The Argument from Natural Law

Description: The Argument from Natural Law is a philosophical argument that attempts to demonstrate the existence of God and the objective morality of human actions based on the observation of the natural world.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: natural law philosophy of religion ethics
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What is the central idea of the Argument from Natural Law?

  1. The existence of God can be proven through the observation of nature.

  2. Human beings have a natural inclination to do good and avoid evil.

  3. The laws of nature are evidence of a divine lawgiver.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The Argument from Natural Law is a cumulative argument that draws on several different lines of evidence to support its conclusion.

What is the teleological argument?

  1. The argument that the existence of God can be proven through the observation of nature.

  2. The argument that human beings have a natural inclination to do good and avoid evil.

  3. The argument that the laws of nature are evidence of a divine lawgiver.

  4. None of the above.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The teleological argument is based on the idea that the universe is designed for a purpose, and that this purpose is evidence of a divine designer.

What is the moral argument?

  1. The argument that the existence of God can be proven through the observation of nature.

  2. The argument that human beings have a natural inclination to do good and avoid evil.

  3. The argument that the laws of nature are evidence of a divine lawgiver.

  4. None of the above.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The moral argument is based on the idea that human beings have a natural sense of right and wrong, and that this sense of morality is evidence of a divine lawgiver.

What is the cosmological argument?

  1. The argument that the existence of God can be proven through the observation of nature.

  2. The argument that human beings have a natural inclination to do good and avoid evil.

  3. The argument that the laws of nature are evidence of a divine lawgiver.

  4. None of the above.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The cosmological argument is based on the idea that the universe is governed by laws that are evidence of a divine lawgiver.

Which philosopher is most closely associated with the Argument from Natural Law?

  1. Thomas Aquinas

  2. John Locke

  3. David Hume

  4. Immanuel Kant


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Thomas Aquinas was a 13th-century Dominican friar and theologian who is considered one of the most important philosophers in Western history. He is best known for his Summa Theologica, a comprehensive work of theology that includes a detailed discussion of the Argument from Natural Law.

What is the main objection to the Argument from Natural Law?

  1. The argument is based on a false analogy between the natural world and the human world.

  2. The argument relies on a circular argument.

  3. The argument is incompatible with the theory of evolution.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The Argument from Natural Law has been criticized on several grounds, including the claim that it is based on a false analogy between the natural world and the human world, that it relies on a circular argument, and that it is incompatible with the theory of evolution.

How does the Argument from Natural Law relate to the concept of natural rights?

  1. Natural rights are derived from the laws of nature.

  2. Natural rights are inherent in human beings by virtue of their rational nature.

  3. Natural rights are protected by the state.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The Argument from Natural Law is often used to support the idea of natural rights, which are rights that are inherent in human beings by virtue of their rational nature. These rights are said to be universal and inalienable, and they include the right to life, liberty, and property.

What is the significance of the Argument from Natural Law in Western political thought?

  1. The argument has been used to justify the authority of the state.

  2. The argument has been used to support the idea of limited government.

  3. The argument has been used to defend the rights of individuals.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The Argument from Natural Law has been used to justify the authority of the state, to support the idea of limited government, and to defend the rights of individuals. It has been a major influence on Western political thought since the Middle Ages.

Which of the following is an example of a natural law?

  1. The law of gravity

  2. The law of supply and demand

  3. The law of diminishing returns

  4. The law of conservation of energy


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Natural laws are laws that are inherent in the nature of things. The law of gravity is an example of a natural law because it is a law that governs the behavior of all objects in the universe.

Which of the following is an example of a moral law?

  1. The law against murder

  2. The law against theft

  3. The law against fraud

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Moral laws are laws that govern human conduct. The law against murder, the law against theft, and the law against fraud are all examples of moral laws.

What is the relationship between natural law and moral law?

  1. Natural law is the foundation of moral law.

  2. Moral law is the foundation of natural law.

  3. Natural law and moral law are independent of each other.

  4. None of the above.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Natural law is the foundation of moral law because moral laws are derived from natural laws. Natural laws are laws that are inherent in the nature of things, while moral laws are laws that govern human conduct.

How does the Argument from Natural Law support the existence of God?

  1. The argument claims that the existence of natural laws is evidence of a divine lawgiver.

  2. The argument claims that the existence of moral laws is evidence of a divine lawgiver.

  3. The argument claims that the existence of both natural and moral laws is evidence of a divine lawgiver.

  4. None of the above.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The Argument from Natural Law supports the existence of God by claiming that the existence of both natural and moral laws is evidence of a divine lawgiver. Natural laws are laws that are inherent in the nature of things, while moral laws are laws that govern human conduct. The argument claims that the existence of these laws is evidence of a divine lawgiver who created the universe and who has given human beings a moral sense.

What are some of the criticisms of the Argument from Natural Law?

  1. The argument is based on a false analogy between the natural world and the human world.

  2. The argument relies on a circular argument.

  3. The argument is incompatible with the theory of evolution.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The Argument from Natural Law has been criticized on several grounds, including the claim that it is based on a false analogy between the natural world and the human world, that it relies on a circular argument, and that it is incompatible with the theory of evolution.

Despite these criticisms, why do some people continue to believe in the Argument from Natural Law?

  1. They believe that the argument is sound and that it provides strong evidence for the existence of God.

  2. They believe that the argument is a good starting point for a discussion about the existence of God.

  3. They believe that the argument is a valuable tool for teaching about morality.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Some people continue to believe in the Argument from Natural Law because they believe that it is sound and that it provides strong evidence for the existence of God. Others believe that the argument is a good starting point for a discussion about the existence of God. Still others believe that the argument is a valuable tool for teaching about morality.

What is the significance of the Argument from Natural Law in contemporary ethical debates?

  1. The argument is used to support a variety of ethical positions, including natural law ethics, divine command ethics, and secular humanism.

  2. The argument is used to critique a variety of ethical positions, including utilitarianism, consequentialism, and relativism.

  3. The argument is used to provide a foundation for a universal moral code.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The Argument from Natural Law is used to support a variety of ethical positions, including natural law ethics, divine command ethics, and secular humanism. It is also used to critique a variety of ethical positions, including utilitarianism, consequentialism, and relativism. Additionally, the argument is used to provide a foundation for a universal moral code.

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