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<div style="padding-left:40px;">— From [[95 Theses against Evolution]]<ref>{{cite web |title=95 Theses against Evolution: 76-83 Information theory |url=http://www.0095.info/en/index_thesesen_informationtheory.html |accessdate=8 November 2015}}</ref> </div>
<div style="padding-left:40px;">— From [[95 Theses against Evolution]]<ref>{{cite web |title=95 Theses against Evolution: 76-83 Information theory |url=http://www.0095.info/en/index_thesesen_informationtheory.html |accessdate=8 November 2015}}</ref> </div>
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'''Natural Law''' is the concept that there is inherent in nature a set of laws, one of the gifts of [[God]] to man at his creation,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://files.libertyfund.org/pll/quotes/215.html|last1=Blackstone|first1=William|title=Sir William Blackstone differentiates between “absolute rights” of individuals (natural rights which exist prior to the state) and social rights (contractural rights which evolve later) (1753)|date=May 5th, 2009|quote=The absolute rights of man, considered as a free agent, endowed with discernment to know good from evil, and with power of choosing those measures which appear to him to be most desirable, are usually summed up in one general appellation, and denominated the natural liberty of mankind. This natural liberty consists properly in a power of acting as one thinks fit, without any restraint or control, unless by the law of nature; being a right inherent in us by birth, and one of the gifts of God to man at his creation, when he endued him with the faculty of free will.}}</ref>, to which humans must adhere. These laws are considered to be self-evident, in that they are able to be observed by everyone. It is debated whether or not natural law actually exists; in particular, it conflicts with [[sola scriptura]].<ref>[http://www.mun.ca/animus/1998vol3/kirby3.htm Richard Hooker's Discourse on Natural Law in the Context of the Magisterial Reformation]</ref>
'''Natural Law''' is the concept that there is inherent in nature a set of laws, one of the gifts of [[God]] to man at his creation,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://files.libertyfund.org/pll/quotes/215.html|last1=Blackstone|first1=William|title=Sir William Blackstone differentiates between “absolute rights” of individuals (natural rights which exist prior to the state) and social rights (contractural rights which evolve later) (1753)|date=May 5, 2009|quote=The absolute rights of man, considered as a free agent, endowed with discernment to know good from evil, and with power of choosing those measures which appear to him to be most desirable, are usually summed up in one general appellation, and denominated the natural liberty of mankind. This natural liberty consists properly in a power of acting as one thinks fit, without any restraint or control, unless by the law of nature; being a right inherent in us by birth, and one of the gifts of God to man at his creation, when he endued him with the faculty of free will.}}</ref> to which humans must adhere. These laws are considered to be self-evident, in that they are able to be observed by everyone. It is debated whether or not natural law actually exists; in particular, it conflicts with [[sola scriptura]].<ref>[http://www.mun.ca/animus/1998vol3/kirby3.htm Richard Hooker's Discourse on Natural Law in the Context of the Magisterial Reformation]</ref>
These are distinguished from [[physical law]] in that they can be broken or disobeyed, and from [[civil law]] and [[common law]] by the fact that they have no enforcement agencies. However, it can be argued that it forms the foundation for many legal systems in the world.
These are distinguished from [[physical law]] in that they can be broken or disobeyed, and from [[civil law]] and [[common law]] by the fact that they have no enforcement agencies. However, it can be argued that it forms the foundation for many legal systems in the world.
==State of Nature==
==State of Nature==
To understand Natural Law, some have sought to understand humanity through the most basic state of nature. As [[John Locke]] explains:
To understand Natural Law, some have sought to understand humanity through the most basic state of nature. As [[John Locke]] explains:
{{cquote|To properly understand political power and trace its origins, we must consider the state that all people are in naturally. That is a state of perfect freedom of acting and disposing of their own possessions and persons as they think fit within the bounds of the law of nature. People in this state do not have to ask permission to act or depend on the will of others to arrange matters on their behalf. The natural state is also one of equality in which all power and jurisdiction is reciprocal and no one has more than another. It is evident that all human beings - as creatures belonging to the same species and rank and born indiscriminately with all the same natural advantages and faculties - are equal amongst themselves. They have no relationship of subordination or subjection unless God (the lord and master of them all) had clearly set one person above another and conferred on him an undoubted right to dominion and sovereignty.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K5UIAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA189|last1=Locke|first1=John|title=Two Treatises On Government|date=1821|pages=189-191}}</ref>}}
{{cquote|To properly understand political power and trace its origins, we must consider the state that all people are in naturally. That is a state of perfect freedom of acting and disposing of their own possessions and persons as they think fit within the bounds of the law of nature. People in this state do not have to ask permission to act or depend on the will of others to arrange matters on their behalf. The natural state is also one of equality in which all power and jurisdiction is reciprocal and no one has more than another. It is evident that all human beings - as creatures belonging to the same species and rank and born indiscriminately with all the same natural advantages and faculties - are equal amongst themselves. They have no relationship of subordination or subjection unless God (the lord and master of them all) had clearly set one person above another and conferred on him an undoubted right to dominion and sovereignty.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K5UIAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA189|last1=Locke|first1=John|title=Two Treatises On Government|date=1821|pages=189–191}}</ref>}}
The formula is simple. If humans have rights, and these rights exist prior to the existence of government, then government cannot be the source of rights. Rights must come from some place else.
The formula is simple. If humans have rights, and these rights exist prior to the existence of government, then government cannot be the source of rights. Rights must come from some place else.
{{cquote|For that all Law properly considered, supposes a capable Subject, and a Superiour Power, And the Law of God which is Binding, is published by the Dictates of Right Reason as other ways; Therefore says Plutarch, To follow God and obey Reason is the same thing. But moreover that God has Established the Law of Nature, as the General Rule of Government, is further Illustrable from the many Sanctions in Providence, and from the Peace and Guilt of Conscience in them that either obey, or violate the Law of Nature.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=apfYAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA31|title=A Vindication of the Government of New England Churches|date=1717|author=[[John Wise (clergyman)|John Wise]]}}</ref> - [[John Wise (clergyman)|John Wise]], A Vindication of the Government of New England Churches}}
{{cquote|For that all Law properly considered, supposes a capable Subject, and a Superiour Power, And the Law of God which is Binding, is published by the Dictates of Right Reason as other ways; Therefore says Plutarch, To follow God and obey Reason is the same thing. But moreover that God has Established the Law of Nature, as the General Rule of Government, is further Illustrable from the many Sanctions in Providence, and from the Peace and Guilt of Conscience in them that either obey, or violate the Law of Nature.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=apfYAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA31|title=A Vindication of the Government of New England Churches|date=1717|author=[[John Wise (clergyman)|John Wise]]}}</ref> - [[John Wise (clergyman)|John Wise]], A Vindication of the Government of New England Churches}}
==See Also==
==See also==
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[[Category:Philosophy]]
[[Category:Philosophy]]
==External Links==
==External links==
* [http://www.kirkcenter.org/index.php/detail/burke-natural-rights-1951/ Burke and Natural Rights], by [[Russell Kirk]]
* [http://www.kirkcenter.org/index.php/detail/burke-natural-rights-1951/ Burke and Natural Rights], by [[Russell Kirk]]
* [http://www.acton.org/pub/religion-liberty/volume-13-number-3/natural-law-what-we-naturally-know The Natural Law Is What We Naturally Know], [[The Acton Institute]]
* [http://www.acton.org/pub/religion-liberty/volume-13-number-3/natural-law-what-we-naturally-know The Natural Law Is What We Naturally Know], [[The Acton Institute]]