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Full Idea
Natural law is certain propositions of immutable truth, which guide voluntary actions about the choice of good and avoidance of evil, and which impose an obligation to act, even without regard to civil laws, and ignoring compacts of governments.
Clarification
'Immutable' means can't be changed
Gist of Idea
Natural law is immutable truth giving moral truths and duties independent of society
Source
Richard Cumberland (De Legibus Naturae [1672], Ch.I.I)
Book Ref
'British Moralists 1650-1800 Vol. 1', ed/tr. Raphael,D.D. [Hackett 1991], p.79
A Reaction
Not a popular view, but I am sympathetic. If you are in a foreign country and find a person lying in pain, there is a terrible moral deficiency in anyone who just ignores such a thing. No legislation can take away a person's right of self-defence.
| 6217 | Natural law is supplied to the human mind by reality and human nature [Cumberland] |
| 6216 | Natural law is immutable truth giving moral truths and duties independent of society [Cumberland] |
| 6218 | The happiness of individuals is linked to the happiness of everyone (which is individuals taken together) [Cumberland] |
| 6220 | The happiness of all contains the happiness of each, and promotes it [Cumberland] |
| 6222 | If a decision is in accord with right reason, everyone can agree with it [Cumberland] |
| 6221 | If there are different ultimate goods, there will be conflicting good actions, which is impossible [Cumberland] |