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Natural Law Theory - Online Papers

Natural Law Theory

The is a theory that dates back to the time of the Greeks
and great thinkers like Plato and Aristotle. Defined as the law which states
that human are inborn with certain laws preordained into them which let them
determine what is right and what is wrong.(Bainton 174) This theory was them
adapted by religious philosophers to fit the Christian religion.(Berkhof 114)
This, however was not exactly the same as the original. The classical thinkers
were the first to define the natural law. Heraclitus, in the sixth century BC,
specified one the components by saying, *for all human laws are nourished by one,
the divine.* This meant that a divine power determined a logic and gave to all
humans. ...

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and he came up with the theory of
Stoicism. Stoicism is an interpretation of the natural law which states that
every, single person is a part of the universe that was created and is ruled by
a divine power rationally. To live rationally and with virtue, according to the
Stoics, was to follow one*s nature and reason. Thus, they deemed emotion and
passion irrational, and therefore unnatural. For Stoics, the wise would be
those who excluded emotion and passion from their decision making
process.(Bainton 21-22) The great Christian philosophers came upon this theory
and realized that it was compatible to their religion. Probably the most famous
of them was St. Thomas Aquinas. He stated in his Summa Theologiae that God
gave man the ability to determine the difference of right from wrong by the
*Eternal Law.* This law gave all beings a tendency to do what was proper or
natural. He went on to say that by doing what was right, each being was in fact
using divine reason. The ...

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Natural Law Theory. (2008, November 6). Retrieved February 22, 2025, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Natural-Law-Theory/92598

"Natural Law Theory." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 6 Nov. 2008. Web. 22 Feb. 2025. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Natural-Law-Theory/92598>

"Natural Law Theory." Essayworld.com. November 6, 2008. Accessed February 22, 2025. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Natural-Law-Theory/92598.

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 11/6/2008 12:33:09 AM
Category: Government
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 641
Pages: 3

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