Religion and Ethics – Deontological ethics (Natural Law: Aquinas, Finnis, Proportionalism)

Natural Law is a deontological ethical theory rooted in the idea that morality is derived from the nature of humans and the world, as created by God. Developed primarily by Thomas Aquinas, it argues that moral principles are universal, absolute, and discoverable through reason. Aquinas synthesised Aristotelian philosophy with Christian theology, proposing that humans have an innate purpose (telos) to achieve 'eudaimonia' (flourishing) by following the 'eternal law' of God, which is reflected in 'natural law'. This theory is absolutist and deontological, meaning it judges actions based on their intrinsic rightness or wrongness, not consequences.

In the WJEC A-Level specification, Natural Law is studied alongside its modern developments, such as the 'New Natural Law Theory' of John Finnis, who secularises Aquinas's approach by grounding natural law in 'basic goods' and 'practical reasonableness'. Proportionalism, associated with Bernard Hoose, offers a nuanced Catholic approach that allows for exceptions to absolute moral rules when a proportionate reason exists. Understanding these variations is crucial for evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of deontological ethics, especially in applied contexts like medical ethics, sexuality, and justice.

This topic is central to the 'Religion and Ethics' component because it contrasts with teleological theories like Utilitarianism and challenges students to consider whether morality is discovered or constructed. It also connects to broader philosophical debates about free will, divine command theory, and the role of reason in ethics. Mastering Natural Law and its developments equips students to critically analyse moral dilemmas and engage with contemporary ethical issues from a deontological perspective.