Thomas Aquinas Natural Law Summary

In question 94 of his On Law, Morality, and Politics, Thomas Aquinas initiates his interpretation of natural law. He defines law as, “an ordinance of reason for the common good by one competent to make it, and promulgated” (10). Here, he suggests law is derived from an act of reason which commands or prohibits. Thus, it compels behavior. It must be rational and ordered to the common good of a community. Throughout On Law, Morality, and Politics, Aquinas analyzes four kinds of law: human, divine, eternal, and natural. Although human law is integral for the order of society, humans require more in order to live virtuous lives. Therefore, natural law is important due to its focus on human beings and their societies, as well as for its interconnected

It also plays an important role within human life and human communities. This is a result of its interconnectedness with eternal law, which is depicted through the statement, “And so it is clear that the natural law is simply rational creatures’ sharing in the eternal law” (18). Here, Aquinas speaks to the idea that natural law is linked to eternal law, as everything that is made shares in eternal law and natural law is God’s plan for everything. In accordance with natural law, we understand that everything has been affected by and shaped in eternal law. This includes animals. However, Aquinas emphasizes a major distinguishing factor between animals and humans. While both share in eternal law, humans are able to participate in eternal law with rationality and reasoning. Thus, natural law is an integral aspect of human life and human activity as it is one of the major factors distinguishing us from animals. This is significant as it suggests that God purposely created us to have

He describes precepts as something to be followed and obeyed. All following precepts derive from primary precepts. Thereby, anything stated by a primary precept is to either be followed, if it is virtuous, or avoided, if it is evil. All other precepts derive from this idea. Thus, while primary precepts do not change, secondary precepts can. A discussion of these precepts when speaking about natural law is important as they define the binding force of natural law. That is, the precepts of natural law outline the correct way to follow each natural inclination. Thus, the precepts of natural law are an important aspect of human law as they emphasize the need to do good and avoid evil.

It is easy to believe that each individual is embedded with a sense of natural law, as this implies that humans are naturally good. Thus, one could assume that it is natural for humans to be attracted to virtuous lives and make every effort to avoid evil. However, Aquinas mentions that this is not always the case. Natural law is not something we are taught. It is something we are born with. Consequently, some individuals are born with a wickedness which mars their natural law. This is supported in the fourth article of Question 94, which