Explain how Natural Law theory can be used to decide the right moral action

Natural Law theory is a philosophy asserting that certain rights or values are inherent by virtue of human nature. It is an absolutist ethical theory (particular actions are intrinsically right or wrong) and can be considered deontological (judges the morality of an action based on the action rather than its consequences, from the Greek deon- obligation, duty). In addition, Natural Law theory directs people to their divine purpose; good acts are those that enable humans to fulfil their purpose. Aquinas’ main argument for Natural Law is called the synderisis rule; this is the idea that humanity naturally seeks to ‘do good and avoid evil’ which opposes the reformation assumption from the bible that ‘all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory’ (Romans 3:23). Aquinas believed that we are all born with good natures and we therefore pursue good ends. The divine law (revealed to humanity in the bible) reflects God’s eternal law and is revealed in the scriptures; it is from the Bible that Aquinas devised the primary precepts. The primary precepts are the five basic principles that Aquinas defined as being known innately by everyone (preservation of life, ordered society, worship of God, education and reproduction); this is because we all have the same innate human nature. They are a reflection of God’s eternal law and are always true because they help to point us towards the fundamentals of human flourishing (eudemonia) which we achieve by happiness. These primary precepts are further supported by several secondary precepts (applications of the primary precepts using human reason), which are dependant on our own judgement and may not be as absolute, meaning that as our society changes and develops, the precepts can be adjusted accordingly. An example of this is the commandment ‘thou shalt not kill’, which is suspended during times of war (nevertheless, the purpose of fighting a war is to retain an ordered society and therefore one could argue that it still confirms to Natural Law). Aquinas believed that no one could do something with the intention of creating evil (e.g. a women who commits adultery does not normally do so to inflict pain on her husband), however, some things, which may appear to be good break the Natural Law; this is called an apparent good. Apparent goods are often mistaken for real goods when a moral dilemma is rationalised beyond normal morality (e.g. Hitler’s genocide of the Jewish population and other minorities). In conclusion, Natural Law theory can be used to decide the right moral action by referring the action against the precepts that make Natural Law an absolutist policy. As cultures develop, Natural Law too can change to cope with differing behaviours and opinions; this means that Natural Law will always be useful when we decide on the right moral principles.