Compare and Contrast Natural Law Aquinas vs. Aristotle This essay will concentrate on compare the similarities, as well as differences between Aquinas and Aristotle’s idea of Natural Law. To understand their works, it is important to know Aquinas and Aristotle background. Aristotle was born in Stagira in 384 B.C. He later moved to Athens when he was seventeen and studied under Plato. As a result, Aristotle’s works and beliefs were influenced by Plato. Aquinas was born in 1225. He went to the University of Naples where he studied Aristotle’s writing. That being said, Aristotle has great influence on Aquinas’ theological philosophy. Aquinas and Aristotle seem to have same ideas but their beliefs of Natural Law theory have some similarities…show more content… Aristotle used the word “eudaimonia”, being successful in life, to convey his meaning of happiness. He think that ethic, knowledge (to know rights from wrongs, to do the right things) is required to achieve and maintain eudaimonia (the ultimate good/ highest human good/ happiness) which is the goal that all human actions and desires aiming to. On the other hand, Aquinas used the word “beatitude”, which prefers to happiness when man is in the presence of God. In the other words, Aquinas think that we can never achieve a final happiness. The final happiness can only be achieved in beatitude. That being said, humans not only need virtues but God to transform humans’ nature to achieve happiness. Aristotle believed natural law was grounded in humans, while Aquinas believed that it was God given/ sent by God, and apply to all objects, including human at all times. Regardless of their different belief, both Aquinas and Aristotle agreed that the end/final goal of man’s life is ultimate…show more content… For instant, Aristotle believes there are four causes to everything that exist in the world such as material cause, efficient cause, formal cause, and final cause. Aristotle believes there was a law written in nature which make one to act morally. He thinks final cause is the most important because it creates humans’ moral/ethical/goodness. If one could follow these laws, the moral/ethical/goodness will become a form of happiness which is an action that contribute toward eudemonia of society. Aquinas agreed with Aristotle’s Four Causes and he changed to something that more in theology in its terms. He stated that there were four channels of natural law such as human, natural, divine and eternal. Aquinas argued that God was the efficient cause and the final cause was the afterlife with God which give humans a reason to do what they do. In the other words, Aquinas believes that humans act lean towards the good; and eudemonia is a reward in heaven for good actions. God gives reason to help humans to act morally. In conclusion, Aquinas and Aristotle have many similar as well as different thoughts on the way how one should live his/her live. Especially when it comes to addressing the matter of Natural Law, Aristotle and Aquinas approach the topic in different way. Aristotle point out that humans must live a life of virtue accordance with reason to be able to achieve happiness, and that is
