RELATIVISM, NATURAL LAW AND DIALOG IN SEARCH OF TRUTH: THE ROLE OF NATURAL INCLINATIONS

Authors

  • Amadeo Tonello Universidad del Norte Santo Tomás de Aquino

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15691/0718-5448Vol3Iss1a79

Keywords:

relativism, natural law, natural inclinations, good, virtue

Abstract

The present paper purports to highlight the importance of natural inclinations in the theory of knowledge of natural law. Inclinations, mentioned by Aquinas in I —II, 94, 2, are concrete forms of the will's original natural inclination to good. Said fundamental inclination of the will explains the normative character of the principles of practical reason. Inclinations converge in the apprehension of goods; therefore, when they are not actuated in the correct (i.e. virtuous) direction, certain precepts of natural law do not appear as immediately evident to all. This enables to understand: l) why natural law is not universally accepted and known equally by all men and cultures, and 2) how natural law can be the starting point for a fruitful dialog directed at the search for moral truth, a basic presupposition for human cohabitation.

References

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Published

2017-01-10

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2009)

Section

Research Articles

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How to Cite

Tonello, Amadeo. 2017. “RELATIVISM, NATURAL LAW AND DIALOG IN SEARCH OF TRUTH: THE ROLE OF NATURAL INCLINATIONS”. Síntesis. Philosophy Journal 3 (1). https://doi.org/10.15691/0718-5448Vol3Iss1a79.