Responses to Questions
1. Define natural law and give examples of how we can apply natural law to at least three different ethical decisions in your experience.
Natural law pertains to a system of justice or right held to be natural or common to all people and obtained from nature and not from the rules established by the society (Wolfe, 2003, p. 38). According to Aristotle, natural law is part of the divine law (MacKinnon, 2013, p. 57). I was once confronted with a question whether abortion should be made legal or not. As human beings, people are inclined to practice self-preservation and that people should protect human life including the baby in the mother’s womb. Whether abortion should be made legal or not will depend upon the conviction of the individual and his or her moral beliefs. Natural law does bring up the question concerning the origin of moral values. But because God is considered as a moral Supreme Being and God has fashioned his people so that we fully understand moral values through self-examination of human nature. This then offers people ways to become at ease with divine morality yet not dependent on divine morality. Homosexuality is another issue which I often heard and experience (George and Wolfe, 1997, p. 42). I know some friends of mine who are bisexuals and are involved in same sex relationships. This also tends to question the morality of the person and the explanation to this boils back to the fact that the way homosexuality is perceived depends upon the morality of the person. Another often heard practice is premarital sex or sex marriage.
2. What is your rationale for applying natural law to your three examples?
The laws of nature do not state decide for us but how we view our surroundings and how we deal with experiences and issues that eat up morality in society, we begin to discern what is right and what is wrong.
3. Do you believe others would agree with your decisions in the examples? Why or why not?
I believe that others would agree with my decisions in the examples because they, too exist in this world and we are all bounded by the same natural law and natural rights.
Peer Discussion 2
1. Define natural law and give examples
The term natural law is ambiguous in nature. Simply put, it is what we would describe as doing the right thing, being compelled to do what we feel is right. I have had numerous decisions that I have had to make that involved ethics. Once instance in which natural law was applied choosing not to break a rule that was given to me as an order knowing that being caught was virtually impossible. Another scenario I am involved with everyday is ensuring that I am doing the correct thing when no one is looking as I am operating in numerous countries. Lastly a scenario involved telling a superior of a situation that happened that could have been swept under the carpet.
Response: I agree with what you said that natural law is ambiguous in nature. Clearly, natural law did not tell us about moral values but we are imbued with these moral values because humans created it based on their understanding that God is a moral being (Wolfe, 2003, p. 39). In addition, according to the natural law, human are to decipher the moral law, particularly human nature (MacKinnon, 2013, p. 57). However, there is one problem with natural law. The problem lies in the need to address concerns in people’s ability to examine nature.
2. What is your rationale for applying natural law to your three examples?
I believe that I applied natural law in these scenarios because I was raised with a strong belief system in doing what was right. Through my parents upbringing I am able to echo those beliefs in my daily actions.
Response: I agree with what you said that our values or beliefs are influenced by our upbringing. The way we were brought up by our parents reflect the kind of moral values that we have and the way we respond to situations is a reflection of who we are as a person.
3. Do you believe others would agree with your decisions in the examples? Why or why not?
I believe most people would agree with my decisions. Regardless of upbringing I believe we are all born with a certain moral compass that ensures we are able to complete moral actions.
Response: I would like to add to what you said that we are all born with a certain moral compass. I believe that this moral compass is something that does not come from nature but rather it is something that was created by our forefathers and was improved by other scholars and experts through their investigative studies concerning morality and God’s existence.
Reference
George, R., & Wolfe, C. (1997). Natural law and liberal public reason. Am. J. Juris., 42, 31.
Holmes, O. (1918). Natural law. Harv. L. Rev., 32, 40.
Mackinnon, B. (2013). Ethics: Theory and Contemporary Issues - Concise Edition (2nd ed.). Retrieved from http://http://www.coursesmart.com/
Wolfe, C. (2003). Understanding Natural Law. The Good Society, 12(3), 38--42.
