Ana Francesca V.

Almirante DVM

1. “Human beings are born with the tendency to pursue morally good ends”. Evaluate in the
light of teleological (consequential) aspects of Natural Law.
The natural inclination or instinct of humans is to do good and avoid evil this is because our
final end or our natural end is to be with God, to be happy and content by “perfecting” ourselves
through discovering our purpose so that we could please God.
2. Critically assess the view that Natural Law is the best approach in the issue about legalizing
divorce.
According to what I have read about Natural Law, a marriage that not only satisfies the desire or
urge to produce and care for the needs of children, and their moral and educational training, but
also involves passion between the partners is the best type of union and is what a marriage
should be. It is also morally necessary for a marriage to be monogamous. When polygamy is
brought into the picture, it “kills” the marriage and interferes with the breeding or up keeping of
the children and creates doubt between the couple which makes it the worst matrimonial
arrangement. In my opinion, divorce is in accordance with the Natural Law in the sense that it
can stop a marriage from becoming toxic or noxious (which is the complete opposite of what a
marriage should be as stated in the Natural Law) and it gives the people involved a second
chance to make their lives better. This is why the Natural Law is the best approach in legalizing
divorce.
3. “Conscience is the product of culture, environment, and education”. Discuss
Culture, environment, and education influence our conscience. Conscience can sometimes act as
the “inner voice” of the norms of the society and culture that we belong to or the environment
that we live in. For example it is a norm that women should be caring and nurturing so in turn,
our conscience tells us women that we should also be caring, nurturing and kind towards other
people.
4. “Conscience is given by God, not formed by childhood experience”. Critically evaluate this
view with reference to Freud and Aquinas.
Conscience is given by God, He reveals what is and what is not in accordance with his will
through His Commandments, we, in turn, apply the things we learn from these Commandments
(such as knowledge of good and bad) into what we do. When we classify conscience as
knowledge of what is good and what is evil or understanding what is TRULY right and wrong,
then it is not formed by childhood experiences because sometimes, one is bound to do the wrong
thing if one is taught or told by their peers to do so, this means that what we think is right isn’t
actually correct so one’s conscience is in error.