Click Here to Puruse the old Flyover-press
Please Click ton Ab
Liberty knows no compromise
Click to Subscribe to Our Free Daily News Service
Donate today to help defray the costs of this important free newsletter
A Universal Ethic for All Mankind: A Detailed Review and Synopsis of The Ethics of Liberty
by Murray N. Rothbard
Chapter 1: Natural Law And Reason
Compiled and Edited
by
Dr. Jimmy T. (Gunny) LaBaume
In the controversy over man's nature and "natural law," both sides have repeatedly proclaimed that natural law and theology are inextricably intertwined. Yet, Black's Law Dictionary (3rd ed., p. 1044) defines the natural law in a purely rationalistic and non-theological manner: “ Jus Naturale , the natural law, or law of nature; law, or legal principles, supposed to be discoverable by the light of nature or abstract reasoning, or to be taught by nature to all nations and men alike, or law supposed to govern men and peoples in a state of nature, i.e., in advance of organized governments or enacted laws.”
The believer in a rationally established natural law faces the hostility of two groups. One senses an antagonism toward religion and the other suspects that God and mysticism are being slipped in by the back door.
The first group reflects the extreme position that faith, rather than reason, is the only legitimate tool for investigating man's nature and his proper ends. The second group proclaims man's ability to reason is what allows him to understand and arrive at the laws (physical as well as ethical) of the natural order. However, the statement that there is a natural law order leaves the question open as to whether or not reason was given to man by God. So, in and of itself, such a statement is neither pro- nor anti-religious.
St. Thomas Aquinas emphasized the place and function of reason in moral conduct. He held the view (as did Aristotle) that it is reason which distinguished man from the animals. It is reason that enables man to act deliberately in view of his consciously apprehended ends. Thus, it is reason that raises man above the level of purely instinctive behavior. In the Thomistic tradition, natural law and physical law are ethical. Reason is the instrument by which man apprehends such law—not faith, or intuition, or grace, revelation, or anything else.
Man always acts purposively. However, beyond this, his ends can be apprehended by reason as either objectively good or bad for him. Therefore, there is room for the concept of “right” reason. Using reason to apprehend the objective good for man and dictate the means to its attainment is rational conduct. Moral conduct is conduct in accord with right reason.
Ends are selected by reason and "right reason” dictates proper ends and the means for their attainment. The general law of morality is a special case of the system of natural law governing all entities of the world, each with its own nature and its own ends. There is a vital difference between man and inanimate or even non-human living creatures. The latter are compelled to proceed in accordance with the ends dictated by their natures (instinct). In contrast, man is a “rational” animal. He possesses the ability to reason through which he can discover his ends. He also possesses the free will to choose.
In contrast to natural law, positivistic-relativistic social science (which prevails in academia today) is characterized by the abandonment of reason. Relativism teaches, in effect, that the rational conduct as explained above is not possible. (Editor's Note: It is ironic how they attempt to explain away “reason” by using “reason.”)
Continue to the next chapter...
*Note: We hold no special government issued licenses or permits. We don't accept government subsidies, bailouts, low-cost loans, insurance, or other privileges. We don't lobby for laws that hurt our competitors. We actively oppose protectionism and invite all foreign competitors to try to under price us. We do not lobby for tariffs, quotas, or anti-dumping laws. We do not support the government's budget deficits: we hold no government or agency securities.
To Subscribe to our daily e-mail alert service, send an e-mail with the word "subscribe" on the subject line.
Visit Our Advertisers
Email for Advertising Rates
Use the link or send an email to: adinfo@flyover-press.com