An Essay on the Natural Law and Republican Form of Government

Presenter Information

Robert Taylor

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.

Faculty Mentor(s)

Matthew Altman

Additional Mentoring Department

Philosophy and Religious Studies

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May 16th, 8:40 AM May 16th, 9:00 AM

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.