The concept of Natural Law has an extensive history in western thought. Natural law formed the basis of law in the American common law tradition for much of the early years of the American republic, although that tradition has been largely abandoned in favor of an essentially positivistic interpretation of law.

The precept of Natural Law asserts that there exists a common foundation in human ethics, and that this cornerstone of human ethics indicates the existence of an objective moral sense which is inherent to human nature. The philosophic derivation of the Natural Law is thus:

1. Humans, like all things, have an inherent nature, and that this nature is imbued by Nature or the Creator. (Sometimes referred to as Conscience/Deep Conscience)
2. From this nature can be derived a set of essential properties. (In theological schools an implication of Design)
3. That these derived properties have a right and proper use. (In theology the specifics of Design)
4. That the right or wrong use of such properties result in sets of consequences. (This can be interpreted as effectively consequentialist)

By the above sequence of deductions, we can define Natural Law as being Universal, non-man-made, binding, and immutable conditions which govern the consequences of human behavior.

It is important to note that Natural Law is not synonymous with “Darwinism” or the “Law of the Jungle”. Natural law, as it applies to humans, is distinct from other entities and forces in nature, because human nature has qualities that are unique to humans. Natural law for dogs, cats, lions, chimps, and amoebas are distinct from humans and even each other because these entities have unique natures which distinguish them from other classes of beings.