What is Aquinas's concept of natural law?
Natural law, as I understand it, is the participation of the eternal law in rational creatures. It is imprinted in our nature, guiding us towards good and away from evil. By discerning our natural inclinations – to self-preservation, procreation and education of offspring, and the pursuit of knowledge and the good society – we can understand fundamental moral precepts. Reason, therefore, apprehends these principles, making them accessible to all human beings, irrespective of specific divine revelations.
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