LAW

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS: A decree of reason directed towards the COMMON GOOD and promulgated by the one
who has the care of the community
1. ORDINANCE/DECREE: obligation force and not merely a recommendation/suggestion
2. ORDINANCE OF REASON: it must be based on the insights of reason into what is good for the community
3. COMMON GOOD: laws can only be enacted for the common good and not for the private good of a few citizens
4. PROMULGATION: the official publication of law so that it can come to the knowledge of the subjects
Promulgation is necessary in order that a law becomes obligatory
Laws can only be enacted by those who are in charge of the community as the legitimate authority

WHY ARE LAWS NECESSARY?

1. Laws are necessary to concretize the different aspects or dimensions of life.

DIFFERENT ASPECTS OR DIMENSIONS OF HUMAN LIFE:
a. Aesthetic
b. Social
c. Cultural
d. Economic
e. Physical
f. Moral
g. Religious
h. Historical
2. Laws are important to protect people from those who abuse freedom.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A HUMAN LAW TO BE CALLED A GOOD HUMAN LAW

1. It must be in accordance to the Divine Law/Gods Will.
2. It must be for the common good.
3. It must be in accordance to the time, place, and custom.

CLASSES OF LAWS
1. ETERNAL LAWS ST. AUGUSTINE: the divine reason or the will of God commanding the natural order of
things to be preserved and forbidding that it be disturbed
The universal law whereby God directs and govern the universe and the ways of the human community
according to His plan of wisdom and love
EXAMPLE: Law of Gravity, Law of Inertia
2. NATURAL LAWS CFC: the universal and moral law built into human beings by God in creating them and
accessible to the light of reason
It is the ETERNAL LAW as known to man by his reason
Refers to the human participation in Gods External Law
Man knows evil in themselves, and some things which are necessarily good
Involves a recognition of the objective nature of the moral order, grounded in Gods providence, and
which is accessible to human understanding and obedience the use of reason
There is a way human life should be lived and this should-ness is grasped by reason
FUNDAMENTAL EXPRESSION OF THE NATURAL LAW: Do good, avoid evil
EXAMPLE: man knows that lying and murder are evil, and he knows that truthfulness and respect for
life and property are good
3. HUMAN LAW contains regulation which may not be direct requirement of Natural Law, but to a certain extent
depending on the free, though reasonable, will of the lawgiver
Deals with the juridical order of society be it the state or be it the Church (or similar religious bodies),
insofar as this order is determined by laws which are enacted for the common good
EXAMPLE: The Constitution
4. DIVINE LAW norms contained in the word of the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are looked
upon as revealed Divine Law
a. May spell out obligations of Natural Law in order to clarify them
b. May enjoin additional obligation of a positive nature
EXAMPLES: 10 Commandments, Ceremonial Law in the Old Testament
10 COMMANDMENTS
1. Love God above all.
2. Respect and honor Gods name.
3. Respect and honor the Lords Day.
4. Respect and honor your father and mother.
5. Respect Gods gift of life.
6. You shall not commit adultery
7. You shall not steal.
8. Respect the truth.
9. You shall not covet your neighbors wife.
10. You shall not covet your neighbors belongings.

6 and 9 respecting human sexuality

7 and 10 building justice
6 and 7 refers to the outward action
9 and 10 covet: refers to the inner desires