1. The Stoics were a school of Greek philosophy that started just after the time of Aristotle, and remained popular for about 400 years.
human nature as part of the natural order
human reason essential to what human nature is, and a spark of the divine logos, which orders the cosmos.
A good, or virtuous person, is one who lives in accordance with the order of nature: according to this divine logos - according to the nature that we have been given
– upright posture, for farsightedness;
- speech, for communication,
- a sense of fellow-feeling, for social life
- reason, for rational thought.
Living thus, is having virtue. Virtue is sufficient for happiness. (“Stoic Calm”)
One of the most famous Stoics, Cicero (50BC), said:
“True law is right reason in agreement with nature…it is of universal application, unchanging...there will not be different laws in Rome and Athens, or now and in the future”.  
“It is the learned man, for whom intelligence and reason is law: for the crowd, law is that which is commanded or prohibited by written decrees.”
Stoics: Cicero

3. Mindmap On your mindmap, add key information/ headings about Aristotle
Cicero (Stoics)

4. Aquinas & Natural Law St. Thomas Aquinas (1225 -1274 AD)
Great work, the Summa Theologica
- to explain the origin, workings, and purpose of universe, and man, in a reasoned and systematic way = scholasticism.
Uses Aristotelian and Christian concepts:
Christian: because he believes ultimate truth is revealed by God.
Aristotle: because like him, he believes that truth can be discovered by reason, even by non-believers.
Scholasticism = A way of doing philosophy and theology that is … , and based on … and … concepts.
What ideas do you think he is going to borrow from
Aristotle?
The Stoics?

5. NL in Christian Tradition
Fathers of the Church: ( AD) nature and reason show us how we should live. Doing this, is following God’s wisdom in making the world. (=Cicero)
St. Paul (60AD): there is an unwritten law that all people can recognise
St. Augustine: “the Eternal Law is the divine reason, or the will of God, ordering the conservation of the natural order and forbidding its disruption”.
What do you notice that is new, or being emphasised, in the Christian view of Natural Law?
Aquinas wants to
synthesise this Christian tradition about Natural Law as an expression of God’s wisdom, with Aristotle’s philosophy - of “dispositions” “form” and “final causes” - and in terms of man as a rational creature, with a “final end”.
explain how there can be an unchanging eternal order in creation, yet human laws (which should derive from this natural order), can be changeable according to time and place.

6. 1. Synthesising Aristotle & Christianity: 4 kinds of Law
Eternal Law:
God’s design and ordering of the world, known to God alone
Divine Law:
God reveals his will for how the world should be ordered eg 10 Commandments
Natural Law:
the ordering of things according to right reason, according to their final ends
a reflection of the eternal law
only humans recognise it and can freely act according to it, through right reason thus participating in the Eternal Law of God.)
Human Law (positive law):
human legislation aiming for the common good in society, in respect of the order of nature (eg man should free, and able to live harmoniously in society)
It is our duty to co-operate with the NL divine ordering of the world – thus consciously participate in the Eternal Law
What connections can you find with Aristotle?
Reason
Final end
According to dispositions in nature
What differences can you find from Aristotle?

7. Applying Aquinas: What sort of things should we want to do?
The basic precept of Practical Reason
Law of contradiction is a basic precept of theoretical reason…
“Good should be done and evil avoided”.
These “goods” are going to be natural ends, following Aristotle.
Inclination  a “good”  ought to be followed = NL
The “goods” of Practical Reason?
What are the real goods
How should we prioritise them?

8. Choose from the list what the real, or apparent goods may be
Choose from the list what the real, or apparent goods may be. Write them in 2 columns. Then add 3 of your own to each column.
Getting wealth
Gambling
A good meal
A happy conscience
Friendship
Satisfying work
Wild nights out
Honour, prizes, promotions
Relaxing in front of the TV
Explain the difference between real and apparent goods.
How does Aquinas argue against apparent goods?

9. Summarise Aquinas’ way of thinking about doing the right thing

10. The Final End of Man Real goods  Beatific Vision
Man’s final end must be something everyone can achieve
Nothing sensuous can ever fully satisfy us = as we have reason that goes beyond sensual satisfaction, and spirit.
Can’t be theoretical reason – pure rationality as academic not within everybody’s power (Aristotle’s “contemplation”)
Only union with God is satisfying – we are images of God -only within God’s power to bestow
Human goodness permits this to happen (sin doesn’t)
Everybody has practical reason, and knows the Fundamental Principle of Practical Reason; tend towards goodness
The Final End of Man
Aristotle: Eudaimonia
Living well, fully happy life, by virtuous reason.
The rational contemplation of the “prime mover”
Aquinas: the Beatific Vision.
Real goods  Beatific Vision

11. Add to your mindmap Make notes/ present on..
Cicero
Final end of man
Real vs. apparent goods
4 laws
Fundamental precept of morality
How you work out what is a precept of NL
NL link to Eternal Law
Aquinas’ use of Aristotle
Aquinas difference from Aristotle