Natural Law, Socrates, and

Plato

Grace, Mohammad, and Wendy

Natural Law

• Suggests that human laws are derived from eternal and unchangeable principles found in nature.– People can become aware of these

laws by the use of reason.

• Examples of natural law:– Parents should care for their children.– One should try to preserve one’s life.– People should do no harm to others.– We should help the vulnerable and

disadvantaged.

Natural Law

• The concept of natural law was supported by many philosophers.– Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and

Thomas Aquinas were among its supporters.

– Each of these philosophers varied slightly in their interpretation of natural law.

Socrates• Socrates was an ancient Greek philosopher

who created the foundation of Western philosophy.

– He lived in Athens from 470 to 399 BCE.

• His philosophic method was to start discussions about topics such as justice, knowledge, love or virtue with people in the streets and marketplaces of Athens.

• “The necessity of doing what one thinks is right even in the face of universal opposition and the need to pursue knowledge even when opposed” was one of Socrates’ important philosophies.

– However, none of his thoughts were written down; therefore, all his teachings were from the writing of Plato.

Socrates• However in 399 BCE, Socrates was charged

with impiety and corrupting the young.• Socrates felt that he was encouraging

people to lead more fulfilling lives, rather than breaking the law.

• However, he was found guilty for his first crime and was give a small fine.For his second crime, he was found guilty and drank a cup of hemlock, a type of poison.

• Socrates’ defence, “The Apology” is a speech of the theory of natural law. – In it, Socrates stated that “each person do what

is right and avoid what is wrong.”

Plato• Was a Greek philosopher and student of

Socrates.– Lived from 428 BC to 348 BC

• Though that humans are social by nature and that organized society was a natural institution.

• Society or states did not exist for soley economic reasons, but also to help people live good lives.

• In “The Republic”, Plato wrote that natural justice should be evident in both the individual and the state.– The use of reasoning is key to this.

Plato• In Plato’s mind, justice was the condition that

exists when all the powers of an individual or society are working harmoniously for the greater good.

• Consequently, he felt human laws must be based on the knowledge of eternal laws that rule the universe.– The most basic law is the do good and avoid evil.– Law is closely associated with morality, not religion.

Impact and Influence

• The concept of natural law had a strong influence on almost all concepts that came after it.

• For example, natural law is among the greatest influences in English common law, which Canada practices to a large degree.

• Among its strengths is that it is capable of labeling unjust laws as being legally deficient.

• However, many of its detractors argue that natural law is far too rigid and stagnant.