Hugo Grotius Challenge To Natural Law

Hugo Grotius found his first serious challenge towards Natural Law posed by Euphemus, a nonbeliever, who stated that Justice always favors the powerful and “…no state can be governed without Injustice” (Grotius p. 77). Euphemus believes that the only determinant of Justice was war, itself and, “…nothing is more frequent than the mentioning of Right and Arms…” (77). Grotius fires back at Euphemus’ argument, borrowing from a Christian writer who states, “Fraud, Cruelty, Injustice, are the proper Business of War” (78). From this quote, Grotius is attempting to prove that, not only does he find war bad, but even Christians see it as a terrible means to determine Justice. He backs this claim up even more by using a quote from a Comedian, “You that attempt to fix by certain Rules things so uncertain, may with like Success strive to run mad, and yet preserve your Reason” (78). Grotius finds it comedic that humans would even try to put rules on war when in …show more content…
Every Philosopher who discredits Natural Law says there is nothing given to us from Nature because Nature cannot grant humans anything. Grotius, in response to these beliefs, says that just as animals wish to do good for their own, “The same may be said of Infants, in whom is to be seen a Propensity to do Good to others, before they are capable of Instruction” (Grotius pp. 83-84). In his appeal, Grotius references Plutarch who once spoke of the “Inclination of Children” stating that his daughter wanted to share her belongings with not just other children, but also her toys. Infants have proved to have this innate Natural Law – there is no other explanation for their capability to show compassion towards others because society certainly could not have taught them this due to being too young to understand. This, as well, proves that humans, even at a young age, have never, and will never, be