Strengths and weaknessess of Natural Law
- Created by: EmilyKnowles99
- Created on: 26-03-16 09:24
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- Strengths and weaknesses of Natural Law
- Strengths
- 1) Absolutist and deontological
- Clear instructions that are easy to follow without confusion or 'grey areas'
- This clear guidance allows a clear view of what is morally right and wrong, allowing uniformity in morality in communities.
- For example, the secondary precept 'do not abort' provides a straight answer for anyone seeking moral guidance
- 'It enables people to establish common rules in order to structure communities' - Robert Bowie
- Clear instructions that are easy to follow without confusion or 'grey areas'
- 2) Based on rationality
- As Aquinas' Natural Law is based on rationality, it is easily accessible to all people.
- It encourages the removal of human emotion and encourages the use of reason to determine what is right and wrong.
- Universally Applicable
- 'Feelings can change but the issue of right and wrong remains fixed' - Mel Thompson
- 3) Directs people to God and their purpose
- By following Natural Law, the person has clear guidance as to what their purpose is and how to reach it.
- Natural Law is based on God's divine will, not human law. For religious believers this makes Natural Law the perfect basis for morality, without dispute.
- 'Natural Law directs people to their final destiny'- Robert Bowie
- Through Natural Law, some religious believers can fulfil God's will and gain eternal life
- 1) Absolutist and deontological
- Weaknessess
- 1) Legalistic
- The legalistic approach of Natural Law fails to consider the situation and the consequences of each action in terms of the situation
- For example, abortion under the circumstances of **** is still wrong however the victim may not be capable to raise a child as it was not their choice.
- Therefore, if Natural Law is followed a rigidly as Aquinas wanted, bad consequences could occur.
- To add to this, the legalistic nature of Natural Law removes any self governance. As according to Aquinas, humans are obliged to follow rules, ********* them of any free choice.
- 2) Not all rational people agree with Natural Law
- For some people, the emotion of the person and those effected is the best way to determine morality, not reason
- Reason seems like a uncompassionate method
- For example, moral actions especially regarding children are sensitive issues that need to be approached with caution and compassion, not cold hearted reason.
- 3) Unappealing and nonsensical to non religious belivers
- As Natural law is based on God's law, a non believer will feel no need to follow Natural Law
- Natural Law states that our purpose is to gain a 'right relationship' with God, however this would seem utterly wrong, therefore they would have no desire to follow Natural Law
- If there is no religious destiny, Patrick J Clarke says NL 'ultimatley makes no sense'
- 1) Legalistic
- Strengths
- Deontological: Morality is based on a human's duty to abide by rules
- Legalistic: One must obey religious law to gain eternal life
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