What is a good basic introduction to Natural Law

atassina · #1 Jul 16, '12, 5:30 pm

What is a good basic introduction to the natural law? Natural Law for dummies? How about something by Peter Kreeft? How about some really old textbook that is a classic in its field because it is clear, comprehensible and simple?

sw85 · #2 Jul 16, '12, 5:38 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by atassina

What is a good basic introduction to the natural law? Natural Law for dummies? How about something by Peter Kreeft? How about some really old textbook that is a classic in its field because it is clear, comprehensible and simple?

Hands down, one of Edward Feser's books, either The Last Superstition or Aquinas.

atassina · #3 Jul 16, '12, 9:30 pm

Isn't the Last Superstition a book about atheism?

yinekka · #4 Jul 16, '12, 9:38 pm

A good basic introduction to Natural Law would be Charles Rice's 50 Questions on the Natural Law

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/tar..._target_device

It is also sold by Ignatius Press

Another is J. Budziszewski Written on the Heart: the Case For Natural Law
http://www.amazon.com/Written-Heart-...n%27t+not+know

atassina · #5 Jul 16, '12, 9:54 pm

Thanks, this is helpful. I'm getting into conversations during which I realize that my gun is firing too many blanks. I need to educate myself on the natural law.

sw85 · #6 Jul 17, '12, 5:37 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by atassina

Isn't the Last Superstition a book about atheism?

It's billed as a refutation of atheism, but it includes a detailed discussion of (and refutation of objections to) not just natural theology but also natural law ethics.

The Last Superstition has a more polemical, layman style. Aquinas is more academic, and so a little more detailed. Which you prefer is up to you -- they're both excellent resources.

atassina · #7 Jul 17, '12, 9:03 am

Thanks for your reply. Let's keep fighting against the creeping darkness.
Anthony
4th Degree Knight of Columbus

Linusthe2nd · #8 Jul 17, '12, 10:48 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by atassina

What is a good basic introduction to the natural law? Natural Law for dummies? How about something by Peter Kreeft? How about some really old textbook that is a classic in its field because it is clear, comprehensible and simple?

High on the list would have to be Right and Reason by Fr. Austin Fagothey S.J.. It can be found in many places online and your local Catholic Bookstore may carry it. It has been around for at least 60 years and has been used in Catholic Colleges and Universities for at least that long. You can probably find a cheap used copy on E-Bay or some place like that. The next source would be the Catechism of the Catholic Church since most of the Commandments are just restatements of Natural Law. By the way Natural Law is not Church teaching since views on natural law per se are open to debate, where as The Churches moral teaching is not open to debate. So while studying Ethics based on Natural Law keep that in mind.

atassina · #9 Jul 17, '12, 11:00 am

Thanks Linus,
I didn't mention it earlier, but I was clandestinely thinking that I need a way to talk to secularists. This means reason and not faith is the mode of operation. From what I have seen, many secularists talk from emotion and relativism.

greylorn · #10 Jul 17, '12, 11:44 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by atassina

What is a good basic introduction to the natural law? Natural Law for dummies? How about something by Peter Kreeft? How about some really old textbook that is a classic in its field because it is clear, comprehensible and simple?

I don't suppose that you'd consider Issac Newton's, Principia Mathematica?

It fits all of your requirements. It is truly fundamental, for it explains his newly invented calculus to those whose mathematical knowledge had been limited to algebra and analytic geometry, and explains the fundamental laws of physics to those who had never taken a physics course, since none had been invented yet.

All these subjects are accessible today, on the internet in modernized and simplified forms, to honest students who are willing to put in their time and thought. None are accessible to lazy, tedious people who think that they can read a short book and magically develop understanding.

jochoa · #11 Jul 18, '12, 8:12 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by atassina

What is a good basic introduction to the natural law? Natural Law for dummies?

Here are some concepts to ponder:

To Live, one must will in oneness with the Greatest Commandments of Jesus Christ.

Where...
Living is experiencing happiness without losing any peace (free from disturbance) in any relationship.
&
The Greatest Commandments are: Freely being and spreading the means to freely be perfectly patient, kind, and motivated with all the body, spirit, thoughts, and will equally towards others and the self.
&
Spirit is defined as image, knowledge, and past-actions.

and to evaluate practice of Natural Law, recognize...
The body feels, the thoughts think, the will acts, and the spirit influences thoughts, feelings, and actions.

Therefore, if your feelings or thoughts are disturbed or your actions or influences are causing disturbance, then there is greater patience, kindness, and/or motivation to be learned and practiced.

Thanks for the excellent question!

Linusthe2nd · #12 Jul 23, '12, 12:35 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by atassina

Thanks Linus,
I didn't mention it earlier, but I was clandestinely thinking that I need a way to talk to secularists. This means reason and not faith is the mode of operation. From what I have seen, many secularists talk from emotion and relativism.

Try this. http://www.faithandreason.com/

and this. http://magisreasonfaith.org/

I think St. Paul made more since "...preach Christ and Him cruxcified..."

I don't know the situation you are in but there are plenty of " secularists " on the philosophy forum. Do you think any of them are beginning to see the light? I think not. So much for the philosophical approach. Yes, be ready to supply reasons based on natural law and philosophy but the life of faith lived properly is more persuasive.