natural law

natural law
An abstract concept of law in accord with the nature of man. A rule which so necessarily agrees with the nature and state of man that, without observing its maxims, the peace and happiness of society can never be preserved. Borden v State, 11 Ark 519. Those fit and just rules of conduct which the Creator has prescribed to man, as a dependent and social being; and which are to be ascertained from the deductions of right reason, though they may be more precisely known, and more explicitly declared by divine revelation. Wightman v Wightman (NY) 4 Johns Ch 343, 348. See natural rights.

Ballentine's law dictionary. . 1998.

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  • natural law — n: a body of law or a specific principle of law that is held to be derived from nature and binding upon human society in the absence of or in addition to positive law ◇ While natural law, based on a notion of timeless order, does not receive as… …   Law dictionary

  • Natural Law — • In English this term is frequently employed as equivalent to the laws of nature, meaning the order which governs the activities of the material universe. Among the Roman jurists natural law designated those instincts and emotions common to man… …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Natural law — Natural Nat u*ral (?; 135), a. [OE. naturel, F. naturel, fr. L. naturalis, fr. natura. See {Nature}.] 1. Fixed or determined by nature; pertaining to the constitution of a thing; belonging to native character; according to nature; essential;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • natural law — ► NOUN 1) a body of unchanging moral principles regarded as inherent in all human beings and forming a basis for human conduct. 2) an observable law relating to natural phenomena …   English terms dictionary

  • natural law — n. 1. rules of conduct supposedly inherent in the relations between human beings and discoverable by reason; law based upon man s innate moral sense 2. a law of nature: see LAW (sense 8a) 3. the laws of nature, collectively …   English World dictionary

  • Natural law — For other uses, see Natural law (disambiguation). Natural law, or the law of nature (Latin: lex naturalis), is any system of law which is purportedly determined by nature, and thus universal.[1] Classically, natural law refers to the use of… …   Wikipedia

  • natural law — a principle or body of laws considered as derived from nature, right reason, or religion and as ethically binding in human society. Cf. positive law. [1350 1400; ME] * * * In jurisprudence and political philosophy, a system of right or justice… …   Universalium

  • Natural Law — A set of rules inherent in human behavior and human reasoning that governs human conduct. Natural law is preexisting and is not created in courts by judges. Philosophers and theologians throughout history have differed in their interpretations of …   Investment dictionary

  • natural law — The ambiguity of the term natural law rests upon a metaphorical link between regularities in nature and the authoritative regulation of human activity. In its latter use, ‘natural law’ refers to principles of law and morality, supposedly… …   Dictionary of sociology

  • natural law — noun a rule or body of rules of conduct inherent in human nature and essential to or binding upon human society (Freq. 4) • Syn: ↑law • Hypernyms: ↑concept, ↑conception, ↑construct • Hyponyms: ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • NATURAL LAW —    a term borrowed from STOIC PHILOSOPHY used by CHRISTIAN philosophers to argue that a RATIONAL order can be detected underlying the universe which enables individuals to make informed judgements about RIGHT and WRONG on the basis of REASON. It… …   Concise dictionary of Religion

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