An Essay on the Natural Law and Republican Form of Government
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
SURC 202
Start Date
16-5-2013
End Date
16-5-2013
Abstract
What law compels humankind to construct governments? Does such law also compel humans in while doing the same to construct a specific form of government? Additionally and most importantly, is such law a universal law or, in other words, an inherent law of nature to compel humans to form governments? Granted, most of society can agree to the first law that we ought to construct a government. That said, there ought to be a law that compels humankind to construct, if not a perfect form of government, at least more perfect government. This paper contends that a more perfect government for society is the republican form of government. The republic can be defended as a more perfect system through a secular natural law derived from reason. Namely, by hybridizing the democracy and Philosopher King aristocracy of the Plato’s republic, one can arrive at the republican form of government. Additionally, via the moral philosophy of Immanuel Kant, the government is able to overcome the criticisms of a representative democracy via the notion of unalienable natural rights. Therefore, in summary, it shall be demonstrated that a more perfect form of government is the republican form of government.
Recommended Citation
Taylor, Robert, "An Essay on the Natural Law and Republican Form of Government" (2013). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 129.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2013/oralpresentations/129
Additional Mentoring Department
Philosophy and Religious Studies
An Essay on the Natural Law and Republican Form of Government
SURC 202
What law compels humankind to construct governments? Does such law also compel humans in while doing the same to construct a specific form of government? Additionally and most importantly, is such law a universal law or, in other words, an inherent law of nature to compel humans to form governments? Granted, most of society can agree to the first law that we ought to construct a government. That said, there ought to be a law that compels humankind to construct, if not a perfect form of government, at least more perfect government. This paper contends that a more perfect government for society is the republican form of government. The republic can be defended as a more perfect system through a secular natural law derived from reason. Namely, by hybridizing the democracy and Philosopher King aristocracy of the Plato’s republic, one can arrive at the republican form of government. Additionally, via the moral philosophy of Immanuel Kant, the government is able to overcome the criticisms of a representative democracy via the notion of unalienable natural rights. Therefore, in summary, it shall be demonstrated that a more perfect form of government is the republican form of government.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Matthew Altman