Aquinas and Mill
According to Aquinas, the law is a specific rule and measure of acts whereby man is induced to act or has a restriction of action. Law has a vital relation to reason primarily to divine purpose followed by human right when it works correctly concerning measure and rule of human activity derived from reasoning. Its originality governs law to the good, mostly in common or universal good. This law is not a private entity as it targets the whole population in a community. The law, therefore, applies to those who are targeted. There are four types of law, namely, Eternal law, Natural law, Human law, and Devine law.
Eternal Law
This law has God’s mind, and it is seen in the similar magnitude that God himself is seeing it. God essentially is the creator of the whole universe and reigns over it in the same way a rule takes charge of a community. When the reasoning of God is accounted for, and we understand that law, then its nature is unchangeable, and it is eternal. This law is and has been in existence and will exist for eternity.
Natural Law
According to Aquinas, the reason is what distinguishes us from animals and objects. What is right is done regarding how human reasons. If humans, therefore, humans act exactly with purpose, then they are partaking in the natural law. They include apprehension of general principles, including pursuing and doing good and avoiding evil.
Human Law
There is a close correlation between natural law and human law. In every general and indemonstrable principles, that human reasoning tends to particular determinations of the laws. This specific determination, which is dictated by human reason, is referred to as human law. Therefore, natural law is required to determine human law.
Devine Law
These are the laws which are historic to human and derived from eternal laws which are primarily through revelation as commands. It consists of the Old and the New law, which correspond to one another. The Old Law is mainly the Ten Commandments, and the New Law is the teachings of Jesus.
According to Aquinas, Natural law theory contains four types of laws: Eternal Law, Natural law, Human Law, and Devine Law. All these laws draw relation to one another by Eternal Law. The natural law theory says that every human is born having a natural law. It helps every individual to comprehend and grasp principles intellectually. The natural law, in principle, gives the sense that right should be practiced and pursued and avoid all manner of evil—the preservation of human life and avoiding what is wrong. By adhering to this, it forms the basis of a well-established principle of decision making. Every right action, which is moral and legal rule enhances the preservation of human life. Aquinas explains that according to natural law, sex should be exclusive for procreation and conservation of species. He also has a strong belief that something is rendered good provided it fulfills the intended purpose. Natural law by precept does not generate the rule of external nature but rather which are written but rather by virtue of one being rational. The natural law therefor makes human to always practice “common good” which entirely include protecting and preserving human life, reproduce and teach offspring’s, knowledge of God and worshipping him and dwelling within a society. Humans are free, and they are guided in finding the right path. This right path is discovered through reasoning, which in turn will lead to the natural law that enables one to participate in the purpose of God for eternal law. Though human does what is wrong, the natural law acts as a corrective measure to do what is right, real goods. Besides the goodness of humanity, the sinful nature enables one to practice rational reflection. Therefore, this brings in need of revealed guidance brought by the Devine Law, which eventually leads to morality.
According to Mill, the Utilitarian concept is the foundation of morals. It states that all actions are acceptable proportionately as they tend to promote all human happiness. He focuses much on the outcome of the works and not on the rights and ethical ideas. On the contrary, his utilitarian principle is based on the evaluation of actions regarding their consequences and the promotion of happiness. The rational values are instead, the overall happiness generated for all individuals impacted by the act. He further alluded to the fact that satisfaction is associated with pleasure without pain.
The objection of Mill’s “doctrine worthy of swine” sparked critics because utilitarianism displayed the degrading view of human life. It gives the opinion to pursue a life of equal magnitude to that of a swine. The critics say it is unethical and degrading to reduce the goal of humanity to pleasure. According to Mill, had the presumption that theory of utility sums life with no other good but enjoyment. It was rejected, and it was considered demeaning and entirely rude.
In his response, Mill argues that all human pleasures are primarily preferred to animal pleasure. Alternatively, when human is keen on more advanced capabilities, we will never be satisfied to abandon them; therefore, by applying unique human capabilities, we will then get happiness. As a way of proving his argument, he gave an analogy of mutating humans into animals and experience every pleasure of the animals. Most people will not accept the mutation but rather prefer to maintain any unique human pleasure than to enjoy the bountiful comfort of animals. It tends to confirm that some pleasures are more important than others. Therefore, in ethical prospects of any behavior, utilitarianism considers both the qualitative and quantitative aspects of any pleasure arising from behaviors.