Br. Mike Justine S.

Decena, MMHC Fundamental Moral Theology

Rev. Fr. Pablo Tiong, O.P. SThB1

The traditional concept of defining the natural law states that ‘it is the law of human
conduct which arises from human nature as order to its ultimate natural end and which is
recognized by the natural light of reason. Whereas, the revised concept of defining the natural law
states that ‘it is the law of human conduct which arises from the full reality of human nature as
ordered to its ultimate end and which is recognized by means of reason, independent of positive
Christian revelation.
Looking at the traditional and revised definition of the natural law the common
denominator between the two is the use of reason, this would infer that man being created by God
with the gift of intellect must use it to attain his ultimate end.
Now we go to the differences between the two definitions. The traditional would give
emphasis only to reason as the essential, primary element and the subjective medium of cognition
for man to know his way to attain his natural ultimate end. While the revised definition would
consider reason aided and supplemented by faith as its medium of cognition that would led him/her
towards the supernatural ultimate end, and based on human nature as elevated by grace. The main
difference between the two definitions is the subject and way of attaining the ultimate end. The
traditional definition would only refers to the attainment of the natural end of men for it only uses
the natural capacity of man of describing, defining and distinguishing what is moral while the
revised definition would refer to the attainment of the supernatural end of man for it uses not only
the natural faculty of man which is reason but it is aided by the supernatural faculty which is faith.
The weakness of the traditional definition is that it only rely on the use of a limited faculty
of man which is reason for it is subject to error and corruption. Reason alone would not lead man
to fathom his/her own origin and his goals and ways to attain it. That’s why it is good that the early
theologians revised its meaning and context putting a supernatural faculty which is faith influenced
by God’s grace that would help man towards his/her ultimate end. The two definitions would infer
that man is limited and prone to error for even his/her preference to what is good and evil may be
different and imperfect, but still we cannot deny the fact that there is an innate law written deep
within our hearts imprinted by the maker who has given us gifts and faculties both natural and
supernatural that would help and lead us to search for a way for us to attain our ultimate end.