Summary of Raymond Wacks's Philosophy of Law - E-book - ePub

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 Moral questions pervade our lives, and they are the basis of political and legal debate. The revival of natural law theory suggests that we have not come any closer to resolving ethical problems over the centuries. #2 Natural Law and Natural Rights are two different things. Natural Law is the philosophy of natural law, and it is the most comprehensive expression of Christian doctrine on the subject.
It was developed by the Romans, and it was largely developed by the Catholic Church. #3 The idea that laws must be in line with natural or divine law is known as lex iniusta non est lex. It was first stated by St. Augustine, and was popularized by Aquinas. It states that a law that fails to conform to natural or divine law is not a law at all. #4 Aquinas is associated with a conservative view of natural law.
However, the principles of natural law have been used to justify revolutions, especially the American and French, on the grounds that the law infringed individuals' natural rights.