Aristotle vs Aquinas: Natural Law and Moral Theory Quiz

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Questions and Answers

According to natural law moral theory, what is the master principle of natural law, as stated by Aquinas?

The ends justify the means

Human nature is fundamentally good

Morality is subjective and varies among individuals

Good is to be done and pursued, evil avoided (correct)

Which of the following is considered unnatural according to the principles of Natural Law?

Active euthanasia (correct)

Marriage and family

Self-preservation

Desire to know God

What does the Principle of Stewardship entail?

Rejection of moral absolutes

Responsibility over natural resources (correct)

Right to alter human nature

Promotion of self-interest above all else

In the context of natural law, what is the Principle of Double Effect concerned with?

Allowing for morally good outcomes even if bad effects may result Signup and view all the answers

What role does reason play in the application of Natural Law principles according to Aquinas?

It reveals particular natural laws good for humans Signup and view all the answers

How does Aquinas define the relationship between good and evil in the context of natural law?

'Good is to be done and pursued, and evil avoided' Signup and view all the answers

According to Aristotle, which of the following is NOT one of the accidents?

Power Signup and view all the answers

In St. Thomas's view, why does the soul die with the body?

As a natural consequence Signup and view all the answers

What is the ultimate goal of a human's choice through Virtue, according to the text?

Inheriting eternal life Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the Five Ways of Demonstrating God’s Existence mentioned in the text?

Argument from Motion Signup and view all the answers

According to St. Thomas, what is naturally apprehended by reason?

Good Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT classified as one of the inclinations by St. Thomas among others?

Revenge Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the soul and body according to Plato?

The soul and body have virtual contact like a sailor in a boat. Signup and view all the answers

According to Aristotle, what is the soul considered to be?

The principle of animal life. Signup and view all the answers

Which philosopher believed that human knowledge is innate?

Plato Signup and view all the answers

What concept does Aristotle introduce to explain being as composed of matter and form?

Hylomorphism Signup and view all the answers

What did St. Thomas Aquinas attribute as the reason behind the union of soul and body?

Virtual contact like a sailor in a boat. Signup and view all the answers

In Aristotle's view, what does the soul represent in a human being?

'The principle of animal life.' Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Natural Law

According to natural law moral theory, moral standards are objectively derived from human nature and the world.
The master principle of natural law is that "good is to be done and pursued and evil avoided."
Reason reveals particular natural laws that are good for humans, such as self-preservation, marriage and family, and the desire to know God.
Anything unnatural is wrong, including abortion, contraception, premarital and extramarital sex, active and passive euthanasia, mutilation, suicide, and homosexual acts.

Principles of Natural Law

Principle of Stewardship
Principle of Inviolability of Life
Principle of Forfeiture
Principle of Double Effects
The Principle of Double Effects has four conditions:
- The act itself must be morally good or at least indifferent.
- The agent may not positively will the bad effect but may permit it.
- If the agent could attain the good effect without the bad effect, he should do so.

St. Thomas Aquinas

A Dominican friar, theologian, and philosopher who instigated the marriage of Faith and Reason (Fides et Ratio).
Wrote Summa Theologiae/Theologica and Summa Contra Gentiles.
Asked questions about God, human, heaven, hell, purgatory, Jesus, angels, and Mary.

Human Nature

According to Aqueran (1966), human nature is objectively derived from the nature of human beings and the world.
Plato believed that human is primarily a soul, which is immortal and uncreated, and that knowledge is innate.
Aristotle believed that human being is a substantial union of body (matter) and soul (form), and that the soul dies with the body.
St. Thomas agrees with Aristotle, but with God's Grace, a human being can inherit eternal life through virtue.

The Four Ultimate Causes

Material Cause
Formal Cause
Efficient Cause (where the being comes from?)
Final Cause

The Five Ways of Demonstrating God's Existence

First way: The Argument of the Unmoved Mover
Second way: The Argument of the First Cause
Third way: The Argument from Time and Contingency
Fourth way: The Argument from Degree of existence
Fifth way: Argument from Design (Final Cause or Ends)

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Description

Explore the concept of Natural Law and moral theory as discussed in ST: First Part of the Second Part. Delve into how moral standards governing human behavior are derived from the nature of human beings. Reflect on the idea of acting according to reason and the universality of Natural Law principles.

ST: First Part of the Second Part - Natural Law and Moral Theory

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