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Exploring Natural Law: Philosophical Roots and Ethical Implications

Exploring Natural Law: Philosophical Roots And Ethical Implications

Explore the evolution and application of natural law and its impact on contemporary ethical discussions. This content delves into philosophical principles and ethical frameworks, enhancing understanding and skills in moral...

Questions: 5 | Attempts: 10 | Last updated: Aug 4, 2025

Sample Question 1
Which philosopher is associated with the concept of natural law as a deductive, deontological, and teleological theory?

Immanuel Kant - Kant's moral philosophy was based on categorical imperative and duty, emphasizing rationality and universality in ethics.

Thomas Hobbes - Hobbes believed that natural law is based on self-preservation and people pursued their own individual interests.

Plato - The Guardians of Plato's Kalipolis had a heightened understanding of moral qualities like justice and moderation. The majority of people can come up with definitions of justice, descriptions of just behavior but these refer to particular times and places. The Guardians can go beyond this and through reason discover the true form (eidos) of justice, all the notions are merely shadows of the real thing. The greatest of forms is the 'form of good' which makes all others intelligible, it is the absolute measure of justice, "the brightest region of being". Upon witnessing the form of good the individual gains wisdom. In Plato's work 'Symposium' good equated with beauty which on coming contact with sustains him from the temptation to pursue wealth and sex. Plato's forms can be interpreted as natural laws, this is further supported by his vision of an ideal society as one "established in accordance with nature" - this is explored in work 'Republic'.

John Locke - Locke's concept of natural law focused on individual rights, life, liberty, and property, which formed the basis of his social contract theory.

Sample Question 2
In his works Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle argued that natural law was not always the same as that which was just by law. He observed that while laws may vary from place to place, natural justice is independent and applies to everyone no matter where they live. Which ancient philosophical school believed in the existence of a rational and purposeful order to the universe and considered natural law as a law of right reason?

Plato's Academy

Cyrenaics

The Ancient Stoics The stoics asserted the existence of a rational (logos) and purposeful order to the universe and the means by which a rational being lived in accordance with this order was the natural law, which spelled out action that accorded with virtue. They considered natural law as a law of right reason.

Epicureanism

Sample Question 3
What is the relationship between natural law, justice, and the idea of choosing what is just and true according to Cicero's De Legibus?

Plato believed that natural law is solely based on reason and intuition.

Aristotle argued that natural law is shaped by societal norms and customs.

Thomas Aquinas asserted that natural law originates from human rationality and free will.

St Paul "For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things contained in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law unto themselves, their conscience also bearing witness"