Keywords
human nature, rule of law, law and morals, law, individualism, constitutionalism, enforcement of morals, principles of rule of law, republican virtue
Abstract
This paper lays out the logic of a conservative view of liberty and morality based on an understanding of human nature as both social and rational on the one hand, and radically individual and self-seeking on the other. Without public virtue, a people cannot govern itself as a free people. But neither virtue nor moral truth can be legislated. The rule of law under constitutionalism is the most successful human arrangement for providing freedom and allowing moral action on the part of individuals.
BYU ScholarsArchive Citation
Reynolds, Noel B., "Morality and the Rule of Law" (1986). Faculty Publications. 1458.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/facpub/1458
Document Type
Presentation
Publication Date
1986-05-03
Permanent URL
http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/3384
Language
English
College
Family, Home, and Social Sciences
Department
Political Science
Copyright Status
Noel B. Reynolds, author and copyright holder Presented 3 May 1986 at Notre Dame University Conference sponsored by Liberty Fund
Copyright Use Information
http://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/