Aquinas in Jail

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St. Thomas Aquinas – The Validity of the Natural Law Theory
The Validity of Martin Luther King Argument, concerns and demands
Are you persuaded by his appeal to Natural Law?
Why an appeal to natural law is not an appeal to conscience
To what is it an appeal?
Introduction
The Summa Theologiae is a philosophical argument and synthesis put forth by St. Thomas Aquinas to capture the fundamental ideas of the Natural Law Theory. Aquinas bases his analysis of the natural law by his understanding of God and the relationship between God and his creations. The natural law is strongly embedded in the eternal law where the latter comes from the intellect and the reason of God the creator. When examining whether there is one distinguishable form of eternal law, the philosopher observes one principle definition of all laws, a definition that overrides any other interpretation of law. He terms natural law (or eternal law) as a dictate of intellect and reason from the ruler to his subjects (Thomistic Philosophy 1). Nature and the character of the natural law stem from the reason and the intellect of the ruler. As such, what natural law seeks to attain is the proper functioning and conduct of the community that is ruled by a distinct ruler or authority. The natural law theory can, therefore, be seen as a document that seeks to enhance the character of governance from the State to the subjects (the people or citizens).
Martin Luther King in his struggle for social revolution constantly referred to the natural law based on his interpretation and understanding of Thomas Aquinas doctrine.

The validity of MLK argument is that it is based on the fact that all humans were created equal and it would be immoral or unfair to segregate people and individuals based on their ethnic, racial, or even religious affiliations. In his letter, King stated that an unjust law is not a law at all – and therefore people have a moral obligation to disobey such laws (Rychlak 2). The letter continued to argue that a just law conformed to the eternal law of God. King believed the American regime deviated significantly from the natural law (law of God) because the government and the State had strongly marginalized the people of color in virtually every platform; from healthcare to equal access to educational opportunities. One of the most pressing demands and concerns by Martin Luther King was to live in a society that appreciates the diversity of people, and it does not violate fundamental human rights by virtue of race and ethnicity. The validity of MLK can, therefore, be seen from Aquinas’ lens of philosophical imagination that ‘the dictate of reason is an idea of how things should be done in the society to enhance the well-ordered conduct and functioning of the society’ (Andrea 2).
Are you persuaded by the Appeal to Natural Law?
A closer analysis of the natural law reveals that it seeks to achieve one substantial objective; an equal and just society. Personally, I am convinced the natural law is there for the common good in that it limits the power of the authorities by requiring them to leverage measures and approaches of political governance that enhance the well-being of the society. Aquinas theory of natural law supported that the creator has direct responsibility for his creations and any established laws of reason should constantly seek to champion the welfare and well-being of the subjects. This is what Martin Luther King struggle for equality sought to achieve; a fair society where people are treated in a similar manner regardless of ethnic and racial backgrounds. As such I am convinced by King’s appeal to natural law because it reflects an appeal to an orderly and a well-functioning society.
Why an Appeal to Natural Law is not an Appeal to Conscious
A request of the enactment of natural law is a plea that seeks to shape the society in a way that it treats citizens equal, with fairness, and awards opportunities and privileges without bias or prejudice. While an appeal to natural law seeks to achieve the needs of the community collectively, that of conscious varies from one person to the other. Therefore an appeal to natural law is collective while that of conscious is individualistic in the sense that the conscious of people differ to a greater extent. While an appeal to conscious may satisfy people and individuals differently, an appeal to natural law sought to achieve a balanced and ordered society where there is no discrimination or oppression from the State to the subjects. As such, Martin Luther King appeal to natural law after being incarcerated in a Birmingham prison comes from breaking a law that does not make champion for an orderly and fair society; an unjust law (Thomistic Philosophy 3). It was a move that conformed perfectly to Aquinas philosophical doctrine and which sought to change the system of governance to ensure a balanced society – by demanding equality by the American regime to the people of color.
Works Cited
Andrea, T. The Natural Law Theory of St. Thomas Aquinas. The University of Cambridge Official. 2016. Source http://www.nlnrac.org/classical/aquinasRychlak, R. Natural Law from a Birmingham Jail. The Catholic Education Resource Center. 2011. Source http://www.catholiceducation.org/en/controversy/common-misconceptions/natural-law-from-a-birmingham-jail.htmlThomistic Philosophy. Thomistic Philosophy Page: St. Thomas Aquinas on the Natural Law. 2015. Source http://www.aquinasonline.com/Topics/natlaw.html