Notes from Gathered for the Journey Six (6) essays David McCarthy

I. Why Natural Lawpp. 154 – 158Three Major Convictions about the WorldNatural law reasoning follows the impulse by ―confidence in these three basicconvictions:‖1. The world has a certain order to it2. Human beings can recognize the ordering of the world3. The order of the world is a good thing and should be maintained. (154)So, human nature matters when we‘re thinking of human actions.Open to all thinking persons—regardless of faith beliefsBottom line: ―Natural law, at its most basic level, is the impulse to give anaccount of the world and our place in it, and the belief that such an account willindicate the sorts of actions that might or might not lead to our flourishing.‖ (154)(Note: such a system of reasoning calls into question any assertion of a ―raw autonomy,‖or unbridled choice of the individual—freedom has its guideposts in the ―order of things,‖and reason can engage this inquiry. Cf. the Garden of Eden—failure to engage the moral―order of things‖)For a Christian, God is the source of this order (cf. Joseph Grcic‘s definition in the classnotes).Creation and God’s Plan for Our Good and our SalvationChristian scriptures reaffirm and deepen the sense that ―Nature is not simplynature, but is creation. The order of things is the work of God, and it is good.‖(155)The same God is the God who becomes flesh in Jesus—the God revealed ―in hislife, death, and resurrection is the same God who made the universe.‖―The God that Jesus reveals is the same God whose providence guides theuniverse.‖―Christians see continuity between God‘s saving action in Christ, God‘s savingaction in history of Israel, and God‘s action in the world more generally.‖ (155)Exitus et reditus Principle―God sets every creature on its course, giving each a nature and a purpose andcertain inward principles that move it to its goal.‖ (155)Note, the key is the doctrine of Divine Providence—the God whom Jesus revealsas noting even the sparrow‘s flight.Note the ―inward principles‖—the internal gyroscope, if your will, that sparks allmovement—and shapes the progress and growth. Perhaps the ancients‘ notion ofsoul.Dillon and McCarthy visit the notions of eternal law (see class notes) (156)Fundamental Moral Theology Page 36 of 54Class Notes – Father Michael Seger