Aquinas' four levels of law

Natural Law is based on the view that the universe has a natural order that works to achieve an end or purpose (telos). This telos is determined by a supernatural power (God). Human beings also have a God-given purpose. Natural Law is about acting in a way which consistently moves us towards this  purpose. 

The ideals behind Natural Law can be traced back to philosophers such as Aristotle

• Aristotle thought that the teleological goal for man was to achieve eudaimonia (flourishing) through using reason to recognise how to behave morally - in this thinking we can see the classical development of Natural Law
• Aquinas used many of Aristotle's terms in Natural Law theory, for example, he supported Aristotle's idea of there being 'efficient' and 'final' causes
• Aquinas  agreed with Aristotle that rationality was a key element of human existence and…