1. Casuistry
DEFINE: A type of moral reasoning, inductively deriving moral precepts from individual cases, and considering the act, intention and situation.
RELATIONSHIP TO 1o PRINCIPLES:
Casuistry provides much needed flexibility because... For example..
On the other hand it is controversial because… For example...
LIMITATIONS to what principles can be derived – act, intention must be good. Eg of wrong intention, eg of wrong action – therefore hard to justify breaking of primary precepts, except for very good reasons. Realistic.
Eg DOUBLE EFFECT: classic example of casuistry, when dealing with necessary actions that may cause serious harm. For example...
Limitations are provided by 4 criteria, to ensure 1 precepts are not broken without reason and correct moral intention. These are..(GUnDiP)
Eg PROBABILISM/ EQUIPROBABILISM: clarify to what extent 1o or 2o precepts need to be followed – if there is a unique and exceptional situation, there may be an authoritative “solidly probable” opinion that permits it (probabilism) although St. Alphonsus said that following the law with most evidence/ opinion behind it should be followed first (equiprobabilism). This makes casuistry less vulnerable to “exceptional” opinions.
EVALUATION: casuistry goes against the “spirit” of the 10 precepts, by finding excuses to break them, rather than keep them. It makes morality depend on some clever rationalising, based on some exceptional aspects of the situation – this could be v. subjective. (although probabilism says to follow an authoritative opinion at least). On the other hand, moral sitautions are complex and always unique – casuistry gives people freedom and space for their own moral deliberation, rather than blind rule-following.

2. Applying Aquinas’ Natural Law

3. Principle of Totality + Aquinas: Aristotle: Parts exist for the whole
The good of the part is subordinated to the whole
+ Aquinas:
perfection consists in integrating the parts.
a person has no right to destroy or mutilate their parts, or make himself incapable of his natural functions, as this would destroy the unity of the person (of the relation of parts to whole, and whole to parts).

4. Applying the Principle of Totality...
In sex, how do the sexual organs function, for the good of the whole?
How does the person relate to the functioning of their sexual organs?
In contraception, are things different? Does this respect the unity of the person?
Parts exits for the good of the whole
A person may not prevent the natural function of their parts/ destroy/ mutilate
Perfection consists of integrating the parts.
In amputation of a gangrenous limb?
In the use of laxatives for dieting?
For organ donation eg “spare” 2nd kidney?
At times of ‘random’ sexual arousal?

5. Applying N.L. Define the action
Applying this scheme to sexual reproduction, what can we discover?
Define the action
The 4 causes of the action: especially final and efficient cause
THE Fundamental Precept
Primary precepts arising from this?
Secondary precepts arising?
Final end? …integrating inclinations
Double effect?
Principle of Totality
What would you add if you were discussing
Homosexuality?
Abortion?
IVF?

6. Vardy argues that Aquinas is not holistic…is this true?
From “The Puzzle of Ethics”, p.45

7. Contraception, Homosexuality
Choose one topic
Present your topic using the NL scheme, including the arguments that you read about on your sheets.

8. Aristotle’s Four Causes – MEFF.
Definition – of sexual reproduction in humans. Physiological, behavioural.
Aristotle’s Four Causes – MEFF.
Material – man and woman sleep together
Efficient – method by which act occurs
Formal – whole process from attraction to birth
Final – conception of an embryo to result in birth of new human person
Fundamental Precept – do good, avoid evil.
Primary precepts
2nd: to reproduce. Aiding procreation is a natural good. (IVF? Artificial contraception? Masturbation? Homosexual sex?
Final end: does it foster, or oppose, union with God?
Secondary Principles
Interior act (intention) and exterior act (what you actually do) important as well as situation. Induction from specific cases.
Double effect?
Use contraception for unitive purpose in marriage, but to avoid giving AIDS to your partner. Primary intention is to avoid harm, not to avoid pregnancy..
Or use contraception to regulate menstrual bleeding (medicinal use), rather than to avoid pregnancy…
Principle of Totality
Cannot prevent natural function of the part. Contraception is preventing natural function of sexual organs for procreative use.
Parts must be used & integrated for the good of the whole. So marriage or celibacy are ok, as in both cases sexual organs used in total “life project” of the whole person. Promiscuity is not, as simply acting on urge of the parts, without considering emotions & intentions of the whole.