Sarah Mitchell
Natural law is a concept in Catholic theology that holds that God's eternal law is inherent in the natural world, discoverable by humans through their capacity for reason, and binding upon them. It is the belief that God's eternal law is reflected in the natural world, and that humans can understand and follow this law through their innate reason and conscience. This law is believed to be universal and immutable, providing a framework for evaluating the morality of human laws and actions. While interpretations of natural law vary, it is generally understood as a moral guide that directs humans towards good actions and away from evil ones, with the ultimate goal of attaining salvation and true happiness.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Basis | The natural law is the rational creature's participation in the eternal law. |
| Purpose | Natural law gives us a secular framework to evaluate the morality of positive law. |
| Universal applicability | The natural law is universal and applies to the entire human race. |
| Binding force | Natural law is binding on all men and imposes common principles. |
| Interpretation | Natural law is interpreted by using reason to discern good from evil. |
| Action | Natural law guides human action by providing a framework of good and evil. |
| Judgement | Actions are judged by a person's intent, circumstances, and nature of the act. |
| Salvation | Living by the natural law leads to salvation. |
| Happiness | The state's purpose is to bring its subjects to true happiness, which comes from living in harmony with God. |
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What You'll Learn
Natural law is a secular framework for evaluating morality
Natural law is a framework for evaluating the morality of positive law (i.e., legislation and court rulings created by human governing institutions). It is based on the idea that there is a universal and supreme principle from which all our natural moral obligations and duties are derived. According to St. Thomas Aquinas, natural law is the rational creature's participation in the eternal law, which is God's wisdom and the directive norm of all movement and action. In other words, what is natural is what God intends.
While natural law is often associated with religion, particularly Catholicism, it can also be understood as a secular framework for evaluating morality. This is because natural law is based on the idea that humans have a natural sense of morality, or conscience, that allows us to discern between good and evil. This sense of morality is believed to be universal and immutable, applying to all humans regardless of their cultural or religious background.
One example of how natural law can be applied in a secular context is in the evaluation of civil rights movements. For example, during the civil rights movement in the United States, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. disobeyed Jim Crow laws while calling for the enforcement of the Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education. King justified these seemingly contradictory positions by appealing to the concept of natural law, arguing that there is a moral responsibility to obey just laws and disobey unjust laws. In this case, the Jim Crow laws were seen as unjust because they violated the natural law principle of equality and dignity for all people.
Another example of the secular application of natural law can be seen in the Nuremberg trials, where the courts judged the actions of the Nazis as "crimes against humanity," despite what German law permitted or ordered. The courts recognized a higher duty to obey natural law, which is based on the inherent dignity and equality of all people.
In a secular context, natural law can provide a framework for evaluating the morality of laws and actions based on universal principles of morality, such as equality, dignity, and the pursuit of the common good. It allows for a discussion of moral obligations and duties that exist independently of specific religious beliefs or cultural norms. However, it is important to note that the interpretation of natural law can vary depending on cultural, religious, and philosophical perspectives.
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It is written in the soul of each person
Natural law, in the Catholic tradition, is the belief that a moral code is inherent in the universe because it was put in place by God, and that this code can be understood through human reason. It is written in the soul of each person, and every individual is bound to follow it.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes it as:
> "The natural law is written and engraved in the soul of each and every man, because it is human reason ordaining him to do good and forbidding him to sin... But this command of human reason would not have the force of law if it were not the voice and interpreter of a higher reason to which our spirit and our freedom must be submitted."
The idea of natural law is that it is a universal code, applying to all of humanity, and that it is immutable and permanent. It is the rational creature's participation in the eternal law, which is God's wisdom. God's universe is an orderly, rational one, and humans are rational creatures, so we are able to rationally discern what we should and should not do.
The natural law is not a set of specific rules, but a framework in which to evaluate the morality of positive law (legislation and court rulings). Actions are judged by three things: the person's intent, the circumstances of the act, and the nature of the act.
The natural law is also important for interpersonal apologetics. It is often the case that, rather than imparting knowledge, we should draw it out of others, as people are generally better persuaded by the reasons they have discovered themselves.
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It is derived from God's eternal law
Natural law is derived from God's eternal law. This means that God's universe is an orderly, rational one, and humans, as rational creatures, are able to rationally discern what they should and should not do. This is reflected in St. Paul's letter to the Romans, where he describes how those who have not received the law yet "do by nature what the law requires".
The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes natural law as:
> "The natural law is written and engraved in the soul of each and every man, because it is human reason ordaining him to do good and forbidding him to sin...But this command of human reason would not have the force of law if it were not the voice and interpreter of a higher reason to which our spirit and our freedom must be submitted."
Natural law is universal and applies to all of humanity. It is a secular framework for evaluating the morality of 'positive law' (legislation and rulings created by human governing institutions). It is a way to understand civil society and the binding authority of laws.
The natural law is also a way to understand God's will. As God's creatures, what is natural is what God intends. Observations of creation can reveal aspects of God's will. However, as humans are limited and prone to sin, interpretation is necessary, and this is where scripture and the Bible come into play.
The natural law is derived from God's eternal law, and it is a rational creature's participation in this eternal law.
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It applies to the entire human race
Natural law is a concept in Catholic theology that applies to all of humanity. It is the belief that there is a universal and supreme moral code, given by God, that applies to all people and from which all our natural obligations and duties are derived. It is a secular framework for evaluating the morality of positive law (legislation and rulings created by human institutions).
The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes natural law as: "...the original moral sense which enables man to discern by reason the good and the evil, the truth and the lie: 'The natural law is written and engraved in the soul of each and every man, because it is human reason ordaining him to do good and forbidding him to sin...'"
The idea is that God's wisdom, or the eternal law, is reflected in the natural world and in human nature. St. Thomas Aquinas, a key figure in the development of this idea, described natural law as "man's rational participation in the eternal law". Aquinas taught that all human laws should be judged by their conformity to the natural law, and that an unjust law is not a law in the true sense of the word.
Natural law is a way of understanding civil society and the role of the state. It is also a guide for interpersonal relationships and evangelism. It applies to all people, regardless of their knowledge of the Ten Commandments or other religious teachings. For example, people who have never heard of the Ten Commandments innately know that murder is wrong.
The natural law is also seen as a guide to true happiness, which is derived from living in harmony with God's mind.
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It is a way to understand civil society and discern good and evil actions
Natural law is a concept in Catholic theology that provides a framework for understanding civil society and discerning good and evil actions. It is based on the belief that God's universe is orderly and rational, and humans, as rational creatures, can discern what is good and evil through their conscience and reason. This idea is reflected in St. Paul's letter to the Romans, where he observes that those who have not received the law can still inherently know what is right and wrong.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes natural law as "the original moral sense which enables man to discern by reason the good and the evil, the truth and the lie". It is seen as a universal principle from which all our natural moral obligations and duties are derived. According to St. Thomas Aquinas, natural law is "man's rational participation in the eternal law", which is God's wisdom directing all movement and action in the universe. Aquinas further elaborated that all human laws should be judged by their conformity to the natural law, and an unjust law is not a true law but a "perversion of law".
Natural law provides a secular framework for evaluating the morality of legislation and court rulings, often referred to as "positive law". It allows for a distinction between just and unjust laws, with just laws being in harmony with the moral law or the law of God, and unjust laws being out of harmony with it. This framework has been used in various legal and social contexts, such as the Nuremberg trials, where the actions of the Nazis were judged as "crimes against humanity" despite being legal under German law.
The understanding of natural law also has implications for civil disobedience. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., for example, drew on the concept of natural law to justify civil disobedience during the civil rights movement. He argued that one has a moral responsibility to obey just laws but also a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. This distinction between just and unjust laws, as outlined by King, aligns with the Catholic concept of natural law and its emphasis on discerning good and evil actions.
Natural law, as a concept, has evolved and diversified within Catholicism and beyond. While there are differing interpretations, the fundamental idea remains: that humans can discern what is morally right or wrong by referring to what is natural, which is ultimately understood as reflecting God's will and intention for creation.
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Frequently asked questions
Natural law, in a Catholic context, is a secular framework for evaluating the morality of positive law (legislation and rulings created by human governing institutions). It is a universal principle from which all our natural moral obligations and duties are derived.
Positive law refers to laws and rulings created by human governing institutions. For example, in the Nuremberg trials, the courts ruled that the Nazis' actions amounted to "crimes against humanity", despite what German law permitted.
Natural law is the rational creature's participation in the eternal law, or God's wisdom. God's universe is orderly and rational, and humans are rational creatures, so we are able to rationally discern what we should and shouldn't do.
