1. Printable Version
2. Download PDF
3. Cite this Page

What is natural law?

Natural law is the theory that some laws are basic to human nature. These laws can be known only through human reason, without reference to man-made law. Roman orator (public speaker) and philosopher Cicero (106–43 B.C.) insisted that natural law is universal, meaning that it is binding to governments and people everywhere.

Further Information:"Natural Law." Electric Library. [Online] Available http://www.encyclopedia.com/articles/09044.html, November 7, 2000; "Natural Law." Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. [Online] Available http://www.utm.edu/research/iep/n/natlaw.htm, November 7, 2000; Sells, Benjamin. Order in the Court: Crafting a More Just World in Lawless Times. Boston: Element, 1999.

Join eNotes

The above is a free excerpt. Get total access to this content with the:

eNotes Pass

1. Ancient Philosophy
   1. What is philosophy and how old is it?
   2. How old is Taoism?
   3. Who was Confucius, and why do people still quote him?
   4. Why was Socrates condemned to death?
   5. Who was Plato?
   6. Why is Aristotle considered one of the greatest minds in Western history?
   7. What was the philosophy of the Middle Ages?
   8. Who were the great Islamic philosophers of the Middle Ages?
2. Modern Philosophy
   1. Why were Francis Bacon's ideas revolutionary?
   2. Why is René Descartes considered the father of modern philosophy?
   3. Why are Immanuel Kant's philosophies still important?
   4. What is empiricism?
   5. What is the Hegelian theory of history?
   6. What is existentialism?
3. Philosophy And Government
   1. What is natural law?
   2. What is the social contract?
   3. Why are Thomas Paine's ideas important to democratic thought?
   4. What is Marxism?
   5. What is the difference between socialism and communism?
   6. What is fascism?