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23179
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People differ in their social degrees, and a particular type of right applies to each [Aquinas]
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Full Idea:
There are many differences of degrees among men, for instance, some are soldiers, some are priests, some are princes. Therefore some special kind of right should be alloted to them.
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From:
Thomas Aquinas (Summa Theologicae [1265], II-II Q57 4)
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A reaction:
An objection (3), but Aquinas endorses it in his reply. In 58.10 he says striking a prince is worse that striking a commoner. The shift to the idea that everyone is supposed to be equal before the law has been slow, and we are not quite there yet.
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22114
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Tyrannical laws are irrational, and so not really laws [Aquinas]
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Full Idea:
A tyrannical law, since it is not in accord with reason, is not unconditionally a law, but is rather a perversion of law.
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From:
Thomas Aquinas (Summa Theologicae [1265], Ia IIae.Q92.1, ad 4), quoted by Kretzmann/Stump - Aquinas, Thomas 13
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A reaction:
Only a belief in natural law can give a basis for such a claim. Positivists will say a tyrannical law is unconditionally a law like any other, but a bad one.
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22113
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Right and wrong actions pertain to natural law, as perceived by practical reason [Aquinas]
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Full Idea:
All things to be done or to be avoided pertain to the precepts of natural law, which practical reasoning apprehends naturally as being human goods.
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From:
Thomas Aquinas (Summa Theologicae [1265], Ia IIae.Q94.2c), quoted by Kretzmann/Stump - Aquinas, Thomas 13
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A reaction:
No mention of God, but you feel the divine presence in the background. He also cites 'eternal law'. No coincidence that the atheist Hobbes rejected natural law. Personally I would offer an atheistic defence of natural law, based on human nature.
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7291
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For Aquinas a war must be in a just cause, have proper authority, and aim at good [Aquinas, by Grayling]
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Full Idea:
Aquinas argued that on three conditions war can be justified: first, that there is a just cause; second, that it is begun on proper authority; and third, that it is waged with right intention, for 'the advancement of good, or the avoidance of evil'.
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From:
report of Thomas Aquinas (Summa Theologicae [1265], II) by A.C. Grayling - Among the Dead Cities Ch.6
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A reaction:
But see also Idea 7292. Nowadays we are rightly suspicious of all three conditions. Evil people seem to think their cause is just; authority has often been seized by violence, or is being abused; and people seem confused about what is good or evil.
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5508
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Aquinas says a fertilized egg is not human, and has no immortal soul [Aquinas, by Martin/Barresi]
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Full Idea:
In Aquinas's view the fertilized egg is not, either at the moment of conception or for quite a while afterwards, endowed with an immortal soul. In fact, technically speaking, it is not even human.
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From:
report of Thomas Aquinas (Summa Theologicae [1265]) by R Martin / J Barresi - Introduction to 'Personal Identity' p.20
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A reaction:
It is pointed at that therefore Aquinas does not give good support for modern Catholic views on abortion. There is certainly no reason why a human zygote should be ensouled from the start, as God may do this whenever He wishes.
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