In Catholicism, what is the difference between Natural Law and Divine Law?
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In Catholic understanding, there is a [divine law](http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09071a.htm) and a [natural law](http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09076a.htm) . Based on my reading, it seems like Divine Law = Revelation (as a Protestant would call it) and Natural Law = what you could deduce about right and wrong simply by using Reason to extrapolate the consequences of the act.
Thus, the 10 Commandments are first natural law (because you can figure out pretty easily that killing is bad), but then are also articulated by God. Does it then become Divine Law? Is it "also Divine Law" or "no longer Natural Law, just Divine?"
Are these categories supposed to exclusive? Is divine law higher than natural law?
Ultimately, what is the difference?
Asked by Affable Geek
(64310 rep)
Jan 30, 2012, 07:21 PM
Last activity: Jan 15, 2018, 04:52 AM
Last activity: Jan 15, 2018, 04:52 AM