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Locke, natural law, and the basis of religious sincerity

Author Affiliations

  • 1Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts, University of Bamenda, Bamenda, Cameroon

Int. Res. J. Social Sci., Volume 10, Issue (1), Pages 52-57, January,14 (2021)

Abstract

This paper unveils the belief that there exist some natural duties that individuals are obliged to fulfill. This permits one to abandon the hopeless question of sovereignty in the state. The various means to gain access to the content of natural law with complete certainty is also an indispensable preoccupation. First, the possibility of arriving at this knowledge is thanks to the dependence on the natural faculties of the individual. Second, by demonstrating that God exists while laying much emphasis on the argument from design. An omniscient God who is the creator of the universe and everything in it would not have created human beings without giving them certain objectives to attain or purposes in their lives to be fulfilled. Individuals are expected to refer to their natural duties. The content of our natural duties is deduced through a rational reflection on ones own human nature. These rational and inherent reflections are those that force people to act through three different natural duties. First, people always owe themselves the duty to ponder over the creations of God based on his knowledge that is manifested and evident in nature. The second duty is to be involved in praiseworthy activities involving God worship, adoration and honor which an omnipotent and benevolent God that he is deserves. Third, man must not only be concerned about the satisfaction of material needs as a prerequisite to a happy life but should equally partake in societal activities through speech, language, and the preservation of his life in particular and those of others in general.

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