LAWS and NATURAL LAW

Laws of the Universe

Just as there can never be science without a scientist, so neither can there be
law and order in the cosmos unless it was made with law and order. The mind of man
does not put law into the universe; it discovers it. If man discovers intelligibility there,
someone must have put it there in making the cosmos intelligently. That someone is the
Author of the laws which govern the universe.

The Author of such laws has designed all the laws of the universe in His own
infinite mind. In this sense, the ETERNAL LAW is that plan of divine wisdom, directing
all actions and movements. It is called ETERNAL because it is prior to creation and LAW
because it is a normative ordination by the divine wisdom. All laws- defined as an
ordinance of reason, promulgated for the common good - are derived from eternal law.

The eternal law then is the model of all laws. No law is just if it does not conform
to eternal law. Eternal law applies to each and every action of all creatures.

The eternal law reveals the will of God- considered to be the supreme Author of
laws. It contains the divine blueprints which bring order into the universe because they
direct all of creation and creatures to their respective end-goals. The eternal law is
independent of man; i.e., it is unaffected by mans thoughts for it exists and is true, even
if man does not study or agree with it. The eternal law is based on or learned from the
state of things in nature and human nature.

For example, man discovers the divine/eternal law in:

- the PHYSICAL LAWS which rule non-rational and rational creatures, eg. the law
of gravity, of relativity, rule of aging
- the BIOLOGICAL LAWS which govern the development and functions of living
things, eg. internal digestive, reproductive systems; predictable patterns of
growth
- the MATHEMATICAL LAWS which govern abstract quantity

Natural Law
Aside from the above laws, man acknowledges certain laws which are inherent in
his nature (NATURAL LAW) and which specifically govern his behavior (MORAL LAW).
NATURAL LAW is the participation of eternal law in the rational creature. It provides the
possibilities and potentialities which the human person can use to make human life truly
human. It is called LAW because it is a binding norm that is obeyed after being known. It
is called NATURAL because it prescribes the specific way of acting that corresponds to
human nature.

The NATURAL-MORAL LAW contains universal truths and ethical principles

which ought to guide the individual conduct of man in matters of right and wrong. It
prescribes NORMS of CONDUCT- for the good and happiness of man- which specify
what man ought or ought not to do in order to lead him to the HIGHEST GOOD and
ABSOLUTE END.

Properties of Natural Law

The properties of natural law are UNIVERSALITY and IMMUTABILITY. Both are
a consequence of what natural law is. Because natural law flows from human nature, it
applies to all who share that nature (universality) for as long as their nature continues to
be human (immutability).
The UNIVERSALITY of natural law implies that the rights and duties that it
establishes to all humans by the mere fact of being human. Its obligation is independent
of culture, beliefs, environment, or circumstances. It stems from human nature which all
people possess equally because they are people.
The IMMUTABILITY of natural law flows from the immutability of human nature,
which remains substantially the same at all times.
The passage of time has led to new forms of human organization, changes in
human relations and in general different cultural orientations. However, these changes
never touch what is essential- natural law does not admit dispensations from its first
principles.

Other Characteristics of Natural Law

1. It is obligatory. It is human nature calling itself to be actualized, to be lived
accordingly to its basic and essential demands.
2. It is recognizable. It is imprinted in the human nature and man has the light
of reason to know it. It enables man to recognize self-evident principles such
as do good and avoid evil, honor thy father and thy mother and others.

The Human Law

It is from the precepts of the natural law, as from general principles, that the
human reason needs to proceed to the more particular determinations of certain matters.
These particular determinations, devised by human reason, are called HUMAN LAWS,
provided the other essential conditions of law are observed. A basic condition would be
for the common good of man and society.

References:
Agapay, Ramon B. Ethics and the Filipino. Philippines: Anchanis Press, Inc., 1991.
Burke, Cormac. Conscience and Freedom. Ireland:Four Courts Press, 1977.
Esteban, Esther. Education in Values. Phili:Sinag-Tala Publishing Co., Inc., 1989.
Rice, Charles. 50 Questions on the Natural Law: What It Is and Why We Need It.
San Francisco:Ignatius Press, 1993.