<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

Publié en ligne: 30 oct. 2023

Pages: 21 - 43

Reçu: 15 nov. 2022

Accepté: 30 mai 2023

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

Mots clés
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

Publié en ligne: 30 oct. 2023

Pages: 21 - 43

Reçu: 15 nov. 2022

Accepté: 30 mai 2023

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

Mots clésJacques 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.

Mots clés
Jacques Maritain, natural law, connaturality