Single Idea 19891

[catalogued under 25. Social Practice / D. Justice / 2. The Law / b. Rule of law]

Full Idea

Men saw that to live by one man's will became the cause of all men's misery. This contrained them to come unto laws wherein all men might see their duty beforehand, and know the penalties of transgressing them.

Gist of Idea

Rule of law is superior to autonomy, because citizens can see what is expected

Source

Richard Hooker (Of the Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity [1593], I s.10), quoted by John Locke - Second Treatise of Government 111 n1

Book Reference

Locke,John: 'Two Treatises of Government' [Everyman 1988], p.173


A Reaction

One British school has a single rule, that pupils 'shall always treat other people with respect'. Presumably the rulers, as well as the pupils, must decide when this is transgressed. The rule of law may be preferable.