Explain what is meant by a natural law approach to ethics.

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Explain what is meant by a Natural Law approach to Ethics.

Natural law is an absolutist theory. According to said theory there are easily definable moral absolutes; both right and wrong discovered through reason and observations. These codes are the same in all religions, cultures and times. The laws do not take into account relative situations and do not change to fit the circumstances in which they may be more helpful. The natural order is determined by a supernatural power-most commonly referred to as God. The laws are independent of public opinion and are unchangeable. The natural law exists to assist humans to direct their actions in such a way that they will reach their final purpose and eternal destiny with God.

The natural law theory was developed by St Thomas Aquinas. He was an absolutist and deontological theorist. This means that he believed that actions were intrinsically right or wrong, irrespective of their consequences. He worked through the 12th century bringing different ideas from different cultures together. His work was heavily influenced by a Greek philosopher Aristotle. The mediaeval church rejected Aristotle's ideas, as they believed he was trying to replace religion with reason, which