The document discusses the essence and varieties of law. It defines law as the determination of proper measures of acts that concern the common good and must be communicated to ensure compliance. It also describes four types of law: eternal law as divine wisdom directing creation; human law constructed by humans; natural law as rational creatures participating in eternal law; and divine law perceived as coming from a transcendent source like god.

1. THE ESSENCE AND VARIETY OF
LAW
“The whole work of creation as
divine reason governing a community
toward its end and how their acts
are to lead them to their end shall
be thought of in terms of law.”

2. ESSENCE
❖ As rational beings, men have free will, through our capacity for
reason, we are able to judge between possibilities and to choose
to direct our actions in one way or the other.
❖ We act as in pursuit of our own end or good with regard for
other people’s ends or good. Since we are not isolated being,
that is we belong in a community, as well as our own good.
This is called ‘COMMON GOOD.’

3. ESSENCE
❖ The determination of the proper measure of our acts can be
referred to as law.
❖ A law is concerned with the common good.
❖ A law is necessary to be communicated to the people
involved in order to enforce them and better ensure
compliance. This is referred to as promulgation.

4. VARIETIES
❖ Eternal Law is an assertion that the divine wisdom that directs each being
towards its prosper end. It refers to what God wills for creation and how each
participants is intended to return to Him.
❖ Human law refers to instances wherein human beings construct and enforce
laws in their communities
❖ Natural law refers to the rational creatures participations in Eternal law.
❖ Divine law is any body of law that is perceived as deriving from a
transcendent source, such as the will of God or gods – in contrast to man-
made law