Deck 8: Natural Law

Question 1

Talk about:
-Doctrine of Double Effect

Answer 1

the principle that says that if your goal is worthwhile, you are sometimes permitted to act in ways that foreseeably cause certain types of harm, though you must never intend to cause such harms.

Question 2

Talk about:
-Fitness

Answer 2

a being's success at survival and reproduction.

Question 3

Talk about:
-Innate

Answer 3

traits that we have from birth.

Question 4

Talk about:
-Moral agents

Question 5

Talk about:
-Natural law theory

Question 6

According to natural law theory, discovering the essence of human nature is a

A) conceptual exercise.
B) scientific enterprise.
C) religious enterprise.
D) Both a and b

Question 7

What is the difference between the Efficiency Model and the Fitness Model of natural purposes? Does either model provide a plausible basis for natural law theory? Why or why not?

Question 8

Explain the Natural Law Argument. What are some possible interpretations of the first premise, and why is each problematic? Do you think that there is any way to modify premise one to avoid these concerns? What general lessons about natural law theory do you think that we can draw from these considerations?

Question 9

Explain the three conceptions of human nature discussed in the text. Which of these conceptions, if any, do you think is the correct one? What implications does this conception of human nature have for the plausibility of natural law theory? Defend your answers.

Question 10

What is the doctrine of double effect? Describe a case in which the doctrine could be used as a source of moral guidance. Do you think the doctrine of double effect gives good advice in this case? What about in general?

Question 11

In Aquinas's view, what is a law?

A) A piece of legislation
B) A regularity in nature
C) A dictate of practical reason
D) All of the above

Question 12

What is the function of the natural law?

A) To discern what is good and what is evil
B) To preserve economic order
C) To hold the universe together
D) To satisfy our desires

Question 13

According to Aquinas, the notion of _______ is the first thing that falls under the apprehension of the practical reason.

A) being
B) good
C) desire
D) God

Question 14

According to Aquinas, what is the first precept of law?

A) Good is to be done and pursued and evil is to be avoided.
B) Desires are to be fulfilled and pain is to be avoided.
C) God is to be praised and Satan is to be condemned.
D) Act according to the precepts of the state and never against.

Question 15

Aquinas maintains that the first principle of practical reason is

A) "the divine law has the character of eternal law."
B) "the same thing cannot be affirmed and denied at the same time."
C) "good is that which all things seek after."
D) "seek out that which you desire."

Question 16

According to Aquinas, good has the nature of _______ and evil has the nature of _______.

A) an end; a contrary
B) God; Satan
C) being; nonbeing
D) pleasure; pain

Question 17

Aquinas maintains that everyone has a natural inclination to

A) satisfy one's own desires.
B) promote pleasure and reduce pain.
C) act according to reason.
D) All of the above

Question 18

What does Aquinas say is the proper form of man?

A) The rational soul
B) Happiness
C) The wicked mind
D) Laziness

Question 19

In Aquinas's view, which aspects of the natural law are unchangeable?

A) First principles
B) Secondary principles
C) Both first and secondary principles
D) None of the above

Question 20

According to Aquinas, sinful actions result from

A) reason's failure to apply the general principle of the natural law to a particular case.
B) rejection of secondary principles by evil persuasion, vicious custom, or corrupt habit.
C) Both a and b
D) Neither a nor b (Aquinas thinks that sin is impossible.)

Question 21

Aquinas claims that "all those things to which man has a natural inclination are naturally apprehended by reason as being good." What does he mean by this? Come up with and discuss a possible counterexample to this claim. Ultimately, do you agree with Aquinas? Why or why not?

Question 22

What does Aquinas mean by "law?" Explain his conception of eternal law. Then, summarize one of the objections to the existence of eternal law and explain Aquinas's response. Do you find his response satisfying? Why or why not?

Question 23

Explain the objection that not all virtues are prescribed by the natural law. How does Aquinas respond to this objection? Is his response successful? Defend your answer.

Question 24

Case Study
Allison is a 12-year-old girl. She is popular at her school and highly socially savvy for her age. She has a keen sense of the power dynamics around her and is constantly maneuvering herself socially to secure a high place in the social hierarchy at her middle school. Unfortunately, Allison has found it most effective to maintain her social standing by bullying other girls at her school. She spreads gossip, excludes girls she does not deem cool enough to hang out with her, and demands that her small circle of friends do the same if they don't wish to be treated similarly.
Allison was raised by kind, considerate, attentive parents. Her parents are devastated to learn about Allison's bullying behavior. They seek out a developmental psychologist who assures them that Allison's behavior is natural and normal. Many girls at this age engage in similar socially exclusive behavior in as a natural part of growing up and discovering who they are and how the world works.
-If the developmental psychologist is right that Allison's bullying behavior is natural, should that make Allison's parents less worried about their daughter's moral character?

Question 25

Case Study
Allison is a 12-year-old girl. She is popular at her school and highly socially savvy for her age. She has a keen sense of the power dynamics around her and is constantly maneuvering herself socially to secure a high place in the social hierarchy at her middle school. Unfortunately, Allison has found it most effective to maintain her social standing by bullying other girls at her school. She spreads gossip, excludes girls she does not deem cool enough to hang out with her, and demands that her small circle of friends do the same if they don't wish to be treated similarly.
Allison was raised by kind, considerate, attentive parents. Her parents are devastated to learn about Allison's bullying behavior. They seek out a developmental psychologist who assures them that Allison's behavior is natural and normal. Many girls at this age engage in similar socially exclusive behavior in as a natural part of growing up and discovering who they are and how the world works.
-Should Allison's parents intervene to encourage kinder behavior toward her classmates, or should they stay out of it because her behavior is natural?