Essential Natural Law: What is Natural Law?

Summary

Natural law is a philosophical tradition rooted in ancient Greek thought, asserting that all humans possess the ability to discern right from wrong through reason. It emphasizes the role of free will in making moral choices and posits that individuals flourish by doing good. Natural law also places limits on state power, suggesting that laws must align with inherent moral truths to be just. Influential throughout history, it has shaped modern concepts like individual rights, justice, and limited government, playing a key role in the creation of democratic societies.

Takeaways

• 😀 Natural law is a philosophical tradition with roots going back to Plato and other Greek philosophers.
• 😀 It is based on the idea that all humans possess reason and can distinguish between good and evil, right and wrong.
• 😀 Natural law suggests that people inherently know that harming others is wrong.
• 😀 It emphasizes that humans possess free will and the ability to choose to do good or avoid evil.
• 😀 Flourishing is a core concept in natural law, where choosing good leads to human flourishing.
• 😀 The golden rule ('treat others as you would want to be treated') is a universal principle found in most religions and cultures.
• 😀 Natural law asserts that people have an inherent morality that limits the power of the state.
• 😀 The authority of natural laws is seen as greater than man-made laws, which should align with natural law to be morally binding.
• 😀 When man-made laws contradict natural law (e.g., discrimination), people are justified in disobeying such laws as unjust.
• 😀 Natural law places limits on the power of the state while affirming its legitimate responsibilities, ensuring scope for personal choice and moral action.
• 😀 Natural law has deeply influenced Western political, moral, legal, and economic thought, contributing to free societies and modern democratic institutions.

Q & A

What is natural law?

Natural law is a philosophical and scholarly tradition that suggests all humans possess reason and the ability to distinguish between right and wrong, good and evil. It holds that people have an inherent understanding of morality, regardless of their culture or religion.

Who were the early philosophers associated with the development of natural law?

Natural law traces its roots back to ancient Greek philosophers, including Plato, who contributed to its foundational ideas.

What does natural law say about human free will?

Natural law affirms that all humans possess free will, allowing them to choose to do good and avoid evil. This ability is central to human flourishing.

How does natural law relate to the Golden Rule?

Natural law is reflected in the Golden Rule, which suggests treating others as one would like to be treated. This principle is universally understood, regardless of one's legal system, religion, or culture.

What is the relationship between natural law and state power?

Natural law places limits on the power of the state. It holds that the state’s laws must align with people's inherent understanding of right and wrong. When laws contradict these moral principles, people have the right to disobey them.

Why does natural law consider some laws unjust?

Laws are considered unjust by natural law when they violate the moral principles known to be right by people, such as laws that discriminate based on gender, ethnicity, or religion.

How does natural law impact political and legal thought in Western societies?

Natural law has significantly influenced the development of moral, political, legal, and economic thought in Western societies. It has shaped concepts such as individual rights, justice, private property, the rule of law, constitutionalism, and limited government.

What is the role of natural law in the creation of modern Western democracies?

Natural law has played a crucial role in the creation of institutions within modern Western democracies by encouraging the growth of ideas like individual rights, justice, and limited government.

How does natural law function as a moral restriction on state power?

Natural law acts as a moral restriction on state power by ensuring that laws align with universal moral principles. It limits state power by preventing the government from enacting laws that violate basic human rights and freedoms.

What should happen when a government enacts laws that contradict natural law?

When a government enacts laws that contradict natural law, such as laws that are unjust or immoral, people are morally justified to disobey these laws, as they are viewed as unjust according to natural law principles.