Chapter 3 explores the profound ways in which law—both natural and moral—shapes human life and society. It begins with the Laws of Nature familiar from science, such as gravity and motion, which govern the physical world with unbreakable regularity. The chapter then turns to Natural Law in the moral sense: the universal principles of right and wrong accessible to human reason, as classically developed by Thomas Aquinas building on Aristotle and earlier thinkers. While affirming the power of this tradition, the chapter also examines some practical challenges in applying Natural Law consistently. Central to the discussion is the relationship between rights and responsibilities, illustrated through the famous Prisoner’s Dilemma thought experiment. This game theory scenario reveals how self-interest, trust, and cooperation intersect in moral decision-making—and why stable societies require more than mere calculation. To prepare for these ideas, watch the short video below on the Prisoner’s Dilemma and its real-world applications in everyday life before reading the chapter.
This game theory problem will change the way you see the world
Now read chapter 3 and consider these questions:
Can a scientist who accepts unbreakable physical laws (such as gravity) consistently deny the existence of a transcendent Lawgiver who grounds moral laws? Why or why not?
Why has the concept of Natural Law been both widely influential and deeply controversial throughout history and in modern society?
Beyond the Dred Scott decision (1857), identify and explain at least two other historical laws, court rulings, or societal practices that have been widely criticized as violations of Natural Law. What is the violation and what is the remedy?
Drawing on the chapter’s understanding of rights as inseparably linked to responsibilities, explain how the Tit-for-Tat strategy from the Prisoner’s Dilemma could guide personal ethical decisions in everyday life and professional practices in business.
In light of the Prisoner’s Dilemma and the balance of rights and responsibilities, how might greater cooperation—rooted in mutual trust and fairness—strengthen American society and help restore civic unity?