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#Post#: 85--------------------------------------------------
Why should I accept natural law theory?
By: ClassicalLiberal.Theist Date: February 15, 2020, 7:49 pm
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I see no good arguments in either direction. It seems to me that
you either accept the definition of whats good or you don't, and
I see no reason to accept it. I also see no reason that I ought
to follow the conclusions either, because there really is no
oughtness about it as far as I can tell.
#Post#: 86--------------------------------------------------
Re: Why should I accept natural law theory?
By: Dominik Date: February 16, 2020, 8:48 am
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1. Goodness is convertible with being (Things have to be fully
actualized according to their nature to be fully good)
2. Objective goodness exists.
3. In a non-natural law environment objective goodness is
arrived at best if we follow our conscience.
4. But our conscience is not a universal guide. People disagree
about what is intuitively good.
5. Because of 4, 3 is not a good guide to arrive at 2.
6. Hence we should accept 1 to arrive at 2.
7. Therefor we should accept natural law.
The weakness in natural law might be that we don´t fully know
the essence of a thing or all the goals of a particular faculty.
But for example when we run with the example of abortíon it is
only 1 that leaves us with direct arguments from nature why it
should be considered an immoral act. It is also only 1 that
gives direct arguments as to why the life is to be considered
more important than the choice. Arguing from objective morality
to the other side, I don´t see how that is possible without
invoking abstract rules that lack an intelligible foundation.
Natural law is not perfect, but I think it is what provides the
best basis from which ethics can be developed.
#Post#: 108--------------------------------------------------
Re: Why should I accept natural law theory?
By: T Date: March 21, 2020, 8:57 am
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What were you referring to when you said "good"?
When legislators make laws, what do they base them on, nothing?
#Post#: 110--------------------------------------------------
Re: Why should I accept natural law theory?
By: jd3 Date: April 2, 2020, 12:56 am
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I too am interested in why one should follow natural law ethics.
Also, if someone could explain the difference between the "old"
and "new" natural law, I am curious about that also.
#Post#: 114--------------------------------------------------
Re: Why should I accept natural law theory?
By: T Date: April 4, 2020, 10:00 am
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Because you will have to assume natual law in order to deny it.
As soon as you start saying words like "good" or "purpose" or
whatever other terms you're going to use to describe the . . . .
"goal" (there's another one. See you can't escape) . . .. of
ethics, you are assuming natural law.
#Post#: 120--------------------------------------------------
Re: Why should I accept natural law theory?
By: ClassicalLiberal.Theist Date: April 13, 2020, 1:59 pm
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@T N
When I say things like good, I am appealing to my intuitive
sense of what good is. Certainly, I do not always use the term
good in the same way that a natural law theorist does. For
example, I think that it is good that a husband and a wife have
sex, with or without the use of various types of contraception.
This would be rejected on an analysis of a natural law theorist.
I am also using the term good in an ought sense, not in a way
that reduces oughtness to isness (like how goodness is reduced
to being).
#Post#: 162--------------------------------------------------
Re: Why should I accept natural law theory?
By: T Date: June 24, 2020, 6:24 pm
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You wrote: "When I say things like good, I am appealing to my
intuitive sense of what good is."
Which is a way to say 'natural law' when you don't want to say
'natural law'.
Whether sex for a married couple is "good" is one question.
Whether or not contraception is "good" is a different question.
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