St. Thomas Aquinas and John Locke on Natural Law

• Authors: Ginna M. Pennance-Acevedo
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

John Locke’s natural law theory has frequently been conceived as a continuation of the Thomistic tradition and as sound basis for human rights as universally binding. This paper concludes that this is not the case. Unlike Aquinas’ metaphysical realism, Locke’s empiricism and nominalism make it impossible for us to know our human nature, our exclusively human goods, and telos—thereby undermining the sound foundations of the exceptionless moral precepts of natural law. Whereas Aquinas defines the good as that which is perfective and fulfilling of human nature, Locke identifies the good with pleasure, which leads to subjectivism. While both Aquinas and Locke argue that God is the origin and foundation of the binding force of natural law, Locke’s voluntarism is incompatible with the ruling nature of law. Consequently, unlike Aquinas, Locke’s theory lacks the metaphysical foundations for universal human rights.

Keywords

EN

St. Thomas Aquinas; John Locke; natural law; human rights; moral philosophy; subjectivism; hedonism

• Publisher: International Étienne Gilson Society
• Journal: Studia Gilsoniana
• Year: 2017
• Volume: 6
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 221-248

Dates

published

2017-06-30

Contributors

author

Ginna M. Pennance-Acevedo

• Holy Apostles College and Seminary, Cromwell, CT, USA

References

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Identifiers

ISSN

2300-0066