What is the essence of natural law?

The essence of natural law lies in the belief that law should reflect universal moral principles. This concept posits that there are inherent rights and moral standards that transcend human-made laws and societal conventions. Natural law theory suggests that these universal principles should serve as a foundation for creating just laws. Proponents argue that laws must align with ethical norms and values that are universally recognized, independent of the specific legal systems in place.

This framework leads to the idea that when human laws deviate from these moral principles, they may be considered unjust or illegitimate. Therefore, natural law serves not only as a guiding force for lawmakers but also as a standard against which the legality and morality of existing laws can be assessed.

The other perspectives focus on various aspects of law that do not prioritize the alignment of legal systems with universal moral principles. For instance, governmental authority emphasizes the source of law rather than its moral grounding, while compliance with statutory law centers on following established regulations rather than their ethical implications. Similarly, a historical perspective analyzes the evolution of laws without inherently considering their moral dimensions.