On the Natural Law

COMPENDIUM

Man is made aware of the Natural Law of his being by the light of reason. As the animal, by its natural instinct, perceives what is good for it, so man, by his reason, estimates what is conducive to his end, and is thus directed. Whether he accepts that direction and moves towards that end depends on his free will. Man's reason enables him to discover the law, but does not invent the law. Reason points out that the law is there in man's nature and what the law says; but it does not make the law; it only makes it known.

While it is generally accepted that it is the work of conscience to direct man to his end, it must be noted that conscience is not a faculty distinct from reason; it is reason, dictating to his will the moral obligation of doing or omitting a definite particular act after informing him of its lawfulness or unlawfulness.

The first obligation which the Natural Law imposes on man is the duty to do good and avoid evil, and to use his reason to learn what is good and what is evil. Man's perception of the law may be clouded or dimmed by ignorance, prejudice, or passion. Furthermore, since he is not born with perfect skill in the use of his reason, it requires some instruction and education. Man can set about discovering what is good or evil for him by considering his relations with his God, with himself, and with other creatures. He is related to God as creature to Creator, and depends on God for all that he is and all that he has. He is related to himself as having faculties or powers of soul and body which demand harmony of order among themselves. He is related to irrational creatures as steward to ward, such creatures being made for him and his use and being under his dominion. He is related to other rational creatures as fellow, bound by various social ties.

The Natural Law is universal in that it applies to all human beings. Individual men may sometimes be unable to use a particular faculty, but they do not cease to be men. They still have human nature, and it is in human nature that the Natural Law is founded. Human nature being common to all men, the Natural Law is universal, and therefore embraces infants, the feeble-minded, the physically defective, the incurable, and the insane.

The Natural Law contains three kinds of precepts, which are known as primary, secondary, and tertiary precepts. Primary precepts are general truths, perceived immediately, of which no man with the use of reason can be ignorant, e.g., good must be done, evil avoided. Secondary precepts are those easily deduced from the primary, e.g., children must honor parents. Men may be ignorant of these through carelessness, bad customs, or corrupt habits, but the ignorance is not without blame. Tertiary precepts are those less easily deduced from the first two classes, e.g., men must love their enemies. Of these, it is possible for men to be ignorant without blame.

The Natural Law cannot be changed by any human power. No one but the lawmaker can alter the Law. God created man, gave him his nature and his purpose. God wills that man attain his end by the law of his nature implanted within him. To attempt to change the Natural Law is to attempt to change the will of God. Neither does society have the power to change the Law. Though the State and the Church have authority from God to make laws, that authority only extends to the making of laws that recognize, harmonize with, and supplement the Natural. Any society which attempts to alter the Natural Law acts beyond its powers, violates man's nature, and sets itself up against the Divine Will.

Man can never escape from the binding force of Natural Law. It is founded in human nature, and is binding on every human being, whether that being approves of it or not. Man, therefore, cannot free himself from the Natural Law and its binding force. Man cannot change his human nature, nor set aside the Law of his own nature. He can neither suppress nor suspend the Natural Law. He cannot grant himself emancipation nor dispensation from the Natural Law. God is the author of man's nature and of the Law which governs it. Man himself is powerless to alter either or both.

If a man defies the Natural Law and acts against it, he does not destroy the Law, but, by breaking the Law of his nature, commits an offence against the Creator, for which he is answerable to the Creator, and for which he will be punished. An illustration from physical laws: Man is made up of a body and soul. Man, having a body which is material, is subject to the ordinary physical laws which govern all material things. One of these physical laws is that bodies left unsupported will fall downwards to the earth and not upwards. Now, if a man chooses to ignore or defy this law and steps off the roof of a house, he is picked up either damaged or a corpse. The law is not destroyed, but man himself suffers damage or destruction. Similarly, when man violates the Moral or Natural Law, he does not destroy the Law, but he himself suffers damage or punishment, which punishment will only be adequate at the end of man's life.

CATECHISM

53. How is man made aware of the Natural Law within himself which is to lead him to his end?

Man is made aware of the Natural Law by the light of reason.

54. Is it not generally accepted that it is the work of man's conscience to direct him to his end?

Yes. It is conscience which directs man, but conscience is not a faculty distinct from reason; it is reason, dictating practical judgments concerning the lawfulness or unlawfulness of definite particular acts.

55. What is the first obligation of the Natural Law as far as man is concerned?

The first obligation which the Natural Law imposes on man is the duty to do good and avoid evil, and to use his reason to learn what is good and what is evil.

56. How can man set about discovering what is good or evil for him?

By considering his relations with his God, with himself, and with other creatures.

57. Who are the subjects of the Natural Law?

The subjects of the Natural Law are all creatures possessing a rational nature - that is, all human beings.

58. What is the nature of the precepts contained in the Natural Law?

The Natural Law contains three kinds of precepts, which are known as primary, secondary, and tertiary precepts. The first are precepts perceived immediately ("Good must be done"); the second are precepts easily derived from these ("Children must honor their parents"); the third are precepts derivable from the first two, but with greater insight or effort ("Men must love their enemies").

59. Can any human power change the Natural Law?

No. The Natural Law cannot be changed by any human power, whether of individuals or of society.

60. Can man ever escape from the Natural Law?

No. Man can never escape from the binding force of Natural Law.

61. What happens if man chooses to ignore or defy the Natural Law, and acts against it?

If a man defies the Natural Law and acts against it, he does not destroy the Law, but, by breaking the Law of his nature, commits an offence against the Creator, for which he is answerable to the Creator, and for which he will be punished.