Acting in Conscience A Natural Law Based Approach to Freedom of Conscience
Date
2023-05-02
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
0009-0008-7668-0061
Type
Thesis
Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
The relationship between the authority of conscience and the authority of the state is a perennial issue in both political and ethical philosophy. The extreme emphasis on the authority of the state or conscience leads to the undermining of a free society. This thesis will explore the issues at play in this interaction from the perspective of natural law by exploring the proper domain and orientation of each sphere of authority. It will then demonstrate how the application of natural law principles offers a practical solution to the fraught issue of conscientious objection in a medical context. The solution that the application of natural law offers to this social issue properly respects the freedom of conscience necessary for a free society while allowing for the reasonable limits that governments need to maintain and enact the legal order necessary for a society.
Description
Keywords
Natural Law, Conscience, Law, Medical Ethics, Political, Abortion, Euthanasia
Citation
Degree
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Department
Philosophy
Program
Philosophy