Cheerag Goel, Bennett University
ABSTRACT
Philosophers, theologians, and lawyers have been debating and researching the idea of natural law for centuries. Natural law's fundamental claim is that the universe has an innate moral order that may be found out through reason and careful study of the natural world. It is said that this moral code applies to all people, regardless of their culture, religion, or other characteristics. The writings of Plato and Aristotle, in particular, are where the concept of natural law first emerged. Theorists like St. Thomas Aquinas, who incorporated natural law into Catholic theology, and John Locke, who utilised it to defend the notion of individual rights and limited government, further developed and improved it. The idea that some fundamental rights and obligations are intrinsic to human beings is one of the core tenants of natural law. They include the freedoms of life, liberty, and property as well as the obligations to respect others' rights and behave morally. The notion that human law ought to be based on and consistent with the principles of natural law is another significant feature of natural law. This means that laws ought to be fair, logical, and geared towards advancing the general welfare. A law is seen to be illegal and subject to justified disobedience if it contravenes natural law principles. Natural law has had a significant impact on contemporary political philosophy, ethics, and legal theory, among other fields of study. Natural law continues to be a crucial framework for comprehending the connection between morality, law, and human nature while being a difficult and contentious idea. The philosophy of natural law is a school of thought that contends there are ethics and moral standards found in nature that may be understood by reason and sight. Regardless any cultural or religious variations, it is thought that these truths hold true for all people and communities.
Keywords: Natural Law theory, Indian legal system, Jurisprudence, Legal philosophy, Dharma
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