The Evolution of Natural Law

Handbook (chapter)


Crowe, Jonathan. 2024. "The Evolution of Natural Law." Załuski, Wojciech, Bourgeois-Gironde, Sacha and Dyrda, Adam (ed.) Research Handbook on Legal Evolution. United Kingdom. Edward Elgar Publishing. pp. 396-403
Chapter Title

The Evolution of Natural Law

Book Chapter CategoryHandbook (chapter)
ERA Publisher ID1811
Book TitleResearch Handbook on Legal Evolution
AuthorsCrowe, Jonathan
EditorsZałuski, Wojciech, Bourgeois-Gironde, Sacha and Dyrda, Adam
Page Range396-403
SeriesResearch Handbooks in Legal Theory series
Chapter Number25
Number of Pages8
Year2024
PublisherEdward Elgar Publishing
Place of PublicationUnited Kingdom
ISBN9781803921822
9781803921815
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.4337/9781803921822.00039
Web Address (URL)https://www.elgaronline.com/edcollchap/book/9781803921822/book-part-9781803921822-39.xml
Abstract

This chapter examines the evolution of natural law - not natural law ideas or theories, but natural law itself. The chapter begins by exploring how the normative inclinations by which humans identify the content of natural law are shaped and guided by social circumstances and practices. It then discusses two specific mechanisms by which social expressions of natural law evolve: communal norms and value commitments. I argue that these processes play a central role in the development of natural law and should be recognised as such within natural law theories.

Keywordsnatural law
Contains Sensitive ContentDoes not contain sensitive content
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020480410. Legal theory, jurisprudence and legal interpretation
Public Notes

Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions.

Byline AffiliationsSchool of Law and Justice
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/z59xw/the-evolution-of-natural-law

  • 58
    total views
  • 2
    total downloads
  • 4
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Injustice and the Moral Obligation to Obey the Law
Crowe, Jonathan. 2025. "Injustice and the Moral Obligation to Obey the Law." Kirkby, Coel, Sadurski, Wojciech and Walton, Kevin (ed.) Law, Politics and Responding to Injustice . United Kingdom. Routledge. pp. 161-179
Contemporary Natural Law Theory: Finnis and Beyond
Crowe, Jonathan. 2024. "Contemporary Natural Law Theory: Finnis and Beyond." USQ Law Society Law Review. 5 (1), pp. 5-22.
Implementing Affirmative Consent in Sexual Offences: A Model Law for Queensland
Crowe, Jonathan, Flynn, Asher and Lee, Bri. 2024. "Implementing Affirmative Consent in Sexual Offences: A Model Law for Queensland." Batagol, Asher, Seear, Kate, Askola, Heli and Walvisch, Jamie (ed.) The Feminist Legislation Project: Rewriting Laws for Gender-Based Justice. United Kingdom. Routledge. pp. 125-138
Most states now have affirmative sexual consent laws, but not enough people know what they mean
Crowe, Jonathan and Ribeiro, Gianni. 2024. "Most states now have affirmative sexual consent laws, but not enough people know what they mean." The Conversation.
Natural Law with and without God
Crowe, Jonathan. 2024. "Natural Law with and without God." Australian Journal of Law and Religion. 4, pp. 17-33. https://doi.org/10.55803/W085N
Harmonising Sexual Consent Law in Australia: Goals, Risks and Challenges
Hill, Guzyal and Crowe, Jonathan. 2024. "Harmonising Sexual Consent Law in Australia: Goals, Risks and Challenges." Monash University Law Review. 49 (3). https://doi.org/10.26180/25650255
Human Rights in the Natural Law Tradition
Crowe, Jonathan. 2024. "Human Rights in the Natural Law Tradition." Rooney, James Dominic and Zoll, Patrick (ed.) Beyond Classical Liberalism: Freedom and the Good . United Kingdom. Routledge. pp. 190-202
Sovereignty under the Australian Constitution: Why is Section 6 of the Australia Acts Binding on State Parliaments?
Crowe, Jonathan. 2023. "Sovereignty under the Australian Constitution: Why is Section 6 of the Australia Acts Binding on State Parliaments?" University of Queensland Law Journal. 42 (3), pp. 347-369. https://doi.org/10.38127/uqlj.v42i3.8471
Legal Theory
Crowe, Jonathan. 2023. Legal Theory. Australia. Thomson Reuters.