John Finnis developed his theory of natural law based on the structure

Question

John Finnis developed his theory of natural law based on the structure that Thomas Aquinas provided, filling in areas where he felt that Aquinas’s theory was lacking; he also amended other aspects of the theory to respond to a world much more culturally diverse than the one in which Aquinas lived. Unlike Aquinas, who gives only a vague account of the first precepts of the natural law, Finnis locates a specific number of basic human goods. Finnis avoids the charge that his theory falls into the “naturalistic fallacy” by asserting that these goods are not moral in themselves but become moral through human participation in them. In addition, these goods are not hierarchical, which allows a much greater range of freedom in choosing actions. Finally, Finnis’s theory does not require the presence of God. Though curiosity about the nature of the universe is one of his basic human goods, the actual existence of God is not required by his theory.
 
Finnis’s theory raises as many questions as it answers. While formulating an interesting answer to the “is/ought” problem and giving a much more robust definition of human volition than Aquinas, his solutions create their own problems. His account of the goods is stripped of any method for evaluation. The boundaries of each good are difficult to discern. Further, by asserting that each good is self-evident and equal to all the others, Finnis makes any action taken in furtherance of any of them equivalent morally. Finally, by removing the precepts of natural law from our natural habits and inclinations, placing them instead in self-evident goods, Finnis seems not to be describing our nature at all.   1 
 1. Based on the passage, what is the most likely meaning of “good” according to Finnis?

A. A physical object, such as foodstuffs or textiles 
B. A morally correct action as determined by God 
C. An action that helps us achieve a desirable, material end 
D. Something self-evident that we ought to strive to embrace 
E. Something that is naturally occurring

2 
 2. Based on the passage, the existence of which of the following would most likely undermine Finnis’s definition of “goods”?

A. Proof of the existence of God 
B. Goods that demand opposing actions 
C. The demands of our natural desires 
D. The definition of additional goods 
E. A method for evaluating goods

3 
  Consider each of the choices separately and select all that apply.  
 
 3. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT an improvement of Finnis’s theory of natural law over Aquinas’s?

A. Avoiding the “naturalistic fallacy” 
B. Removing the necessity of God in his definition of “good” 
C. Curtailing freedom in human actions

Rohit1988 · Answer

For question2 why is E not the correct answer. "Choice E. A method for evaluating goods".. The passage clearly mentions - "His solutions create their own problems. His account of the goods is stripped of any method for evaluation"

Sajjad1994 · Answer

OE

2. Based on the passage, the existence of which of the following would most likely undermine Finnis’s definition of “goods”?

Explanation

The passage mentions that Finnis's theory locates a specific number of basic human goods and asserts that these goods are self-evident and equal to each other. It also states that Finnis's theory allows for a greater range of freedom in choosing actions because these goods are not hierarchical. However, the passage also highlights several problems with Finnis's theory. It states that his account of the goods lacks a method for evaluation, the boundaries of each good are difficult to discern, and any action taken in furtherance of any good is considered morally equivalent.

Given this information, the existence of goods that demand opposing actions (option B) would indeed undermine Finnis's definition of goods. If there are goods that inherently require contradictory or opposing actions, it would create a conflict within Finnis's theory. Since Finnis asserts that each good is self-evident and equal, the existence of conflicting goods would undermine the notion of moral equivalence and the ability to freely choose actions based on these goods.

Therefore, in this context, option B -  "Goods that demand opposing actions"  - is the most likely answer choice that would undermine Finnis's definition of goods, as it introduces a fundamental contradiction within his theory.

Answer: B

Sajjad1994 · Answer

OE

1. Based on the passage, what is the most likely meaning of “good” according to Finnis?

Remember, even in weighty passages like these, all the information that you need is in the text.  (A)  a physical object is not the right answer because the passage is talking about natural law and human behavior.

You can also  eliminate (B)  a morally correct action as determined by God because the passage specifies that  “Finnis’s theory does not require the presence of God.”

(C)  action that helps us achieve a desirable, material end can be rejected for the same reason as  (A) .

Furthermore, you are given an example of one basic human good, according to Finnis: curiosity about the nature of the universe.  (D)  something self-evident that we ought to strive to embrace is supported by the text both in the phrase “each good is self-evident” and Finnis’s example of how something is made good by human participation.

(E)  what is naturally occurring could only be a reasonable possibility based on the repeated usage of the term “natural”; however, “natural law” is a metaphysical concept, so  (E)  is also incorrect.

Answer: D

Sajjad1994 · Answer

OE

3. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT an improvement of Finnis’s theory of natural law over Aquinas’s?  
 
This is a fairly straightforward Reading Comprehension question. It does not require us to make any inferences from the text, just give the text a careful reading to determine whether each answer choice is referred to (and they all are).

(A)  and  (B)  are both listed explicitly under the adaptations Finnis made to strengthen Aquinas’s argument, so you can dismiss them.  (C) , our only remaining option, is correct, as its opposite is one of the adaptations. 
 
  Answer: C

John Finnis developed his theory of natural law based on the structure

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