Legal Definitions - lex naturae

Definition: Natural law refers to a set of moral and legal principles that are believed to come from nature or divine justice, rather than from human-made laws. It is based on the idea that there are certain universal truths that apply to all people, regardless of their culture or beliefs. For example, the idea that murder is wrong is considered a natural law principle because it is universally accepted as morally wrong. Natural law is often used to critique existing laws and to propose new ones that align with these universal principles. Example: The concept of natural law can be seen in the debate over same-sex marriage. Supporters of same-sex marriage argue that denying people the right to marry based on their sexual orientation goes against natural law principles of equality and fairness. They believe that these principles should be reflected in the laws of the land. Opponents of same-sex marriage, on the other hand, argue that natural law principles dictate that marriage should only be between a man and a woman. They believe that changing this definition goes against the natural order of things. This example illustrates how natural law can be used to support different sides of a legal and moral debate.