GROUP 2

NATURAL LAW | ETHICS

NATURAL LAW | ETHICS

NATURA
L LAW
BY: ST.
ThOMAS
AQUINAS
GACILA | MANAIG | MARAVILLA |
MONCILLER | MONCILLER JR. | NGOHO |
SOLIS | TAÑON | TOMAS | OLIGARIO
 GROUP 2

NATURAL LAW | ETHICS

NATURAL LAW | ETHICS

NATURA
L LAW
BY: ST.
ThOMAS
AQUINAS
GACILA | MANAIG | MARAVILLA |
MONCILLER | MONCILLER JR. | NGOHO |
SOLIS | TAÑON | TOMAS | OLIGARIO
 Table of contents
Introductio
n of
Who is St.
0 Thomas
Aquinas?
A brief introduction to the life and
0 Natural
Law
1 2
works of St. Thomas Aquinas, a An overview of the key ideas
medieval philosopher and behind Natural Law, focusing
theologian known for his on how reason and human
influential teachings on morality, nature guide our actions
reason, and natural law. toward doing good and
achieving true happiness.
What are
0 the 4 Types
of
A Law of Aquinas’
summary
0 Conclusion
A concise wrap‑up
highlighting how

3 4
classification of law: Eternal, Natural Law links human
Natural, Human, and Divine—each reason to divine wisdom,
playing a role in guiding human summarizing key insights
behavior and morality. and their relevance to living
a virtuous, fulfilling life.
 0

NATURAL LAW | ETHICS

NATURAL LAW | ETHICS

Who 1
is
St.
Thomas
Aquinas?
A brief introduction to the life and works of St.
Thomas Aquinas, a medieval philosopher and
theologian known for his influential teachings on
morality, reason, and natural law.
Who is
St. Thomas
Aquinas?
St. Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274), an
Italian philosopher and theologian of
the medieval period, is known as the
Angelic Doctor.

Like Aristotle, Aquinas also believes

that man's actions are directed towards
an end. When man acts, guided by
reason, he definitely has purpose.
A. Happiness
(Encyclopedia of Philosophy)
• Happiness (Eudaimonia): The ultimate goal of human life; defined as
perfection, well-being, and fulfillment.

• Virtue Required: Achieving happiness requires intellectual and moral

virtues to guide and motivate us.

• Limits of Earthly Life: Complete happiness can't be attained in this life

—most goods don't guarantee it.

• True Happiness = Beatitude: A supernatural union with God, beyond

natural human capacity.

• Need for Grace: Due to original sin, our nature is weakened. God’s
grace (through divine virtues and gifts) is essential to restore us and
help us reach true happiness.
b. Transcript of St. Thomas
Aquinas' definition of Law
A just law is an ordinance of reason promulgated by competent
authority for the sake of the common good.

1. A just law is an ordinance of reason.

2. A just law is properly promulgated.
3. A just law must be decreed by competent authority.
4. A just law ought to be for the sake of common good.
 NATURAL LAW | ETHICS
NATURAL LAW | ETHICS

0
2
Introduction
of Natural
Law
An overview of the key ideas behind
Natural Law, focusing on how reason and
human nature guide our actions toward
doing good and achieving true happiness.
Natural Law
Natural Law, according to St. Thomas Aquinas, is the part of God’s
eternal law that humans can understand through reason. It is the moral
law written in our nature, guiding us to do good, avoid evil, and live a
virtuous life. By using our ability to reason, we naturally know what is
right and wrong—this helps us achieve our true purpose, which is
happiness and union with God.

Aquinas defines law as an ordinance of reason for the common good,

made by a legitimate authority. Authentic law, according to Aquinas,
must:

• Be rational in both its nature and implementation.

• Be created and promulgated by those with authority and care
for the community.
• Aim for the general welfare, not just the benefit of a few.
In the second part of the Summa Theologica,
Aquinas identifies four key virtues—
prudence, justice, temperance, and
courage—which he calls the cardinal virtues.
These are the foundational virtues upon which
all other virtues depend.

1. Prudence
- Wisdom concerning human affairs
- Involves two kinds of knowledge:
• General moral principles
• Specific circumstances

2. Temperance
- Moderation of physical pleasures (e.g.,
eating, drinking, sex).

3. Courage
- Virtue that moderates fear and overcomes
obstacles. Helps endure difficulty while
avoiding recklessness

4. Justice
- Virtue that governs relationships and
ensures individuals receive what they deserve
 What is

NATURAL LAW | ETHICS

NATURAL LAW | ETHICS

SIN? A morally bad act not in accord with reason and

Divine law.

Seven Deadly Sins (from Summa Theologica)

Later enumerated by St. Thomas as the primary
sources of sin.

According to St. Thomas Aquinas, sin is a morally

bad act that is not aligned with reason and the
Divine law. He identifies capital vices as those
with highly desirable ends that lead people to
commit many other sins. It is not the gravity of
these vices themselves but their ability to give
rise to multiple other sins that makes them
"capital." St. Thomas later enumerates seven
deadly sins in the Summa Theologica.
 0

NATURAL LAW | ETHICS

NATURAL LAW | ETHICS

What are
3
the 4
Types of
Law
A summary of Aquinas’ classification of law: Eternal,
Natural, Human, and Divine—each playing a role in
guiding human behavior and morality.
 What are the 4 Types of Law:

NATURAL LAW | ETHICS

NATURAL LAW | ETHICS

Eternal Law Natural Law

The rational plan of God, The part of eternal law
governing all creation. accessible to human reason,
enabling humans to
distinguish good from evil.

Human Law Divine Law

Positive laws (civil and criminal) Revelation-based laws that
derived from natural law, guide humans toward their
designed to help people act ultimate, eternal end and
rationally. salvation.
 Synderesis
Describes it as a faculty of the human mind that provides the
natural inclination to specific goods and away from evil. It
orders humans to do good and avoid evil.
NATURAL LAW | ETHICS

0
4
Conclusion
A concise wrap‑up highlighting how
Natural Law links human reason to divine
wisdom, summarizing key insights and
their relevance to living a virtuous,
fulfilling life.
 NATURAL LAW | ETHICS
NATURAL LAW | ETHICS

Conclusion
St. Thomas Aquinas’ concept of Natural Law
teaches us that human beings are naturally guided
by reason to do good and seek true happiness. This
happiness is not found in temporary pleasures, but
in living a life of virtue and ultimately being united
with God. Natural Law reminds us that deep within,
we all know what is right—and it is our purpose to
follow that path.
“The natural law is nothing
else than the rational
creature’s participation in the
eternal law.”
—St. Thomas Aquinas
 NATURAL LAW | ETHICS
NATURAL LAW | ETHICS

Thanks
Do you have any questions?

!
Credits: This presentation template was
created by Slidesgo, and includes icons by
Flaticon, and infographics & images by
Freepik.
Please keep this slide for attribution