On the Eternal Law

COMPENDIUM

God created the whole universe for His own external glory. To attain this end, God must have created the universe according to a general plan involving all parts of the visible world — mineral, plant, animal, and man — working harmoniously together. This general plan is called God's Eternal Law, i.e. the plan of the Eternal Wisdom, accepted by the Eternal Will. God gives to each thing making up the universe a particular end to be attained, a perfection to be realized in accordance with its nature. By achieving this perfection, each fulfills its own particular end, and promotes at the same time the perfection and end of the whole universe. God, in creating them, created the various elements of the universe with a tendency by toward their own particular end — that is, He implanted in their nature or being a tendency by which they seek out and strive after their own end or perfection. The whole of these tendencies or strivings is a sharing is what is called the Eternal Law.

Not all created things share in the Eternal Law in the same way, however. Though all created things are subject to the Eternal Law as found in their nature, not all created things have the same nature. Some of those creatures have reason and free will. The manner in which the Eternal Law functions will not be identical for both irrational and rational creatures. The Eternal Law leads irrational creatures, i.e. brute beasts, plants, minerals, and the elements, to their end by physical necessity. They are directed and carried forward to the realization of their particular ends; they do what they must do. It is part of their nature they they are necessarily determined to their end, which they reach inevitably. The Eternal Law leads rational creatures to their end by moral obligation. Man is directed but not carried forward to his end. He has intellect and free will; he must pursue the end of his nature according to his nature — that is, he must freely choose what will lead him to his end. He can choose to act in accord with the Eternal Law, or he can go against it. The reflection of this Law in the reason of man is called the Natural Law — properly so called, as only a creature with free will can actually obey a law.

CATECHISM

47. What is the origin and source of law?

God's Eternal Law is the general plan according to which God created the universe for His own external glory.

48. Since the things that make up the universe are varied and of different natures, how can they fulfill a common purpose?

By achieving the end given to it by God, each created thing promotes the perfection and end of the whole universe.

49. How are the various elements of the universe connected with their particular ends?

Created things are connected with their particular ends through a God-given tendency, by which they share in what is called the Eternal Law.

50. Do all created things share in the Eternal Law in the same way?

No. Though all created things are subject to the Eternal Law as found in their nature, not all created things have the same nature, some being irrational, and some being rational and endowed with free will.

51. How does the Eternal Law lead irrational creatures to their end?

The Eternal Law leads irrational creatures to their end by physical necessity.

52. How does the Eternal Law lead rational creatures to their end?

The Eternal Law leads rational creatures to their end by moral obligation; the reflection of this Law in the reason of man is called the Natural Law.