A Context for Natural Law
About
4/14/2015
This class focuses on the specific context in which Natural Law can be ascertained.
How is Natural Law related to intuition?
- Through the recollection of patterns
- Through John Rawl’s Theory of Justice
- Through the observation of nature
- By using the law of non-contradiction
- Instinctually, based on collective and generational knowledge
Talcott Parsons and his sociological study focused on dividing people into five groups based on their reactions to problem solving. Dr. Potter, Prof. Sheehan’s advisor in Divinity School at Harvard, takes this one step further by determining that the criteria for each group is determined by their answer to four fundamental questions: Cosmological, Teleological, Ontological, and Epistemological. Based on the answer to each question, the mode ethical reasoning is created, which, in turn, generates a philosophy or a way of viewing the world. Chakras become a part of the discussion as they correlate with each philosophy or worldview that Dr. Potter put forth and Prof. Sheehan later expanded.
Question to ponder for the next class: Can we justify, therefore, imposing mandates upon another being, or should people be able to do whatever they would like?
Readings:
- 9th Amendment and the Evolution of Fundamental Rights Jurisprudence, Indiana Law Journal
- Reserved Powers of the State – (Heritage Foundation)
- Watch – Interview with Laurence Tribe, Colbert Report
- [Watch – Chevron Tapes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l618BhvWkz41.
- History of Natural Law – Heinrich Rommen
- optional
- written in response to Hitler
Notes
- Natural law is the recourse we have to take in dealing with an irrational or authoritarian state