Abstract

This book is an examination of the natural law foundations of political institutions, including the American Constitution. Behind every political society are found arguments of reason that justify human life and society in the first place. In a real sense, Arkes spells out Aquinas's fundamental premise that the natural law is "what is reasonable." Behind any constitution lies the idea of logic itself, of reason, of contradiction, and of good sense. These principles of good order are not established by any written document but are elaborated by it.