Sir, Since the ancient Greeks there have been many theories on natural law. One such theory is that it sets absolute moral principles for humanity which has two fundamental characteristics of universality and immutability. These principles are discoverable through reason.
The Stoics believed in a cosmic mind where humankind searched for universal truths. Through enlightenment over the ages many ideals of justice and human rights have found their way into the constitutional laws of many countries. Namely, the right to life, liberty and the principle of non discrimination as regards race, sex and religion.
Thomas Hobbes said that there is no such thing as an unjust law. Morality has nothing to do with law. Natural lawyers of courses would not agree. Some people believe that natural law does not exist at all, but that there are only positive or man made laws to meet the needs of society.
Natural law has under one periods of popularity and decline with the vicissitudes of history. It seems to take a human catastrophe to bring it to prominence. Following the second World War, we saw the emergence of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights.
Approaching the end of the 20th century, which is said to be the most violent in human history, one would wonder about the status of natural law in the world community. Yours, etc., Pembroke Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.