THESIS 4 NATURAL LAW ETHICS

The Natural Law Ethics teaches that morality is about nature and the natural order of
things. It consists of five norms such as natural law, human reason, human nature, the
nature itself, and conscience. Conscience is the voice of God and it is also considered
as a reason because this is the sense of guilt of every individual. In this theory, good is
achieved when one act rightly if he/she is following the voice of conscience. However,
when one contradicts and is against it, evilness is achieved.

The norms of natural law ethics are natural law, human reason, conscience, human
nature, nature itself. Natural law means the natural order of things. In this norm, natural
is good and unnatural is evil. In addition, natural law is always based on nature itself.
Human reason is the source morality. According to St. Thomas Aquinas, conscience is
the voice of God or reason. It is the one that gives us a sense of guilt or remorse. Both
human nature and nature itself are rooted from personhood.

Natural Law Ethics is composed of four principles the principle of totality, principle of
inviolability, principle of stewardship, and principle of sexuality and procreation.

The principle of totality means that the parts of the physical entity are ordained to the
good of the physical whole. In this concept, a person has no right to mutilate any part of
their body if it is not for the general well-being of the whole. In this principle, it serves
that each part of the body makes up the whole serving its function or purpose. In
accordance to this, cutting of a part of the body is justifiable in scenarios like diabetic
people or even cancer because doing so would mean for the welfare of the body.

The principle of inviolability means that any action that goes against the human life is
considered evil. Life is sacred and every individuals are imposed to respect and not to
abuse it. In this principle, any action that harms the human life is considered immoral or
evil and this includes suicide and murder as an example.

The principle of sexuality and procreation means that sex is Gods gift for procreation
and not for recreation. This principle explains how the purpose of the human beings
intended by nature of reproducing. People should follow or participate in Gods
procreating path. In the concept of this principle, if the nature of the reproductive system
is not followed through this principle, it is unnatural, therefore, it is evil. In violation of
this principle are the use of contraceptives and indulging into pre-marital sex.