What’s it all about?

Which is the false fact? Aquinas was a protestant Italian philosopher and the church's greatest theologian. Aquinas’ brothers were not impressed by his decision to join the Dominican monastery so they kidnapped him. Because he was a large man Aristotle got the nickname 'the dumb ox‘. His most famous writings include Summa Theologica and Summa Contra Gentiles. Aquinas died in 1274 and his works gain so much recognition and interest that by the time we get to the Council of Trent in 1547 his work and the Bible are the only two things placed on the altar. False – he was a catholic

Aristotle and the Prime Mover Aquinas based his ideas on earlier work by Aristotle (Greek Philosopher). Aristotle said that if we look at the world it is evident that all things have a cause. He said their must be a Prime Mover (first cause to have started this chain of events). Aristotle’s Prime mover was not like the Christian idea of God (caring/father figure) The Prime Mover was removed from the world, it was distant and without human characteristics. The Prime Mover attracted or caused actions or events almost like a magnet. Aquinas was Christian – he took Aristotle’s ideas and made them more Christian.

Aristotle: Materialist Everything has a cause and a purpose, including humans Aristotelian Eudaimonia the human purpose of being morally good and happy or human flourishing, in the material world with no focus on the afterlife Aristotle is a materialist: He argues that the soul and body are one and interconnected. This means when the material body died the soul no longer exists. Any purpose we have is in this, material world.

Aristotle’s Four Causes Tasks: Describe each of Aristotle’s Four Causes. Choose one of the following ordinary objects. Draw the object and around each apply the Four Causes: House Jumper Chair

Summary: Aristotle The Greek term ‘eudaimon’ it is composed of two parts ‘eu’ means ‘well’ and ‘daimon’ means ‘divinity’ or ‘spirit’. To be eudaimon is therefore is to be living in a way that is way that is well favoured by a God. Aristotle uses the term more generally as meaning wellbeing or flourishing. Aristotle asks what the ergon, (‘function’, ‘task’, ‘work’) of a human being is, and argues that it’s consists in activity of the rational part of the soul in accordance with virtue. Using reason while of the course a full life is what happiness consists in.

Aquinas: Human Purpose Key Concept: Aquinas’ Telos There is a perfect and fulfilling telos (end or purpose) True happiness which lies in oneness with God. Aquinas is a Dualist and Christian: His faith in the immortality of the soul and that our God given purpose to be good and moral is linked to our telos is central to Natural Law. Morality is vital as we can achieve our true purpose or telos – to be with God in Heaven

Influence of the Bible on Aquinas Paul’s letter to the Romans is the most influential for Natural Law Jews follow the 10 commandments. These were laws given to Moses by God on Mt Sinai to guide ethical behaviour. Now Jewish people (referred to as gentiles) do not have these 10 commandments yet they still follow them instinctively e.g. do not steal/ kill. For Paul these laws are written into their hearts and their conscience. God’s law is written into nature and is a by product of creation. God as an all loving being created the world to mirror his image. Moral laws are rooted in the matter of creation. If God is omnibenevolent and we are ‘made in his image’ than goodness and use of reason to access goodness is intrinsic These Biblical examples and role models further demonstrated to Aquinas the idea of a ‘natural’ human reason and law that we recognise

Combines Reason and Bible Teaching The universe was created by God so that everything has a design and a purpose. This could be understand through an examination of the natural and world and the Bible. Humanity was given reason and freedom to choose to follow the good, which fulfils God’s purpose for them.. Paul, in Romans 1-3, argues that the moral law of God is evident from the nature of man and the world ‘Ever since the creation of the world, his invisible nature, namely, his eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in things that he made’ (Romans 1:20)

Task: write 2 – 3 paragraphs to check your A01 understanding and detail. Explain the importance of Telos in Natural Law.

If PHILOSOPHY AND ETHICS can be written as; 3 6 12 5 11 23 11 3 6 18 13 7 1 17 25 6 12 25 23 What is the following phrase? 24 17 16 18 25 6 12 7 9 6 13 23 13 3 4 16 6 11 23 17 Crack the Code

"Explain why it is wrong to say 'Natural Law means doing what comes naturally'"?