understood through an examination of the natural world and through the Bible, which reveals the purpose for which God created us. These things can be observed as regular events or as rules which simply govern the way things are. In this world humans are free but they are not lawless, because they live within an ordered universe and the rules for human conduct are laid down within human nature itself.

Aquinas maintained that the universe was created by God so that everything has a design and a purpose. This could be understood through an examination of the natural world and a study of the bible. Humanity was given reason and freedom to choose to follow the good, which fulfils God’s purpose for them. Consequently he called this Natural Moral Law: the rational understanding and following of God’s ultimate purpose.

Natural Moral Law is available to all, since everyone with some reasoning capacity can see that the universe works, according to certain patterns and rules that do not change. All human beings can perceive the natural moral law, but only believers in God acknowledge that it has implications for them beyond this life.

Natural Moral Law draws its inspiration from the Bible as well as from the common reason of mankind. Paul, in Romans 1-3 argues that the moral law of God is evident from the nature of man and the world: ‘Ever since the creation of the world, his invisible nature, namely, his eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made’

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(Romans 1:20). Paul maintains that since natural moral law is so clearly evident in the universe, those who are sinful have no excuse for wrongdoing.

Deontology: Summary

Deontology is based on the view that there are certain actions that are right or wrong in themselves and do not consider the consequences of an action. Deontology therefore identifies actions that are wrong even if they produce predicted or actual good consequences and are right simply because of the kind of actions that they are.

Deontology takes several forms, for example Divine command ethics where an action is morally right if it is in agreement with the rules and duties established by God. Duty entails an action that is morally right if it coheres with a set of agreed duties and obligations.

A deontologist would believe that we are not permitted to break a rule even if serious harm could potentially occur otherwise. Nothing is more important than the preservation of our own virtue. For instance, a deontologist cannot lie even if the lie would prevent the loss of innocent lives. Therefore it is often associated with moral absolutism (frequently religious morality) i.e. the belief that moral standards are embedded and unchanging regardless of culture or society’s beliefs.

A deontologist is not required to consider the consequences of an act; they can say in advance whether it is right or wrong. In order for us to agree that an action is inherently right or wrong however, it would have to derive from an unquestionable source of authority like God and there is no agreement as to what constitutes such a source.

True morality suggests going beyond the law. Jesus criticised the Pharisees for their obedience to deontological obligations whilst they failed to recognise what may be greater moral obligations: ‘Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practised the latter without leaving the former undone’ (Luke 11:42).