Concerning compatibility of free will with Divine Providence, Augustine argues that God has advance knowledge of our potential choices, not of our actions, and react depending on what that choice will be. In this way, God leaves us with our free will and the personal responsibility that comes with it. We can consult God through prayer to help us choose rightly, or choose to do evil. In the latter case, we will be fully responsible for the consequences that may result.
Inspired by Augustine’s doctribe of ‘faith seeking understanding’, Anselm of Canterbury (1033–1109) sought to explore its second part – understanding faith- by attempting to prove the existence of God. In doing so, he developed his famous ontological argument, inspired by the intuition that derived from Plato’s idea of the ultimate …show more content…
Natural law sets forth the general standards of conduct, prohibiting or commanding certain actions. Natural law includes norms against behaviours such as stealing, murder, or slander. As described by Aquinas, the most general prescription of natural law is that “good is to be done, and evil is to be avoided”. To follow this principle means to act consistently with six ‘human inclinations’: (1) preserve human life, (2) have heterosexual intercourse, (3) educate your children, (4) shun ignorance, (5) worship God, and (6) avoid harming others. Natural law is subject to further specification in the written law and morals, or human law. For example, the general principle of not harming others might mean ‘do not take the property of another person without their permission”, or “do not lie”. These principles could be further specified: “do not fare-dodge”, or “do not cheat on your taxes”. Human law must conform with the principles of natural law, otherwise it will become a ‘perversion of the
Inspired by Augustine’s doctribe of ‘faith seeking understanding’, Anselm of Canterbury (1033–1109) sought to explore its second part – understanding faith- by attempting to prove the existence of God. In doing so, he developed his famous ontological argument, inspired by the intuition that derived from Plato’s idea of the ultimate …show more content…
Natural law sets forth the general standards of conduct, prohibiting or commanding certain actions. Natural law includes norms against behaviours such as stealing, murder, or slander. As described by Aquinas, the most general prescription of natural law is that “good is to be done, and evil is to be avoided”. To follow this principle means to act consistently with six ‘human inclinations’: (1) preserve human life, (2) have heterosexual intercourse, (3) educate your children, (4) shun ignorance, (5) worship God, and (6) avoid harming others. Natural law is subject to further specification in the written law and morals, or human law. For example, the general principle of not harming others might mean ‘do not take the property of another person without their permission”, or “do not lie”. These principles could be further specified: “do not fare-dodge”, or “do not cheat on your taxes”. Human law must conform with the principles of natural law, otherwise it will become a ‘perversion of the