Moral decision-making
The Catholic Church takes an absolutist stance when it comes to moral and ethical decisions. An absolutist stance and theory means that there are set rules and guidelines for people to follow and there is no confusion about what the decision should be.
Natural moral law
Natural moral law is an absolutist theory that was developed by Thomas Aquinas, a priest and prominent theologian in the early Church, and uses the natural order of the world as its basis. The natural law theoryAn absolutist theory that was developed by Thomas Aquinas, and uses the natural order of the world as its basis. theory is an absolutist theory based on the belief that there is a natural order to the world and that natural order has been designed by God.
This natural law is found within human nature as well as humanity's search for genuine happiness and fulfilment. Humans use their nature to interpret and understand what the natural law is.
Aquinas maintained that the natural moral law is what humans naturally tend towards, as it is:
- accessible to all
- universal
- unchanging
- for all time
- relevant
- given by God
The Catholic Church supports the natural law approach to ethical decision-making, because it affirms that God is the creator of all things and therefore everything has a design and purpose.
Aquinas also stated that everything could be understood through a study of the natural world and the scriptures, and that humanity was given free willThe ability to make choices (particularly moral choices) voluntarily and independently. The belief that nothing is predetermined. alongside reasonThe ability to think and to work things out., which fulfils God鈥檚 purpose for them. By following each of these stages, an individual is following the natural moral law.