Evaluating Natural LawEvaluating Natural Law

LO: I will give some strengths and weaknesses to Natural Law

Hmk: Wider Reading from Dialogue magazine, ‘Ethical Theory.’

Starter: What do you know about Natural law?

A review of Natural Law …A review of Natural Law …… From Oliphant – pg 23 - 29

Students will be given a section to read through, make summative notes, and feedback to the class.

Between the group, we should cover the whole chapter◦ What is Natural Moral Law? What are the origins? Pg 23-24◦ The Natural Law of Aquinas. The Purpose of human beings.

Pg 24-26◦ Natural inclinations. Real and Apparent goods. Interior and

Exterior acts. Pg 27◦ Primary and Secondary precepts. Doctrine of double effect.

Pg 28-29

TaskTaskWhat would Natural Law say about

homosexual acts, masturbation or sex with an infertile partner? Why?

This tied in with Aquinas’ view of what was needed for a civilised society (necessary to survive and flourish), so the acts above would have violated his primary precepts.

Primary and Secondary Primary and Secondary preceptspreceptsIn order to live in a civilised society

where people were free to survive and flourish, Aquinas came up with Five Primary Precepts.

To arrive at the secondary precepts you have to reason what would be an essential route towards this primary precept.

See the example of sex pg 103 of AS textbook

Evaluating Natural LawEvaluating Natural Law

a) Write a speech of at least 250 words EITHER arguing about the strengths of Natural Law OR its weaknesses. Your partner should argue the opposite case to yours. Use the textbooks to help.

b) Read your speech to your partner and allow them to question you. They should then read their speech to you and answer your questions

The Debate GameThe Debate Game

1. 1 Minute on what you think of the title, and why you are correct. (you will be given a view)

2. 30 seconds on why others are wrong.3. Ask a question to each group. (they will have ten

seconds to nominate a person and then respond)4. You will then have 1 minute to prepare your closing

statement.

RULES: 1.You will be scored on preparation, contribution, and quick thinking

2. Only one person may speak at one time. http://www.teachit.co.uk/custom_content/timer/timer.html

‘Natural Law is inadequate when it comes to making moral decisions.’

What examiners like to see in What examiners like to see in essaysessays It’s legible, clear, easy to read. Literacy levels

are of a high ability (includes spelling, punctuation and grammar).

Key terms, explained and used appropriately.Scholars mentioned, and accurately citedLinking sentences used throughoutFor evaluation, it is balanced giving BOTH

strengths and weaknessesEvaluation is successfully executed. E.g. Is it

coherent? Is it useful? Implications? Evidence that the student has a secure grasp of

the topic

Hot SeatingHot Seating

Randomly select pupils to answer the following 3 questions:

Give one explanation of NLOne strengthOne weakness