Abstract

Thomas Aquinas called the idea of natural law as the most dynamic contemporary classical natural law theory, in order to complete his philosophical system to support its legal theory. Especially in the virtue ethics of the system construction, the "law" in the "natural law" or "natural moral law" as the first principle of human behavior, and is the principle objective of the external, and "habit" - in particular, is a good habit "virtue" - as the inner principle of human behavior can be said that understanding and interpretation of human sexual behavior and its wings right and wrong. In this paper, the "Summa Theologica" Chinese version of the sixth book of data, from Thomas Aquinas's virtue ethics system background proceeding against the "legal" definition of "natural law" is defined, "natural moral law," the content, and conscience, conscience, moral and intellectual relationship between the natural moral law and to clarify the similarities and differences resolved. Face the ethical challenges of post-modern, and finally look forward to the profound idea of natural law Thomas Aquinas Church and Christian scholars in the continuing efforts of both theory and practice to continue, expand and deepen, and enough to respond with concrete actions and practical guidance of life. Aquinas's thought of natural law can be reputed to be the most energetic theory of classical natural law in contemporary. His theories of law are supported by his complete system of philosophy. Especially in the construction of his system of virtue ethics, "natural law" or "natural moral law" and "habits" -especially the "virtue" of good habits-are the two major approaches to understand and interpret human acts along with their right and wrong, good and evil. This article, based on the sixth volume of the Chinese edition of Summa Theologica and setting out from the background of Aquinas's system of virtue ethics, analyzes and clarifies the definition of "law", the definition of "natural law", the content of "natural moral law" along with the similar and distinct relationships among Synderesis, conscience, prudentia and natural moral law. Finally, in face of all the ethical challenges in post-modem days, it is expected that Aquinas's wide-ranging and profound thought of natural law could be continued, expanded and deepened in its theory and practice by the persistent efforts of the Church and the Christian scholars in order to respond to and guide concrete acts and real life