A) John Finnis' development of Natural law

John Finnis' book: 'Natural law and natural rights'
Finnis accepts the idea that there is a natural justice that is applicable to all humanity
However, unlike Aquinas who believed natural law re-establishes a right relationship with God, Finnis believed the purpose of natural law is to ensure a person is able to live a worthwhile life and 'flourish'
Finnis begins by rejecting Aquinas's primary precepts. Instead, he argues that humans need 7 basic, self-evident, universal goods which apply equally to everyone at all times
These basic goods are pre-moral: exist (objectively) before decisions are made
Finnis believes the 'basic goods' are evident from practical, not theoretical reasoning
Theoretical reasoning: describes what is true
Practical reasoning: describes how to act
'Basic goods' are self-evident truths (not derived from God's law or logic); they just obviously exist
Finnis calls them 'basic goods' because they are self-evident basic needs of all human beings
The 7 basic goods:
1. Life- bodily health, procreation
2. Knowledge- being well-informed
3. Friendship- being sociable, acting in the interest of one's friends
4. Play- recreation, enjoyment, fun
…

Get Revising