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Marc Dillon & Nathan Woodard

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BBorn 1225 and died 1274 LLived in a society where the relationship of faith and reason was in question EEarly studies took place at Montecassino, and followed to the University of Naples, and completed his studies at the University of Paris CCatholic church regularly commends importance of his work

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Advocated Natural Law Natural law serves as a guide to become better people Natural law requires humans to exercise free will and reason Thomas Aquinas grounds his theory of natural law in the Gods Eternal law

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Aquinas contribution to Natural law is based on concepts that God is the natural giver of law and that humans as rational beings receive law. He distinguished between four types of law: natural, human, divine, and eternal law The idea for the governance of all things is by God through His eternal law

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Aquinas says we must refer to natural law to define human law Natural law is more perfect than human law Human law is the more specific application of Natural law When human law deviates from natural law, it is a perversion of law

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We are all subject to follow natural law because we are governed by God Natural law outlines the universally accepted principles such as prohibiting murder and being fair and equal to everybody Human law, or political law, is important for the particular aspects of natural law

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Natural law is a fundamental principle of ethics in roman catholic tradition The contemporary catholic understanding of natural law is using our reason and the principles of natural law in order to know what is right In contemporary jurisprudence natural laws can be discovered but not created Natural law was very important in the development in English common law, which has influenced Canadas legal system.