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An Appraisal of Natural Law as the Foundation for Moral Order

Yahaya Abubakar

Abstract

This paper examines the concept of natural law as the foundation of moral order. At the heart of this paper is the conviction that there is an objective and universal justice (law) which transcends humanity’s particular expressions of justice. It asserts that there are certain ways of behaving which are appropriate to humankind and bring order to chaos. This article assesses natural law as a foundation for moral governance, examining its historical development, core principles, and relevance in contemporary ethical discourse. Drawing on classical and modern perspectives, including those of Thomas Aquinas, John Locke, and contemporary scholars, the study evaluates the strengths and criticisms of natural law in establishing moral order. While natural law offers a robust framework for universal ethics, its application faces challenges in pluralistic societies with diverse moral perspectives. We will employ the qualitative method using the analytical and critical approach in this paper.

Keywords

LawNatural LawMoral OrderFoundation

References

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