Natural Law, Rationality and the Social Contract Essay

In terms of the American political system, the most significant of the theories of the origin of the state is that of the ‘Social Contract”. Philosophers such as Thomas Hobbes, James Harrington, and John Locke in england and Jean Jacques Rousseau in France developed this theory in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

Aquinas’ understanding of the roles of faith and reason can be likened to a house. Reason provides the foundation. This foundation draws heavily from the Greek philosophers. Without special revelation from God, Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle could not comprehend the fullness of wisdom only Christ provides. However, by observing general revelation, they reasoned their way to many universal truths such as the existence of a perfection outside of mankind–evidenced by Plato’s world of the forms–the benefits of the virtuous life–Socrates’ insistence that good men can never truly be harmed–and the distinction man holds from the animals–Aristotle’s recognition of the importance of logos. This use of reason compliments the teachings of Paul in Romans. He reminds the believers in Rome, “…since

Thomas Aquinas was a believer in the natural law that was above the human law that we create. Aquinas felt that all people essential desire goodness and the wisdom of God and that there was a natural law that should guide our decisions. Aquinas states “good is that which all things seek after. Hence this is the fires precept of law, that good is to be done and promoted, and evil will be avoided” (125). There are two types of law that Aquinas describes as natural law, and human law. Human laws being the laws that we make through legislation or in society in general and the human laws will be based on natural law and reasoning. Aquinas writes in Summa Theologica “to the natural law belong those things to which a man is inclined naturally; and among these it is proper to man to be

Thomas Aquinas was an Italian philosopher who lived during the time of 1225-1274 AD. Aquinas was most known for his studies in faith and reason. Aquinas’ ethics relies on the idea that there is a God and that God is a perfect and loving being who is cares for his creation. But, Aquinas does not believe that God has a set of commands that distinguishes right from wrong for each individual to follow. A way to explain these rules is by the Divine Command Theory. To further explain, these rules are better defined as the moral status of an action determined by the will or commands of God. It seems that God created the distinction of right from wrong in order to aid human beings to act in a way that is morally correct according to his commands so that they could achieve perfect happiness. Aquinas’ tells us that perfect happiness is a perfect relationship with God. The Divine Command Theory is completely independent of whether or not anyone believes it and is applicable to anyone at any time. God has also wired all human beings in a certain way in which we have the ability to perform virtues in order to fulfill functions and acting in ways that are against virtues and functions would not be beneficial to the human as that is not how God has created us and commanded us to act. By understanding Thomas Aquinas’ ethical views, we are able to better understand the idea of the Divine Command Theory and why these two ideas go well together in discussing ethical decisions.

Aquinas believed in five natural laws. Natural laws are certain things you can’t prove or demonstrate but that you must regard as facts. The first is that good and evil exist. The second is it is better to live than to die. Thirdly, it is good to have children and care for them. Fourthly, it is unnatural to live in solitude all our lives. Lastly, people have a desire for the

St. Tomas Aquinas was a natural law theorist like

The 3 kinds of laws that Aquinas explains are eternal law, natural law and human laws. Eternal law is the law that is written in the mind of God. This means that whichever law that God places in his own mind is the eternal law, meaning that it is unchanging and everlasting. Natural Law is also known as Divine law. This law is in correspondence to the eternal law.

I agree. Aquinas explanation of the natural law theory actually supports the divine command theory by acknowledging God as the creator of the universe, nature, reason, and morality. Since it is God’s logic behind the natural law theory and an “action is right only if it in agreement with the natural law,” I fail to see how the theory could in any way discredit the divine command

It is imperative to understand Aquinas’ definition of just and unjust laws. Through defining these terms, we will be able to understand Aquinas’ claim. A law that is just has the power of “binding in conscience” (Aquinas in Dimock, ed., 2002, p.20). It is derived from eternal law and therefore inherently morally correct. An unjust law lacks this integral quality. Aquinas is willing to say that an unjust law is a so-called law, but a just law is a law proper in its entirety.

     The Declaration of Independence forthrightly states "We hold these truths to be self evident: that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." The origin of these Rights is "...the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God..." (Declaration of Independence). The Founders used the principle of Natural Law as the basis for the Declaration of Independence as well as the Constitution. This makes the concept of Natural Rights extraordinarily important when examining the foundations of our government. However, despite this, the Natural Law argument seems to have become lost

Man is increasingly intrigued by human nature and how society functions. Because of this interest, there is a plethora of concepts surrounding man and his condition. The social contract, an agreement among individuals where individuals must sacrifice something for protection, is a cornerstone in the operation of society. Over the years, various social contract theorists have worked to understand the ties that bind man. Karl Marx, Charles Darwin, and Friedrich Nietzsche, each felt constrained by their times, and because of this introduced radical concepts surrounding the social contract. Each of the philosophers’ revolutionary concepts challenges power and even though their arguments differ dramatically Nietzsche can be viewed as the most

Thomas Aquinas's philosophy was that law existed for the common good of the particular community, and he separated law into four main sections; Eternal law, Natural law, Divine law, and Human law. Eternal law is the law of God that exists universally. Thomas said that God rules over creation like a ruler would govern their community, equating Eternal law to Human law in a sense. Divine law is dirived from eternal law, and is unchangeable by man. It is the will of God and it is usually revealed though revelations such as the Ten Commandments, or the teachings or Jesus. Human law is the section of law that deals with law that involves human rules on a societal scale. Unlike the previous two sections, human law can, and oftentimes should, be changed to better work for the common good of the community. Thomas also states that "human law cannot punish or forbid all evil deeds: since while aiming at doing away with all evils, it would do away with many good things", meaning that human laws cannot change the consience of people, and that they don't hold as much power or influence as the other three categories of law. When explaining human law, Thomas Aquinas is acknowledging positive law, but in order for those laws to be worthy of the name law, they have to closely match the natural laws that exist

Thomas Aquinas forms his theory of thinking of natural law by involving humans and the impact of their actions on God and his divine providence. Shawn Floyd writes that natural law ties in the ideas of rationality and the

St. Thomas Aquinas interpreted Aristotle’s philosophies to be read in a Christian lens. His view demonstrates that moral obligations are determinants of a natural law, one that is acquired from each individual’s “God-given nature and is knowable by [all]” (McBrayer & Markie 2014, p. 241). Aquinas emphasized morality being crucial for everyone, and that God’s plans for his creations include being good. Although, he knew that not everyone was informed of God’s moral rules; so, he theorized that God created the world in accordance to natural laws in which his creations have an innate sense of knowing what is good for themselves. From our intuitive desires, some inclinations are natural, while others are unnatural.

The concept of social contract was introduced by early thinkers like Socrates and Plato. The social contract is a political theory that involves a tacit agreement between members of society group that allows them to collaborate and promote mutual benefits, as well explains the legitimacy and authority of government. This concept is further explained and defended by 17th and 18th centuries philosophers like Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau, who helped to shape these theories and lay down the foundation for today’s democracy and the role of the government in society. Social contract theories had a profound impact on modern Western society, specifically, America and France. Subsequently, it had a dramatic ideological influence on the development of democracies around the world.