<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<p>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.  </p>
</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.

Connatural Knowledge of the Natural Law 

European Journal for the Study of Thomas Aquinas

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"Connatural Knowledge of the Natural Law"}

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...

Connatural Knowledge of the Natural Law

Published Online: Oct 30, 2023

Page range: 21 - 43

Received: Nov 15, 2022

Accepted: May 30, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ejsta-2023-0002

Keywords
Jacques Maritain, natural law, connaturality

© 2023 Turner C. Nevitt, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Connatural Knowledge of the Natural Law

Published Online: Oct 30, 2023

Page range: 21 - 43

Received: Nov 15, 2022

Accepted: May 30, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ejsta-2023-0002

KeywordsJacques Maritain, natural law, connaturality

© 2023 Turner C. Nevitt, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
Jacques Maritain, natural law, connaturality