Natural Law is a philosophical concept that asserts the existence of a universal moral order which exists independently of humans, and is the basis of justice and morality. The idea of Natural Law has been present in Western culture since ancient times and has been used to justify a variety of social and legal structures. This article will explore the history and development of Natural Law, as well as its implications for modern society.
The concept of Natural Law is closely related to the notion of a divine law, which asserts that all of creation is subject to a higher power which has a set of absolute rules which cannot be broken. This idea of a divine law has been present in many cultures throughout the world, and is often seen in religious texts. In the Western tradition, this concept was developed into the notion of Natural Law by the ancient Greeks, who argued that a universal moral order was inherent in the universe. This idea was further developed by the Roman philosopher Cicero, who argued that there existed certain immutable laws of nature which could be used to guide human behavior.
Natural Law was further developed during the medieval period, when it was used to justify the social and legal structures of the time. This included the idea of the divine right of kings, which asserted that kings were divinely ordained to rule, and could not be challenged by their subjects. This concept was used to justify the authoritarian rule of the time. During the Enlightenment, Natural Law was reinterpreted to support the idea of natural freedoms, such as the right to life, liberty, and property. This idea was used to support the development of modern democracies.
Today, the notion of Natural Law is used to justify a variety of legal and social structures. It is used to support the idea of universal human rights, as well as the rule of law in many democratic societies. Natural Law is also used to argue for the protection of the environment, as well as the preservation of traditional cultures and values.
In conclusion, Natural Law is a long-standing philosophical concept which has been used to justify a variety of social and legal structures throughout history. Its influence can still be seen in modern society, and it continues to be used to support the idea of universal human rights and the rule of law.
References
Aristotle. (1941). Nicomachean ethics. Harvard University Press.
Cicero, M. T. (1945). De re publica. Harvard University Press.
Kaufman, W. (2003). In defense of natural law. Oxford University Press.
Locke, J. (1960). Two treatises of government. Penguin Books.
Rousseau, J. J. (1968). The social contract. Penguin Books.