Overview
- The Normativity of the Natural critically assesses natural law theory. It explores questions such as:
- Is there a universal human nature?
- Whose, or which, assumptions regarding human nature should guide our understanding of the basic goods that mark a flourishing human life?
- Why should nature, even human nature, be thought of as a moral boundary beyond which one must not trespass?
- What is the character of an adequate epistemology for coming to appreciate the deep nature of reality and what are its normative implications?
Part of the book series: Philosophical Studies in Contemporary Culture (PSCC, volume 16)
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Table of contents (13 chapters)
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Front Matter
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The Normativity of the Natural: Can Philosophers Pull Morality Out of the Magic Hat of Human Nature?
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Front Matter
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Thomistic Foundations: Natural Law Theory, Synderesis and Practical Reason
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Front Matter
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Human Goods and Human Flourishing: Revitalizing a Fallen Moral Culture
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Front Matter
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The Malleability of Human Nature
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Front Matter
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The Challenge of Deriving an Ought from an Is
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Front Matter
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Back Matter
Keywords
About this book
Western philosophy has long nurtured the hope to resolve moral controversies through reason; thereby to secure moral direction and human meaning without the need for a defining encounter with God or the transcendent. The expectation is for a moral rationality that is universal and able adequately to frame and guide the moral life. Moral and cultural unity was sought though philosophical reflection on human nature and the basic goods of a properly nurtured and virtuous life—that is, through appeal to what has come to be called the natural law.
The natural law addresses permissible moral choice through objective understandings of human nature and human goods. Persons are obligated to act in ways that are compatible with creating and integrating the basic human goods into their lives and the lives of others. Such goods provide the basis for practical reasoning about virtuous choices and immediate reasons for action. The goal is the making of rational choices in the pursuit of a virtuous, flourishing, human life. Natural law theorists have argued extensively against human cloning, abortion, and same-gender marriage.
Yet, whose assumptions regarding human nature should guide our understanding of the basic goods that mark the full flourishing human life? Moreover, why should nature, even human nature, be thought of as a moral boundary beyond which one must not trespass? Persons may wish actively to direct human evolution, utilizing the tools of both imagination and biotechnology. Perhaps nature is simply a challenge to be addressed, overcome, and set aside.
This volume is a critical exploration of natural law theory.
Editors and Affiliations
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: The Normativity of the Natural
Book Subtitle: Human Goods, Human Virtues, and Human Flourishing
Editors: Mark J. Cherry
Series Title: Philosophical Studies in Contemporary Culture
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-2301-8
Publisher: Springer Dordrecht
eBook Packages: Humanities, Social Sciences and Law, Philosophy and Religion (R0)
Copyright Information: Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2009
Hardcover ISBN: 978-90-481-2300-1Published: 08 June 2009
Softcover ISBN: 978-90-481-8487-3Published: 28 October 2010
eBook ISBN: 978-90-481-2301-8Published: 27 May 2009
Series ISSN: 0928-9518
Series E-ISSN: 2215-1753
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: X, 230
Topics: Ethics, Epistemology, Philosophy of Religion, Philosophy, general, Political Philosophy