Why did the Framers of the Constitution believe that natural law existed?
They created natural law in order to justify their plans for a democratic government.
They debated its existence through our lawmaking bodies and court system.
They read Greek and Roman philosophies about the creation of natural law.
They acknowledged common moral codes and the existence of the human conscience
as evidence of natural law.
The Framers of the Constitution believed in the existence of natural law for a few reasons. Firstly, they recognized common moral codes that were shared by many societies throughout history. These moral codes, such as the belief in the inherent rights and dignity of individuals, were seen as being derived from a higher authority or natural order. The Framers believed that these rights and principles should form the foundation of a just and stable government.
Additionally, the Framers were influenced by the ideas of Greek and Roman philosophers who discussed the concept of natural law. These philosophers, such as Aristotle and Cicero, argued that there were certain universal, objective principles that governed human behavior and morality.
Furthermore, the belief in natural law helped to provide a moral basis for the democratic principles that the Framers wanted to incorporate into the Constitution. By grounding their ideas in a higher authority or natural order, they sought to justify and legitimize their plans for a democratic government.
It is important to note that the belief in natural law was not universally held by all the Framers, and there were differing opinions and debates about its exact nature and implications. However, the acknowledgement of common moral codes and the existence of the human conscience played a significant role in shaping the Framers' beliefs about natural law and its relevance in the creation of the Constitution.