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Connatural Knowledge of the Natural Law  Cover
Open Access
|Oct 2023

Abstract

This paper traces the basic contours of Aquinas’s account of connatural knowledge in order to see what role (if any) connaturality might play in our knowledge of the precepts of the natural law. It engages a dispute between Maritain and Doolan on this topic. After considering what Aquinas means by “connaturality” in general the paper examines the main elements of his view of knowledge by connaturality in particular. I argue that the true doctrine of Aquinas probably lies between Maritain and Doolan’s opposed interpretations. Although it is not the only way of doing so, connaturality or inclination would still seem to be one possible way of knowing the natural law, while the use of reason is another.

Language: English
Page range: 21 - 43
Submitted on: Nov 15, 2022
Accepted on: May 30, 2023
Published on: Oct 30, 2023
Published by: Thomas Institute of Utrecht
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 1 issue per year

© 2023 Turner C. Nevitt, published by Thomas Institute of Utrecht
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.