ethics

1. THE ESSENCE
AND VARIETIES
OF LAW
REPORTER:
RENIE LYNN MALINAO

2. Objectives:
Attheendofthediscussion, studentscanbeable to;
a) understand the essence and varieties of law,
b) distinguish four kinds of law: (1) eternal law; (2)
natural law; (3) human law; and (4) divine law,
c) explain the varieties of law.

3. THEESSENCEAND VARIETIES OFLAW
• ESSENCE
• As rational beings, men have free will,
through our capacity for reason, we are able
to judge between possibilities and to choose
to direct our actions in one way or the other.
• Our actions are directed toward attaining
ends or goods that we desire.

4. THEESSENCEANDVARIETIES OFLAW
ESSENCE
We act in pursuit of our own end or good
with regard for other people’s ends or good.
Since we are not an isolated being, that is we
belong in a community, we consider what is
good for the community as well as our own
good. This is called the Common Good.

5. THEESSENCEANDVARIETIESOFLAW
ESSENCE
The determination of the proper measure of
our acts can be related to as law. A law is
considered with the common good. A law is
necessary to be communication to the people
involved in order to enforce them and better
ensure compliance. This is referred to as
promulgation.

6. THEESSENCEANDVARIETIES OFLAW
VARIETIES
Eternal Law is the Divine Wisdom of God which
oversees the common good and governs
everything. Eternal law is God’s plan to lead all creation
towards God’s eternal salvific plan to be holy and
blameless before Him through Jesus Christ (Ephesians
1:4–5). God, as “Being-itself”, is able to promulgate such
a law as God the Creator’s reason is also perfect wisdom.
Everything in nature reflects the Eternal Law in their
own natures. Things act according to their nature, so
they derive their proper ends (final cause) according to
the law written into their nature.

7. THEESSENCEANDVARIETIES OFLAW
VARITIES
Divine Law is the historical laws of
Scripture given to us through God’s self-
revelation. Divine law is divided into the Old Law
and the New Law, which correspond to the Old
and New Testaments of the Bible. The Old Law,
revealed by God to Moses, “is the first stage of
revealed Law. Its moral prescriptions are summed
up in the Ten Commandments” (CCC 1962). It
has an extrinsic focus — motivated by fear — and
promises earthly rewards (such as social peace).It
expresses immediate conclusions of the natural
moral law.

8. THEESSENCEANDVARIETIES OFLAW
VARIETIES
Natural law is a philosophical theory that states
that humans have certain rights, moral values, and
responsibilities that are inherent in human nature.
Natural law theory is based on the idea that natural
laws are universal concepts and are not based on any
culture or customs. Still, it is a way society acts
naturally and inherently as human beings.

9. THEESSENCEANDVARIETIES OFLAW
VARIETIES
Human law refers to instance wherein human
beings construct and enforce laws in their
communities. Human law needs to be assessed
in its validity or invalidity; whether or not it
conforms to the natural law.

10. ENDOFDISCUSSION
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