Final answer:
The question explores the distinction between humans and animals concerning the perception of order, decency, and beauty, and whether a moral natural order necessitates belief in a divine creator. It delves into perspectives ranging from divine reasoning to Evolutionary Theory and the role of advanced animals' sensory systems in perceiving the world.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question seems to delve into the concept of what differentiates human beings from other animals, particularly in terms of sensing order, decency, and beauty. Various thinkers have tackled these ideas differently. Aquinas, for instance, attributes the order in nature to divine intervention, whereas Aristotle did not see it as divinely inspired. There's also the consideration that moral natural order may not be a product of divine intention, especially when viewed through the lens of Evolutionary Theory, which suggests that our species evolved survival strategies rather than inherent moral truths.
Indeed, the discussion on whether humans and animals can sense beauty and harmony vastly differ. When discussing creatures' capacity to discern beauty or moral conduct, it is critical to understand that human behaviour is complex due to environmental influences like conditioning and education. Moreover, the sensory systems in more advanced animals are adapted according to their environment's demands, indicating that different species perceive the world uniquely.
According to the texts, human beings, equipped with reasoning abilities, are thought to discern the Laws of Nature and are morally obligated to act in accordance with them. However, there is also an acknowledgment that instincts and social behaviors, shaped by natural selection, are foundational to our moral sense, emphasizing a naturalistic rather than a supernatural foundation for moral understanding.