natural law
God’s or nature’s law that defines right from wrong and is higher than human law
Natural law is a philosophical theory that suggests that certain principles or laws are inherent in nature and can be discovered through reason and observation. It implies that there are objective and universal principles that govern human behavior and conduct, which are based on natural or essential aspects of human nature.
The concept of natural law has its root in ancient Greek and Roman philosophy, and it has been developed by many philosophers throughout history. According to natural law theory, these fundamental principles are not created by humans, but they exist regardless of society or culture. Natural law can be applied to various fields, including ethics, politics, and jurisprudence.
One of the key aspects of natural law theory is the idea of “telos” or purpose. Natural law assumes that everything in nature has a purpose or function, and the morality of an action depends on its ability to fulfill that purpose. For example, according to natural law, sex should only be used for procreation, because that is its natural purpose.
Natural law theorists argue that these natural principles are superior to man-made laws and that they can guide human conduct and provide a basis for moral decision-making. However, critics of natural law argue that it is difficult to determine what is natural, and that the theory can be used to justify harmful cultural practices, as has been done in the past.
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