- "Natural law (Latin: ius naturale, lex naturalis) is a system of law based on a close observation of human nature, and based on values intrinsic to human nature that can be deduced and applied independently of positive law."
Natural law is a theory that certain rights or values are inherent in human nature and can be discovered through reason. It was an important concept in Ancient Greek political thought and has since become a central idea in Western political philosophy.
The concept of Natural Law: The principle that certain universal rights and laws are inherent in human nature.
Natural rights: Rights that are applicable to all human beings by virtue of their existence alone, and which cannot be taken away by any government or entity.
Teleology: Study of the purpose or design of natural phenomena, and the belief that everything in the universe has an end goal or design.
Virtue ethics: A moral philosophy that emphasizes the development of good character traits and personal responsibility, as opposed to simply following rules or principles.
Stoicism: A school of thought that emphasizes individual self-control, rationality, and calm in the face of adversity.
Social contract theory: A political theory that argues that individuals surrender some of their natural rights to a government or authority in exchange for protection and security.
Natural law in the Roman Empire: Natural Law was a central concept in Roman legal and political philosophy, and it has helped shape modern systems of law in many Western countries.
The relationship between Natural Law and religion: Many religious traditions include some form of natural law theory, and the relationship between religion and natural law has been a topic of debate for centuries.
The role of reason in natural law: Natural Law theories often emphasize the role of reason in determining the moral content of the universe and how human beings ought to behave.
The history of natural law theory: Natural law has been a topic of discussion in philosophy, theology, and law for centuries, and its history provides insight into how the concept has evolved over time.
Stoic Natural Law: This is based on the idea that the universe is governed by reason and all entities within the universe have a specific function or purpose.
Aristotelian Natural Law: It is based on the concept that natural endowments, such as reason or physical abilities, are meant to be actualized by individuals.
Thomist Natural Law: This is based on the idea that God exists and human beings are made in his image. Therefore, human beings should use their reasoning abilities to understand God's will and follow his commandments.
Hobbesian Natural Law: It is based on the idea that humans are naturally selfish and aggressive, and social order can only be maintained through a strong central authority.
Lockean Natural Law: This is grounded in the idea that human beings have natural rights that are bestowed upon them by nature, and governments exist to protect those rights.
Rousseauian Natural Law: This is based on the idea that human beings are naturally good but are corrupted by society. Therefore, governments should be formed in such a way that they reflect the general will of the people.
- "Natural law theory can also refer to 'theories of ethics, theories of politics, theories of civil law, and theories of religious morality.'"
- "In Western tradition, it was anticipated by the pre-Socratics, for example in their search for principles that governed the cosmos and human beings."
- "The concept of natural law was documented in ancient Greek philosophy, including Aristotle, and was referred to in ancient Roman philosophy by Cicero."
- "References to it are also to be found in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible."
- "The School of Salamanca made notable contributions during the Renaissance."
- "Aquinas argues that because human beings have reason, and because reason is a spark of the divine, all human lives are sacred and of infinite value compared to any other created object, meaning all humans are fundamentally equal and bestowed with an intrinsic basic set of rights that no human can remove."
- "Modern natural law theories took shape in the Age of Enlightenment."
- "Combining inspiration from Roman law, Christian scholastic philosophy, and contemporary concepts such as social contract theory."
- "It was used in challenging the theory of the divine right of kings, and became an alternative justification for the establishment of a social contract, positive law, and government."
- "In the early decades of the 21st century, the concept of natural law is closely related to the concept of natural rights."
- "Indeed, many philosophers, jurists, and scholars use natural law synonymously with natural rights (Latin: ius naturale), or natural justice."
- "Because of the intersection between natural law and natural rights, natural law has been claimed or attributed as a key component in the Act of Abjuration (1581) of the Netherlands, the Declaration of Independence (1776) of the United States, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (1789) of France."
- "The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) of the United Nations, as well as the European Convention on Human Rights (1953) of the Council of Europe."
- "Based on values intrinsic to human nature that can be deduced and applied independently of positive law."
- "All people have inherent rights, conferred not by act of legislation but by 'God, nature, or reason.'"
- "All humans are fundamentally equal and bestowed with an intrinsic basic set of rights that no human can remove."
- "The School of Salamanca made notable contributions during the Renaissance."
- "Natural law theory can also refer to 'theories of ethics, theories of politics, theories of civil law, and theories of religious morality.'"
- "All human lives are sacred and of infinite value compared to any other created object."