Cultural Perspectives: Natural Law & Christian Virtue (F2023) PDF

CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES (Part I): NATURAL LAW & CHRISTIAN VIRTUE THEORY ETHICS FOR SCIENCE PROGRAMS 345-BMA MICHEL JACQUES GAGNÉ 1. NATURAL LAW THEORY (a.k.a.: Theological Intellectualism) A. Christian/Thomistic Natu...

CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES (Part I): NATURAL LAW & CHRISTIAN VIRTUE THEORY ETHICS FOR SCIENCE PROGRAMS 345-BMA MICHEL JACQUES GAGNÉ 1. NATURAL LAW THEORY (a.k.a.: Theological Intellectualism) A. Christian/Thomistic Natural Law Theory : An ethical theory developed by St. Thomas Aquinas, according to which morality is determined in terms of the natural function (i.e.: the telos or “final cause”) of things in accordance with the intelligent design of nature by God. It is largely a Christianized Aristotelian theory of ethics. The Thomistic Natural Law Theory is the basic principle of most ethical doctrines held by the Roman Catholic Church since the late Middle Ages. B. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) “A law is nothing else but a dictate of practical reason emanating from the ruler who governs a perfect community… The whole community of the universe is governed by divine reason.” - Thomas Aquinas: Summa Theologica C. Aquinas’ Five Proofs for the Existence of God 1. The argument from motion: Everything in nature changes (i.e.: chains of cause & effect). This process cannot go back infinitely. There must be a first cause of all motion. God is the “Unmoved Mover” of the cosmos. 2. The argument from efficient cause (aka: the cosmological argument): Everything in nature exists because of some previous cause. There cannot be an endless succession of causes of existence. God is the “First Cause” (or uncreated creator) of the cosmos. 3. The argument from contingency: Everything that comes into existence is contingent upon (i.e.: necessarily depends on) the existence of some other thing. Things do not and cannot emerge out of nothing. God is “the necessary being” that makes existence possible. 4. The argument from gradation: Everything in nature can be compared to its “maximum” or ideal self. The concept of perfection derives from the existence of a maximum or perfect thing: a “greatest being”. God is the supreme model or source of perfection. 5. The teleological argument : (aka: the argument from design) Everything in nature (even an unthinking plant) seeks to be as good, true, noble or healthy as it can. This must be the work of some intelligent designer. God is the intelligent mind guiding the forces of nature. Having thus argued that rational proof exists for an intelligent and perfect Supreme Being, Aquinas went on to argue that the will of God can also be studied by combining reason (deriving general laws using logic) and the study of nature (God’s ordered creation). That is, the purpose of things (including human behaviour) can be rationally known… D. Christian Teleology: TELEOLOGY: A doctrine explaining various processes as guided by a natural end or purpose. (see notes on Aristotle)  Christian Teleology looks to a divine creator and law giver (i.e.: the God of the Bible) as the source of all natural order and purpose. The physical universe is a rationally- designed system endowed with regulatory mechanisms (e.g., natural laws of motion to govern objects, natural instincts to help animals procreate and survive, and the in-born faculty of reason to guide humans towards their noble spiritual end). The purpose of human existence is to find well-being (i.e., flourishing or eudaimonia) through a healthy relationship with God and his creation, and ultimately, to live in eternal communion with the Creator.  Aquinas’ Teleological Approach to Ethics TYPE OF CAUSE EXAMPLE 1: EXAMPLE 2: THE STATE SEX 1. The Material Cause Q: What is it made of? Citizens Male and Female organisms (i.e.: its substance) 2. The Formal Cause Q: What is it? A community of individuals living An exchange of affection (i.e.: its definition or together in harmony appearance) 3. The Efficient Cause Q: Who/What shaped it? Government & Civil Law Pleasure, Desire (i.e.: the agent acting upon it) 4. The Final Cause Q: What is it for? Happiness / Well-Being Procreation (i.e.: its natural purpose)** (Physical and Spiritual) ** Hence, the state whose laws or government inhibits human well-being (e.g.: a ruthless tyranny), or a sexual act which inhibits procreation (e.g.: same-sex relations), is unnatural and therefore immoral. E. The Doctrine Of Double Effect (DDE) “Nothing hinders one act from having two effects, only one of which is intended, while the other is beside the intention. Now moral acts take their species according to what is intended, and not according to what is beside the intention, since this is accidental…” - Thomas Aquinas (Summa Theologica 2, II, LXIV, vii)  When an act will lead to both a good and a bad effect, it is permissible to perform that action only if the bad effect is unavoidable, unintended, and is outweighed by the good effect. e.g.: Premeditated murder vs. Killing in self-defence Pre-emptive attacks vs. Declaring war against a brutal invader Performing an abortion vs. Killing a foetus to save a pregnant mother’s life  Hence, The Natural Law Theory is not purely deontological. The DDE allows for a good intention to override certain rules when one is faced with a difficult dilemma. F. The Evolutionary Natural Law Theory An ethical theory according to which morality is determined in terms of the optimal balance observed in nature in accordance with the theory of natural selection.  The Evolutionary Natural Law Theory is an ethical doctrine that is growing in popularity among many secular environmentalists and critics of the food industry. i. David Suzuki (1936-? ) “We are deeply embedded in and utterly dependent on the natural world… In a world where everything is connected to everything else, any action has repercussions and so responsibilities accompany every deliberate act.” - David Suzuki: “Introduction” The David Suzuki Reader ii. Michael Pollan: (1955- ? ) “... One of the most troubling things about factory farms is how cavalierly they flout these evolutionary rules, forcing animals to overcome deeply ingrained aversions. We make them trade their instincts for antibiotics.” - Michael Pollen, The Omnivore’s Dilemma  2. CHRISTIAN VIRTUE THEORY Early Christianity was strongly influenced by Greek culture and thought (e.g.: Plato & Aristotle). In addition, the New Testament often emphasizes the importance of good character over mere obedience to religious rules. Example 1: From the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5: 14-16) “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. “ Example 2: From the Epistle of St-Paul to the Corinthians (I Cor. 13) “If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. […] Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.”  Like classical Greek virtue theory, Christianity teaches the imitation of a moral exemplar (i.e., Jesus Christ) and the duty to be a certain kind of person (humble, meek, merciful, faithful, loving, peaceful, etc.) rather than strict obedience to specific rules. A. THREE VERSIONS of CHRISTIAN VIRTUE THEORY i. Simone Weil (1909-1943) The life of self-negation / The virtue of humility ii. G.K. Chesterton (1874-1936) The life of child-like amazement / The virtue of gratitude iii. Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) The Religious Leap of Faith / The virtue of Trust in God S. Kierkegaard’s three stages/spheres) of existence: 1. AESTHETIC STAGE (Self-interest) 2. ETHICAL STAGE (Universal principles) 3. RELIGIOUS STAGE (Divine guidance) For Kierkegaard, authentic morality is found in The understanding of who and what one is In relation to an unchanging external truth (God), And the passionate commitment to live in that Truth. (e.g., to live every day as if on a personal and untransferable mission from God).