In the Summa Theologiae of Thomas Aquinas, he recognizes four types of law. These four types of laws include eternal law, divine law, natural law, and human law. If they were to be arranged in a hierarchy, the eternal wound would be in first place, then the divine, the natural and the human. Aquinas's theory of natural law is linked to his conception of the "great chain of being". This is the moral classification of beings, the natural order of society. God is placed high, followed by man; which are ranked from kings to lords to servants, followed by non-human animals and plants. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay This was a traditional view and structure of the world. Eternal law refers to the laws that govern the nature of the universe. Eternal law states that the entire universe is governed by divine reason and that everything is governed by God, the ruler of the universe. This is identified as not distinct from the mind of God, but as the reflection of God in his own mind. God's supreme reason is immutable and therefore eternal. Since God is the supreme ruler, it stands to reason that He is the supreme creator of law. Divine law derives from the eternal Law and is made knowable by the revelation of human thought. Since divine law originated from eternal law, it was spread to men through writings or word of mouth. According to Thomas Aquinas, divine law is necessary to lead man to the fulfillment of his purpose. Divine law is divided into New Law and Old Law, as they correspond to the testaments of the Bible. Thomas Aquinas believes that it is necessary to have divine law because, as he states, "it is by the law that man is directed to carry out his proper acts with a view to his ultimate end". Human judgment is incomplete and cannot reason about law, justice and morality only starting from nature and society. For Thomas Aquinas, natural law is based on reason. Natural law can be understood by reflecting on the nature of God's purpose in creating man. Since all things are made by God, they possess a purpose since God does not create things without purpose. As a human species, we must determine what is best for us by finding our natural reason, in order to achieve appropriate acts and ends. Internally, we possess our natural function, which is the reason that allows us to understand the natural. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Natural law is understood when we humans participate in achieving our purpose through reason and free will. Aquinas thinks of human laws as rules created to govern human society. Laws are laws only if they reflect natural and eternal law. According to Thomas, if they do not reflect natural and eternal law they are not laws because they are not 'legitimate', since he states that "a law is nothing more than a dictate of practical reason emanating from the sovereign who governs a perfect community." According to Thomas Aquinas human law is subject to all, since all must obey the law. The ruler of a society is obliged to follow the law he has established, but there is no person above him who can judge. Experience in practical matters allows us to improve the laws, so they are subject to change.