3.1.4

Criticisms of Natural Moral Law

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Criticisms of Natural Moral Law

Criticism 1

Criticism 1

  • Aquinas’ Natural Moral Law does not take the consequences into account.
  • Some Catholic Christians have an absolutist understanding of Natural Moral Law and so apply the rules in every situation.
    • Example: Some women may not be ready to have a child due to age, financial situation or mental health. They may wish to terminate their pregnancy. An absolutist interpretation of Aquinas' Law would not permit it and would lead women to illegal procedures that may kill them.
Criticism 2

Criticism 2

  • Aquinas’ view of morality is based on the God of the Abrahamic religions (in this case, the Christian God).
  • Many people don’t believe in God, so Aquinas’ justification for following these rules is not going to apply to them.
  • In the UK, the number of Christians has dropped from 59% in 2011 to 46% in 2021, and the number of non-religious people continues to increase.
Criticism 3

Criticism 3

  • A Catholic’s morality may be influenced by factors outside of their religion, such as their culture, age, and life experiences.
  • Example: A Pew Research survey showed that many Catholics believe the church should allow the use of birth control.
    • The survey found that up to 86% of those surveyed in Argentina believed the church should allow the use of birth control.
    • This suggests that the rigidity of Natural Law is being rejected by a large number of people.

Criticisms of Natural Moral Law

Non-believers

Non-believers

  • The most obvious group of people who might object to Natural Law are those who do not believe in God.
    • They would reject any idea of living a life in accordance with God’s plan.
    • They view this as outdated and belonging to a time when societies were based on religion.
    • They say we should live in accordance with secular values.
Cultural relativism

Cultural relativism

  • Is it really possible for there to be a ‘one size fits all’ morality?
    • Around the world, we see a rich variety of cultures. Each culture has different customs and rules.
  • There are many examples of cultural relativism.
Examples of cultural relativism

Examples of cultural relativism

  • For a period of time, Chinese society was concerned about the population explosion in their country.
    • They decided it was best to limit reproduction and allow families one child only.
  • Cannibalism is rejected by Christian societies because of natural law.
    • But, cannibalism has been acceptable to some cultures. They think that to behave otherwise is to waste resources.
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1

Year 7

1.1

Origins of Abrahamic Faith

1.1.1Genesis1.1.2Noah & the Flood1.1.3The Importance of Noah1.1.4Abraham1.1.5The Covenant1.1.6Abraham's Sacrifice1.1.7Ibrahim's Sacrifice1.1.8Ibrahim & Hajar1.1.9Ibrahim & the Ka'aba1.1.10Isaac & Jacob1.1.11Moses & the Exodus1.1.12The Tabernacle1.1.13Leviticus & Sacrifice1.1.14Teachings in Leviticus1.1.15Jesus' Teachings1.1.16Jesus the Rebel1.1.17Jesus' Death & Resurrection1.1.18The Meaning of Jesus' Sacrifice1.1.19The Relationship Between Judaism & Christianity1.1.20The Ka'aba1.1.21The Prophet Muhammad
1.2

Judaism

1.2.1The Nature of God1.2.2Creation1.2.3What Do Jews Believe?1.2.4Moses1.2.5Abraham & Moses1.2.6Tenakh & Talmud1.2.7Rabbis & Rabbinic Literature1.2.8The Jewish Scriptures - The Written Law1.2.9The Jewish Scriptures - The Oral Law1.2.10The Tradition of Discussion & Debate1.2.11Orthodox Judaism1.2.12Reform Judaism1.2.13The Daily Practices of Orthodox & Reform Jews1.2.14Morality & Living a Good Life1.2.15Ethical Duties of Jews1.2.16Prayer & Acts of Worship1.2.17Written & Oral Jewish Law1.2.18Afterlife1.2.19The First Temple1.2.20The Tabernacle's Journey & End1.2.21Orthodox & Reform Synagogues1.2.22The Daily Service1.2.23What is Shabbat?1.2.24Traditional Rituals for Shabbat1.2.25What is Pesach?1.2.26What is Yom Kippur?1.2.27How Have Jews Been Persecuted?1.2.28The Persecution of the Jews Throughout History1.2.29The Black Death1.2.30Antisemitism in Nazi Germany1.2.31Antisemitism in Nazi Germany 21.2.32The Holocaust1.2.33Genocide1.2.34How the Holocaust has Impacted the Jewish Identity1.2.35Holocaust Memorial1.2.36Global Diversity of Jews1.2.37Jewish Practices1.2.38Jewish Celebrations & Rituals
1.3

Christianity

1.3.1The Nature of God1.3.2Creation1.3.3Roots in Judaism1.3.4Early Spread of the Faith1.3.5Roman Persecution1.3.6Morality & Living a Good Life1.3.7Afterlife1.3.8Prayer and Acts of Worship1.3.9Kinds of Prayer1.3.10The Nativity1.3.11Christian Beliefs about the Baby Jesus1.3.12Jesus' Ministry1.3.13The Sermon on the Mount1.3.14The Crucifixion1.3.15The Last Supper1.3.16The Resurrection1.3.17Christian Beliefs about the Resurrection1.3.18The Council of Nicaea1.3.19The Nicene Creed1.3.20Saint Augustine1.3.21Development of the Christian Church1.3.22Written Authority - The Bible1.3.23Interpretation of the Bible1.3.24Celebrations1.3.25Pilgrimage1.3.26Evangelism1.3.27Protestantism1.3.28The Reformation1.3.29Christianity Today1.3.30Faith Across the World1.3.31Evangelical Churches1.3.32The Future of Christianity
1.4

Disciplinary Knowledge

1.4.1Scripture and Religious Authority1.4.2Interpreting Data1.4.3Forms of Expression1.4.4Shaping and Being Shaped by Wider Society
2

Year 8

2.1

Islam

2.1.1Pre-Islamic Arabia2.1.2The Prophet Muhammad & The Qur'an2.1.3The Hijrah & The Conquest of Mecca2.1.4The Prophet Muhammad: The Final Sermon2.1.5The Sunni/Shia Split2.1.6Islamic Caliphates2.1.7The Five Pillars of Islam2.1.8Origins of Hajj2.1.9Hajj Rituals2.1.10Jihad2.1.11Islam Today
2.2

Hindu Dharma (Hinduism)

2.2.1The Origins of Hindu Dharma2.2.2The Vedic Traditions2.2.3The Term 'Hinduism'2.2.4Revelation & Tradition2.2.5The Vedas2.2.6The Bhagavad Gita2.2.7Brahman2.2.8Atman2.2.9Understanding the Self2.2.10Hindu Deities2.2.11The Nature of the Trimurti2.2.12Cyclical Nature2.2.13Karma2.2.14Santana Dharma & Varnashrama Dharma2.2.15Varna & Castes2.2.16Ahimsa2.2.17Mandir & Puja2.2.18Ramayana & Diwali2.2.19Namakarana & Birth Rituals2.2.20Hindu Funerals2.2.21Hindu Communities Across the World2.2.22Yoga2.2.23Alexander the Great & The Mauryan Empire2.2.24British Colonialism & Gandhi
2.3

Buddhism

2.3.1Roots in Hindu Dharma2.3.2Siddhartha Gautama2.3.3Siddhartha's Four Sights2.3.4Asceticism, Enlightenment & The Middle Way2.3.5Buddha's Authority & Personal Experience2.3.6Core Belief2.3.7The Three Marks of Existence2.3.8Cyclical Time2.3.9The Four Noble Truths - Dukkha and Samudaya2.3.10The Four Noble Truths - Nirhoda and Magga2.3.11The Buddha’s Noble Eightfold Path to Enlightenment2.3.12Karma, Samsara & Nirvana2.3.13The Three Jewels2.3.14The Five Precepts2.3.15Meditation2.3.16Theravada & Mahayana Buddhisms2.3.17Puja2.3.18Buddhism in the UK and Across the World
2.4

Sikhi

2.4.1Origins of Sikhi2.4.2The Ten Sikh Gurus2.4.3The Guru Granth Sahib2.4.4Waheguru2.4.5The Sikh Concept of God2.4.6Creation of the Universe2.4.7The Khalsa2.4.8Sewa2.4.9Samsara & Mukti2.4.10The Gurdwara & the Langar2.4.11Different Interpretations2.4.12Sikhi Across the World
2.5

Atheism

2.5.1Where Did Atheism Come From?2.5.2The Impact of Scientific Developments2.5.3Plato's Cave2.5.4Challenging the Bible2.5.5The Enlightenment2.5.6Evolution2.5.7Evolution & Religion2.5.8Morality & God2.5.9Morality Without God2.5.10Frederick Nietzsche - How to Live Without Religion2.5.11Militant Atheism2.5.12Humanism2.5.13The Future of Atheism
2.6

Philosophy of Religion

2.6.1Who is God?2.6.2Theists, Atheists & Agnostics2.6.3Faith & Empiricism2.6.4The Design Argument2.6.5Is The Design Argument Convincing?2.6.6The Cosmological Argument2.6.7Criticisms of The Cosmological Argument2.6.8The Problem of Evil2.6.9Free Will Theodicy2.6.10Soul-Making Theodicy2.6.11Religious Experience2.6.12Types of Religious Experience2.6.13Criticisms of Religious Experience
2.7

Disciplinary Knowledge

2.7.1Theology2.7.2Social Sciences2.7.3Changing Roles of Men & Women2.7.4Divorce & Remarriage in the Church of England
3

Year 9

3.1

Introduction to Ethics

3.1.1The Trolley Problem3.1.2R v Dudley & Stevens3.1.3St Thomas Aquinas & Natural Moral Law3.1.4Criticisms of Natural Moral Law3.1.5Situation Ethics3.1.6Criticisms of Situation Ethics3.1.7Criticisms of Situation Ethics3.1.8Revelation as a Source of Morality3.1.9Humanist Morality3.1.10Utilitarianism3.1.11Criticisms & Strengths of Utilitarianism
3.2

Life & Death

3.2.1Sanctity of Life3.2.2Quality of Life3.2.3Abortion3.2.4Moral Questions About Abortion3.2.5Euthanasia3.2.6Moral Questions About Euthanasia3.2.7Capital Punishment3.2.8Arguments Against Captial Punishment3.2.9Animal Rights3.2.10Alternative Views on Animal Rights
3.3

Extremism

3.3.1What Does Extremism Mean?3.3.2Extremism Explained3.3.3Why do People Become Extremists?3.3.4Why do People Become Extremists? 23.3.5What are Conspiracy Theories?3.3.6Why do People Believe Conspiracy Theories?3.3.7What is Anti-Semitism?3.3.8Anti-Semitic Stereotyping3.3.9The Holocaust3.3.10After the Holocaust3.3.11Religious Fundamentalism3.3.12The Problem of Fundamentalism3.3.13Nationalism3.3.14Nationalism & Extremism3.3.15What is a Terrorist?3.3.16Political & Religious Terrorism3.3.17Free Speech & Hate Speech3.3.18Hate Speech3.3.19How do we Fight Extremism?3.3.20How do we Fight Extremism? 2
3.4

Equality

3.4.1Introduction to Equality3.4.2Is the UK an Equal Society?3.4.3Religion & Equality3.4.4Interpreting the Scripture3.4.5Racism & Scripture3.4.6Scripture Against Racism3.4.7The Fight for Racial Equality3.4.8Gender Equality & Scripture3.4.9Gender Equality; Women in Worship3.4.10LGBTQ+ Matters3.4.11The Fight for LGBTQ+ Equality3.4.12Disability Matters3.4.13The Fight for Disability Equality
4

Additional Concepts

4.1

Non-Religious People in the UK

4.1.1Statistics & Reasons4.1.2Main Tenets on Non-Religious People4.1.3Allegations Against Religious People
4.2

Believing in God Oustide of Religion

4.2.1Non-Religious Believers & New Age4.2.2Stay-At-Home Christians4.2.3Agnosticism

Practice questions on Criticisms of Natural Moral Law

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    What is a criticism of applying Natural Moral Law in an absolutist way when it comes to abortion?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    What does the Pew Research survey on birth control show about Natural Moral Law?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    Why might Natural Moral Law be less persuasive to people in the UK today than it was in the past?Multiple choice
  4. 4
    What percentage of Christians were recorded in the UK in the 2021 census?Multiple choice
  5. 5
    Select the correct statement for each pair.True / false
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St Thomas Aquinas & Natural Moral Law

Situation Ethics