Preview

The Declaration Of Independence: The Natural Law Theory

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1637 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
The Declaration Of Independence: The Natural Law Theory
The natural law theory is the point at the crossing between morals and laws. It can be argued that the Declaration of Independence of 1776, which states, “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” has conveyed the natural law theory in its finest. The Declaration of Independence puts it, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator, with certain unalienable rights.” St. Thomas Aquinas interpreted natural law as the basic notion that good be done, a good that is known by proclivity, and evil be eluded. For Aquinas, the good is prior to the right. For him, whether the act is right is less important than whether the act is good (Wacks, 2012). So, natural law are the rights that so many believe are ascended unto them from their Creator. Ben’s vision of constitution does not embrace the natural law theory. It presents the …show more content…
First, by requiring that all law be written, positivism guarantees that members of society will be clearly explained their rights and obligations by the government. Citizens will not be unlawfully burdened by the governmental nuisance of an unwritten legal requirement that was previously unknown or non-existent. Second, positivism trusts that the integrity of the law is upheld through an unbiased and impartial judiciary that is not directed by subjective notions of right and wrong (“Legal Positivism,” 2011). The Annunaki’s Constitution, Article I states that the Annunaki do not have to pass laws, they are given to the humans by the Annunaki. This would leave legal positivists feeling like they Annunaki could make laws up when they please. Therefore, the humans could never truly be safe from tyranny. Article VI of the Annunaki Constitution states that punishment is eye for an eye. Legal positivists believe in an unbiased and impartial judiciary structure that is fair and just. An eye for an eye may not be the fair and just ways in all

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Common Sense was a pamphlet by Thomas Paine, but the Declaration of Independence was a formal document. The most important difference between Common Sense and the Declaration of Independence is that Paine spent more work on Common Sense than the Declaration of Independence is. So we can see more details from the Common Sense. For example, “He sets out reasons why the British system fails to provide adequate checks on the king.” ("Common Sense" 1) The declaration should not be misused by the king. However, Paine's work to outstanding detailed description of why in the history of this is a good time to revolt. Also, Common sense" and "Declaration of independence" are a different audience between the two documents.The purpose of the declaration…

    • 251 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The two documents that stirred up controversy during 1776 were The Declaration of Independence and Common Sense. These documents started to put the pressure against the government and it eventually led to the thirteen colonies gaining independence from Britain and the creation of a democratic society. In order for these documents to have the effect that they had on society it was crucial that the message be properly delivered. As much as these documents were connected and seem to help elevate the other, there were multiple similarities and different motives behind each document. An example of a contradicting statement was Thomas Jefferson who opposed slavery and advocated against it did not insist on abolishing it which seemed to contradict the document that he was writing. Even though both of these documents help shape the foundation of America there are many differences and similarities between The Declaration of Independence and Thomas Paine’s Common Sense.…

    • 1302 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Comparing the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, it is clear that there are many differences in things such as interests and intentions. As I have read through the documents and researched others insight on the documents I have found the differences very interesting.…

    • 304 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Through the years before the Declaration of Independence, the colonists were not treated properly. They deserved their independence. The colonists have gone through a lot of trouble and I believe it was justified for them to have independence. They have gone through the Tea Act, Sugar Act, and other Townshed Acts. I will be including my opinion about what I believe to be the strongest grievance in the grievance In the Declaration of Independence is, the events leading up to it, and evidence from another British colony.…

    • 387 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    it spread to europe when the returning troops helped the spread renaissance to the north then to the rest of the world throughout 17, 18, 19th centuries…

    • 1104 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Declaration of Independence. A document that not only shaped the government and the culture of the United States, but shaped the thinking of the entire world. Thomas Jefferson was asked by his committee to take on the job of writing the Declaration of Independence, and after some help from John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, the Declaration of Independence was sent to Congress. Congress ended up shortening the document by twenty-five percent, but Jefferson’s powerful words still remained. Consider the four key ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence; equality, unalienable rights, consent of the governed, and the right to alter or abolish government. Then write an essay which explains why three of these ideals are important to…

    • 653 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    How well is our government upholding the principles of the Declaration of Independence? Our government makes laws that are equal and fair to everyone. We all have basic rights like life, liberty, freedom of religion and right to fair trial. The government so far has been doing a better job. However, now we have a new president and I’m curious on to what he has in mind. Some of the things happening in the United States to people are not equal. I believe our government upholds many principles of the Declaration of Independence.…

    • 328 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    1. What power do all men have according to the beginning of the Declaration of Independence?…

    • 1436 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    As defined by the Philosophical Dictionary, the Natural Law Theory is "In moral philosophy, a norm, custom, or set of beliefs shared by people living in different cultures or eras. Such a “law” is supposedly derived from Nature (via reason or some other natural human faculty) and is considered binding on all humans everywhere. Ancient Stoicism, for example, held that there are eternal laws that govern all human actions and that happiness depends on recognizing and living in harmony with these fundamental “laws of nature.” Similarly, Aquinas argued that God established a set of universal laws – ascertainable through reason alone (hence available to everyone, regardless of their religion) – that operate for the welfare and benefit of all creatures.”…

    • 197 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Founding Fathers had an idea to set an example for the future of their country. The Declaration of Independence sets forth the Founders’ beliefs about the purposes of government, why the colonies should rebel against Great Britain, the complaints against the British king, and statements that the relationship between Great Britain and the colonies is demolished. The document also gives us reasons why the Declaration give for independence, such as that all men are created equal, all men are given with certain unalienable rights, and that people have the right to abolish the government. These were the principles of the U.S. The Declaration of Independence helped shape the principles of the United States such as the citizens’ unalienable rights…

    • 413 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Declaration of Independence has the greatest influence on how the united states government has developed because it sets a strong foundation that a government can thrive in. It outlined what is most important for our government by setting up basic definitions of equality, rights of individuals and what not to do. These are the three most important ideas: the unalienable rights, list of grievances and equality among citizens. These ideas are so important because they are our references to make a strong and fair government that is self sufficient and can protect the rights of people.…

    • 147 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    As Americans we have certain rights or principles. These seven rights are written on the Declaration of Independence. The United States is upholding the principles of the Declaration of Independence very well, especially the first and second principles.…

    • 281 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    When Jefferson speaks of laws of nature he is referring to the laws entitled to all men by God.…

    • 695 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Declaration of Independence” changed from the early drafts to the final document signed in 1776 because of the need to eliminate some aspects. There was a need to delete the attack on slavery in the initial drafts of “The Declaration of Independence” . The issue sparked a heated debate among the delegates who gathered in Philadelphia. The clause was instead replaced with a different passage about domestic insurrection. According to Walton, Hall and Gwinnett, the deletion of the passage on slavery was deliberately supported because the delegates who hailed from both Georgia and South Carolina were actively involved in the Trans-Atlantic trade (p.3). The change of the initial draft of “The Declaration of Independence” was a compromise, on the whole, aspect of independence because the reviews of the initial document negated the principle of freedom and justice. The persistence of slavery was no independence at all.…

    • 584 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Declaration of Independence written in 1776, was and still is an important document in American history. The declaration was primarily written by Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson was a supporter of John Locke, clearly evident in his use of Locke’s idea of natural rights, after minimal modifications. Most founders were in agreement to Locke’s ideas. Such as his idea of unalienable rights, which are life, liberty and property. In the Declaration of Independence they are stated as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Locke also believed in a social contract theory, which is an agreement between the government and its people that the established government should protect the rights of the people, and if it does not do so the people have the right to abolish the government and create a new one. “That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government” (Declaration). The founder’s beliefs were heavily influenced by the enlightenment period but Locke’s beliefs and ideals are most evident in the Declaration of Independence.…

    • 647 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays