The concept of natural rights as a check to state power evolved in the seventeenth century out of natural law theory. As citizens, the idea went, we tacitly enter into a social contract with the ...

ALC’s critique rests on a number of misunderstandings of my position and of the natural-law tradition. His front-line argument is that, because I have argued that the people of a society hold ...

John of Salisbury gave the name “equity” to this concept of natural law, through which every person is given his rights. "This is the central thesis of Policraticus," said the Pope.

Vatican City, Dec 5, 2008 / 12:12 pm. A commission of theologians is wrapping up a five-year study on the ability of natural law to serve as a set of universal ethics for mankind.