Natural law in social life - read at the International Conference to promote the Taxation of Land Values and Free Trade - Copenhagen July 1926

Sep 21, 2026

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Natural law in social life presents a case for an objective order governing human affairs and argues that it should be discovered and established for the greatest good of humanity. It contrasts human statutes, dependent on organized authority and subject to change, with laws of nature that arise from observed facts and operate with consistent uniformity. The work defines natural law, outlines its attributes as precise and unchanging, and explains different kinds of natural laws, including how consequences follow conformity or attempts to thwart them.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages15

Reading Time38 min

AccessFree to download

Natural Law in Social Life

Definition of Term "Natural Law."

Attributes of Natural Law.

Natural Laws Are of Different Kinds.

97-84086-9Lester,W.R. # Natural law in social life [London] [1926] # COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIESPRESERVATION DIVISIONBIBLIOGRAPHIC MICROFORM TARGET ORIGINAL MATERIAL AS FILMED-EXISTING BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD 308Z Box 336 Lester,VR Hatural lav in social lifei read at the Inter-nationn1 conference to pronote the taxation ofland velus and free trade,Copenhagen,July,1926,by W.R.Lester …rLondon,United comnittee forthe taxation of land values,1926117 p.19 cm。180069 ## RESTRICTIONS ON USE: Reproductions may not be made without permisslon from Columbla Universlty Librarles. # TECHNICAL MICROFORM DATA FILM SIZE: 5mmREDUCTION RATIO:_ 10:/ IB IIB MAGE PLACEMENT:IA DATE FILMED: 5-13-97INITIALS: P6 TRACKING\#: M 2439 FILMED BY PRESERVATION RESOURCES,BETHLEHEM,PA. 9-1731 ## NATURAL LAW IN / ## SOCIAL LIFE Read at the International Conferenceto promote the Taxation of LandValues and Free Trade,Copenhagen,July,r926. BY W. R. LESTER.M.A. 308 Z 36× 33 PRICE THREEPEVCE. The United Commsittee for the Taxatiosof Land Valwes,11 Tothill Street,LondonSW.1 ## NATURAL LAWINSOCIAL LIFE Read at the International Conference toPromote the Taxation of Land Valuesand Free Trade,Copenhagen,July,I926.BYW.R.LESTER,M.A. ## Natural Law in Social Life. "There is in human affairs one order zwhich is thebest.That order is not always the one which exists;buttis the order to hich should exist for the greatest good ofhumanity.God knows it and wills i话；man's duty it isto discover it and establish i话." Nov. 16, 1931DA|ee 一DE LAVELEYE. These words well express the thoughts I am anxiousto develop.It is this order in human affairs,this"greatest good of humanity,"which exists whethermen choose to co-operate with it or not,that I mean byNatural Law in Social Life.This"best possibleorder"is a relationship of man to man,the decree of apower we may describe as God,Nature,Providence,orDestiny,but which,whatever the name,does in factexist and can only be ignored at our peril.As we shall only get clear views by defining terms,let us begin with a definition of the term"law."Webster defines it as“A rule or mode of conduct madeobligatory by some sanction which is imposed or en-forced for its violation by a controlling authority,"andWalker,as“A rule of action;a decree,edict,statuteor custom publicly established." Clearly thesedefinitions deal only with human laws—statutes ofkings and parliaments—established and enforced byorganised human authority.They are the laws of manand not the kind of laws with which I am now dealing.3 ## DEFINITION OF TERM"NATURAL LAW." A law of nature may be defined as a correct deduc-tion or generalisation from observed facts.It is a ruleor principle of nature.When we find by experiencethat one occurrence isnever observed unless in companywith another,we say it is a law of nature that it shouldbe so.Likewise when we find that one occurrenceinvariably precedes or follows another,or when iden-tical conditions invariably lead to identical results,wesay it is a law of nature that it should be so. ## ATTRIBUTES OF NATURAL LAW. These"laws"decree that like causes are invariablyfollowed by like consequences,so that if we desire toattain any given end,a definite course of action must ofnecessity be followed,or we shall surely fail to attainour desire.In other words,the rules of nature must beobserved,whatever the rules or laws of society may sayabout it.These"laws of nature."are sometimestermed“the blind forces of nature.”But no descrip-tion could be more untrue;it is impossible to think ofanything more sure,more precise and more unchangingthan these natural forces.They leave nothing tochance.There never was a change without adequatecause for that change.The whole universe showsintelligence,plan,design.These laws are ever present,ever alert,alw

FAQs

What does the author mean by “natural law” in social life?

Natural law is presented as a correct deduction or generalization from observed facts, describing principles and rules of nature that operate independently of man.

How does natural law differ from human law?

Human laws are made by man, vary over time and place, and can be evaded, while natural laws exist independently, are unchanging, and cannot be evaded.

What are the key attributes of natural law described in the text?

Natural law is characterized as precise, sure, and unchanging, leaving nothing to chance, with design, order, purpose, and intelligence reflected in the universe.

Sep 21, 2026

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