Natural Law and Kantian Ethics

1. By Dr Lewis and Professor Blake Natural Law and Kantian Ethics

2. Intro to Kantian ethics • For Kant, acting purely from emotion or outcome was not a sufficient on its own to deem an action a good one. • For him, morality was a priori. • He believed in two worlds: • Phenomenal realm- Inhabited by Animals; driven by instincts, lust and desires. Behave in accordance to the empirical realm of cause and effect. • Noumenal realm- Inhabited by God and Angels; driven by reason. • Humans exist in both realms, aware of both reason and instinct

3. Categories of thought • The chaotic sensations of the outer world are ordered by out mind by categories of thought. • An example if Reason which is subdivided: • Pure Reason- What is the case • Practical Reason- What ought to be done • In order for human beings to have a moral experience, practical reason must issue imperatives to the will. This is how moral judgment is made.

4. Duty and Good Will • Good Will, or intention, is the valuable thing in itself, regardless of the consequences. • Good intention and respect for moral law makes an action morally good. • Duty- Something which you work out through reason and consequently it’s something that applies universally. The action is good to do because it isgood to do. • Good Will + Duty= A good moral action

5. The Imperatives • Hypothetical Imperative- Deciding to do an action based on what its outcome will be. • Categorical imperative- Doing an action because your absolute and universal sense of moral duty says ‘you should do this’. • There are 3 formulations of the categorical imperative: • We must act on what we feel everyone should also do • You must never use someone as a means as their abilities as a rational being makes them too valuable to deisrespect. • Act as if you are a citizen in a country of autonomous individuals. Everyone should have the right to be self governing.

6. Intro to Natural Law • Natural Law- Everyone has a natural sense that ‘good is to be done and evil avoided’ • Natural Laws are universal and unchangeable. • By using God-given reason to follow the right course of action a human is putting themselves in touch with natural law. • Natural law is understood by reflecting on human nature and rationally working out what leads to happiness.

7. Synderesis • We have a need to understand the principles of natural law so that the more we understand ourselves the more we understand God’s purpose and how we should behave. • This ensures that we seek the good and turn from evil- Synderesis.

8. Influence of Aristotle • Aristotle categorised different species according to their nature. One’s nature determines the type of creature one becomes. • The distinctive feature of human nature is the ability to be rational. • So by following reason, as opposed to desires, humanity will be able to fulfill their natural, intended end purpose

9. Introducing God into ideas • Aquinas developed Aristotle's ideas but essentially added God. • EssentialistFoundation; Essence prior to existence. The imago dei (ideal plan for humans) exist within the divine mind before creation. • Good is fulfilling ones essence • You fulfil your essence by living a life according to God’s plan • Sin is ‘falling short’ of the essence through misuse of free will.

10. Aquinas’ 5 Primary Precepts • To Live • To Learn • To Reproduce • To live in an ordered society • To worship God. • If you follow these and use these to make decisions you will fulfil your essence

11. THANK YOU