Natural Law

Definition

Natural law refers to a body of unchanging moral principles regarded as a basis for all human conduct. In the context of medieval Europe, it was seen as a framework for understanding justice and morality that transcended human-made laws, influencing legal philosophy, governance, and ethical discussions. This concept posited that certain rights and moral values were inherent in human nature and could be discovered through reason, rather than solely determined by legislation or societal norms.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Natural law was heavily influenced by thinkers like Aristotle and later incorporated into Christian theology by figures such as Thomas Aquinas, who argued that human beings could discern moral truths through reason.
2. In medieval Europe, natural law provided a foundation for legal systems and was used to evaluate the legitimacy of man-made laws, especially when they conflicted with moral principles.
3. The idea of natural law suggested that all humans possess certain inherent rights, such as the right to life and liberty, which governments must respect.
4. Natural law also played a key role in the development of concepts like justice and fairness within the legal framework of medieval Europe, shaping the way laws were interpreted and enforced.
5. Debates over natural law often intersected with issues of sovereignty, as rulers were challenged on whether their authority was legitimate if it contradicted natural justice.

Review Questions

• How did natural law influence the understanding of justice in medieval Europe?
  • Natural law significantly shaped the understanding of justice in medieval Europe by providing a universal moral framework against which human laws could be measured. Thinkers like Thomas Aquinas articulated that true justice must align with these inherent moral principles, thus influencing both legal theory and the application of justice within society. As a result, when man-made laws failed to adhere to natural law, they were viewed as unjust and invalid.
• In what ways did natural law challenge the authority of secular rulers during the medieval period?
  • Natural law posed a challenge to secular rulers by asserting that their authority was only legitimate if it aligned with universal moral principles. This idea meant that laws enacted by rulers could be deemed illegitimate if they contradicted the higher moral standards established by natural law. Consequently, this fostered debates about the limits of royal power and opened avenues for resistance against tyrannical governance based on perceived injustices.
• Evaluate the lasting impacts of natural law on modern legal systems and concepts of human rights.
  • The legacy of natural law continues to influence modern legal systems and human rights discourse. By establishing that certain rights are inherent to all individuals and discoverable through reason, natural law laid the groundwork for contemporary ideas about universal human rights. This philosophical foundation underpins many legal frameworks today, advocating for justice that transcends local laws and cultural practices. As a result, discussions around equity, justice, and legality often hark back to the principles laid out by natural law theorists.

Related terms

Divine Law: A set of laws believed to be given by God, which are considered to be absolute and universal, often seen as complementary to natural law.

Civil Law: The system of laws created by the government to regulate the behavior of its citizens, often contrasted with natural law which emphasizes moral principles.

Scholasticism:

A method of critical thought prevalent in medieval universities that aimed to reconcile faith and reason, heavily engaging with concepts like natural law.