| a principle or body of laws considered as derived from nature, right reason, or religion and as ethically binding in human society. |
| natural law n. A law or body of laws that derives from nature and is believed to be binding upon human actions apart from or in conjunction with laws established by human authority. |
| Main Entry: | natural law |
| Part of Speech: | n |
| Definition: | See scientific law |
The doctrine that human affairs should be governed by ethical principles that are part of the very nature of things and that can be understood by reason. The first two paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence contain a clear statement of the doctrine.
