Natural Law by Thomas Aquinas: An Examination: (Essay.

What is Natural Law? Natural Law is a Theory that says that there is an existence of a law that is set by nature and applies everywhere because it is ingrained within our beings and can be discovered through the human ability to reason.

His theory sets the terms of debate for subsequent natural law theorizing. The fundamentals of Aquinas’s natural law doctrine are contained in the so-called Treatise on Law in Thomas’s masterwork, the Summa Theologiae, comprising Questions 90 to 108 in the first part of the second part of the three-part Summa.

Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) is a very influential figure in western culture in terms of his contribution to Natural Law theory. Furthermore, Saint Aquinas combined the art of Greek philosophy with biblical scriptures to establish a doctrine for the Catholic Church.

Natural law is humans with a natural sense and the discovery of reason. Human law is some sort of man-made law with the natural law supplied by the government to the societies, and divine law is the specially revealed law in the scriptures. The main aspect of Natural Law theory is that it relies heavily on reason. It can be discovered by anyone, regardless of any religious alignment.

The Law has precepts that if followed correctly will allow humans to achieve perfection. Aquinas Natural Law is based on the conviction that of created the world, establishing order and purpose that reflects his (God) WILL. Human's reason is to achieve ultimate happiness, therefore anyone can discover Natural Law by reason whether religious or not.

Natural Law Another ethical theory dating from the time of the ancient Greeks and Romans is called natural law. This is the theory that serves as the foundation of our Declaration of Independence and the very idea of human rights in general.

Aristotle was the first practitioner to contribute to the creation of Natural Law as inspired by his mentor Plato he developed the relationship between Natural and conventional justice and outlined the use of Natural inclinations in Natural law. In this essay I will outline Aristotle’s contribution to Natural law.

Natural Law is an absolutist theory most commonly associated with St Thomas Aquinas (1224 -1274). It relies on Aquinas' basic understanding that humans innately try to do good and to avoid evil in order to find fulfilment and happiness in life ( Synderesis Rule ). Following on from the Synderesis Rule, Natural Law is based on five primary precepts.

Natural Law and Thomas Aquinas QUESTION: Natural Law and Thomas Aquinas ANSWER: Thomas Aquinas (1225—1274) returns to the view that natural law is an independent reality within a system of human reason approaching (but never fully comprehending) God’s eternal law (and thus needing supplementation by God’s divine law).

Aquinas’ theory of natural law is a meta ethical theory that primarily occupies a teleological ethical perspective. Aquinas comes from a posteriori background and thus believes that reason along side careful reflection on the world is what leads us to have an understanding on moral rightness.

Aquinas On Law Read Saint Thomas Aquinas, On Law, Morality and Politics (Hackett), xiii-xxii and 11-83. See xx-xxi for the part, question, article structure of the Summa and the Objections, Sed Contra, Respondeo, and Responses-to-Objections structure of the articles.

This paper will outline and defend against the criticisms of natural law in regards that natural law does not provide protection, it is very difficult to perceive, and becomes more an more obsolete through time, with the support of various philosophers and theorist throughout history.