Philosophical Challenges and Prospects for Natural Law Foundations of Human Rights

Edited book (chapter)

Crowe, Jonathan. 2022. "Philosophical Challenges and Prospects for Natural Law Foundations of Human Rights." Angier, T.om, Benson, Iain and Retter, Mark (ed.) The Cambridge Handbook of Natural Law and Human Rights. United Kingdom. Cambridge University Press. pp. 485-499
Chapter Title

Philosophical Challenges and Prospects for Natural Law Foundations of Human Rights

Book Chapter CategoryEdited book (chapter)
ERA Publisher ID1418
Book TitleThe Cambridge Handbook of Natural Law and Human Rights
AuthorsCrowe, Jonathan
EditorsAngier, T.om, Benson, Iain and Retter, Mark
Page Range485-499
SeriesCambridge Law Handbooks
Chapter Number32
Number of Pages15
Year2022
PublisherCambridge University Press
Place of PublicationUnited Kingdom
ISBN9781108939225
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108939225.039
Web Address (URL)https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/cambridge-handbook-of-natural-law-and-human-rights/philosophical-challenges-and-prospects-for-natural-law-foundations-of-human-rights/F9EBD5BC1195D12F89D8B8E44915F410
Abstract

This chapter explores some philosophical quandaries facing the natural law outlook, with particular emphasis on the prospects for a natural law account of human rights. The chapter begins by considering challenges to natural law’s reliance on the notion of human nature. It then examines the role of time in natural law theories, focusing on the question of whether natural law changes. Next, the chapter looks at the place of rights in the natural law tradition, critically discussing the suggestion that the notion of rights is at odds with the core themes of the natural law outlook, before considering what natural law has to offer to human rights theory. Finally, I turn to the place of God within natural law theories, raising the issue of whether natural law assumes a theistic worldview. I argue throughout the chapter that a hermeneutic and historicised view of natural law, which sees it as shaped by and discovered through human social practices, holds important advantages in responding to each of these challenges.

KeywordsLaw; Legal Philosophy; Philosophy; Jurisprudence
Contains Sensitive ContentDoes not contain sensitive content
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020480410. Legal theory, jurisprudence and legal interpretation
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Byline AffiliationsBond University
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