Do you believe in "natural rights"?

[John Scott]

Yes, no or maybe?

[djmc]

It sounds like something in a Barack Obama speech.....

[m42]

Yes.

[John Scott]

Originally Posted by m42

Yes.

Ouch. That hurts. Et tu, Brute?

[m42]

You asked for yes or no. Not an explanation.

With natural law comes the right to believe in natural law. So that by default would cause me to believe in at least one natural right and force me to answer your question affirmatively. Would you care to restate your question?

[John Scott]

Why do you believe in natural law?

[Jacob34]

I have to say Yes too

[m42]

I believe natural law provides a measure of societal order.

EDIT: Are you an anarchist?

[Jacob34]

Originally Posted by m42

I believe natural law provides a measure of societal order.

Rep give!

[John Scott]

Originally Posted by m42

I believe natural law provides a measure of societal order.

EDIT: Are you an anarchist?

Not an anarchist.

I thought you liked John Locke?

Natural law doesn't exist. We create law via the social contract, IMHO. (<- "h" doesn't really belong in there.)

[m42]

I do like John Locke.

The Social Contract merely transfers the role of interpretation and enforcement of natural law to a more tangible entity.

[Cricket]

Lord I love watching the two of you debate. This is gonna prove to be interesting.

[m42]

Originally Posted by Cricket

Lord I love watching the two of you debate. This is gonna prove to be interesting.

I have a hunch we don't entirely disagree on this one.

BTW. Love the new pic! It's nice to put a face to a handle.

[m42]

OK, John. As you've questioned my devotion to Locke, I've pulled out my nifty nightstand copy of Locke on Government by DA Lloyd Thomas.

'Natural law' in Locke refers not to scientific laws governing physical processes, but to normative laws. Natural laws in Locke are laws in accordance with which human conduct ought to occur, not laws in accordance with which people always do act" - pg. 15

"Natural rights seem to be regarded by Locke as rights of control people have over themselves. They are rights of self-ownership: 'every man has property in his own person' (II.27). These rights protect you in controlling yourself so long as what you do is consistent with the self-ownership rights of everyone else." pg. 18

[Jacob34]

I would get into this but I'm to scared I would lose a hand

[jabo]

Originally Posted by Cricket

Lord I love watching the two of you debate. This is gonna prove to be interesting.

conflicts can start something interesting and somethings that natural rights can't stop. something romantic maybe? between the two of them...lol

[watley]

Originally Posted by m42

OK, John. As you've questioned my devotion to Locke, I've pulled out my nifty nightstand copy of Locke on Government by DA Lloyd Thomas.

Sweet Jesus. You have a nightstand copy of Locke to hand? See, this is why I never come in the politics forum. My nightstand is not serious enough.

*backing slowly out of room*

[earthbound soul]

politics is so conflicting, the debate is never ending, that's why i don't like it much....

[John Scott]