What Can the Blues Brothers Teach Us About the Common Good? A Primer on Thomas Aquinas' Philosophy of Natural Law

Abstract

Loyola University New Orleans College of Law has dedicated the Summer 2014 edition of its Law Review to the "Natural Law." This paper aims to provide for lawyers and students of civil law a rudimentary introduction to natural law theory. Expressed very simply, the theory of natural law holds that everything has a purpose and is directed towards an ultimate goal or telos. Everything has its telos fixed in its nature, and everything acts according to its nature. Human nature is unique because it includes the ability to "reason." Through reason, humans may discern an immediate response to an immediate problem. Reason also allows humans to discern which of the array of possible responses is best directed towards fulfilling humankind's ultimate purpose. When an individual or society orders itself according to the fundamental standards that are best directed towards fulfilling humankind's ultimate purpose, that individual or society is living the natural law.