Nature, reason and morality : some aspects of the history of the doctrine of natural law
The present work is concerned with that theme of European political, moral and legal discourse generally called 'natural law'. The candidate writes as one who is by temperament and training more of an historian than a philosopher. Indeed, his purpose is largely to bring together, within a single volume, a more extensive historical treatment and definition than the subject has received in the past. But, in spite of the title, it has also been the candidate's aim to glance in a critical spirit at the claims made by the exponents of natural law. This is not to say that he is concerned with natural law as an 'ideology', however. Neither is he concerned with any more general argument as to how the term 'ideology' might most sensibly be used. In short, it is not his intention to try to assess or account for the force of 'natural- law talk' as an inspiration to action. Rather, his aim IS the more modest one of discovering what sense, if any, is to be made of the assertion that (to quote from p.1) 'our moral and political activity ought to be carried on in conformity with certain principles of right conduct which are somehow 'built-in' to reality itself'. Undoubtedly, any conclusions reached will be exceedingly provisional
Dyson, Robert William
Philosophy
Nature, reason and morality : some aspects of the history of the doctrine of natural law. The present work is concerned with that theme of European political, moral and legal discourse generally called 'natural law'. The candidate writes as one who is by temperament and training more of an historian than a philosopher. Indeed, his purpose is largely to bring together, within a single volume, a more extensive historical treatment and definition than the subject has received in the past. But, in spite of the title, it has also been the candidate's aim to glance in a critical spirit at the claims made by the exponents of natural law. This is not to say that he is concerned with natural law as an 'ideology', however. Neither is he concerned with any more general argument as to how the term 'ideology' might most sensibly be used. In short, it is not his intention to try to assess or account for the force of 'natural- law talk' as an inspiration to action. Rather, his aim IS the more modest one of discovering what sense, if any, is to be made of the assertion that (to quote from p.1) 'our moral and political activity ought to be carried on in conformity with certain principles of right conduct which are somehow 'built-in' to reality itself'. Undoubtedly, any conclusions reached will be exceedingly provisional
nature reason morality aspect history doctrine natural_law present_work concerned theme european political moral legal discourse generally call natural_law candidate write temperament training historian philosopher indeed purpose largely bring_together within_single volume extensive historical treatment definition subject receive past spite title also candidate aim glance critical spirit claim_make exponent natural_law say concern natural_law ideology however neither concerned general argument term ideology might use short intention try ass account force natural law talk inspiration action rather aim modest sense make assertion quote moral_political activity ought carry conformity certain principle right conduct somehow built reality itself undoubtedly conclusion_reach provisional