Natural order (philosophy)

In philosophy, the natural order is the moral source from which natural law seeks to derive its authority. Natural order encompasses the natural relations of beings to one another in the absence of law, which natural law attempts to reinforce. This is related to karma. In contrast, divine law seeks authority from God, and positive law seeks authority from government.

Not to be confused with Ordo naturalis, a grouping of organisms formerly used in biology

The term is used by Hans-Hermann Hoppe in his book, Democracy: The God That Failed: The Economics and Politics of Monarchy, Democracy, and Natural Order, to defend anarcho-capitalism.

The term is used by Friedrich Hayek in his writings.

The Physiocrats, a group of 18th century Enlightenment French philosophers, had firm faith in the philosophy of natural order. According to them it is an ideal order given to them by God, which allowed human beings to live together in an ideal society. The natural laws are the expression of the will of God. Thus, men did not come together via a somewhat arbitrary "social contract". Rather, they had to discover the laws of the natural order that would allow them to live in a society without losing significant freedoms.

Natural order aimed at securing pleasure to the people, and increasing the rights of the people without imposing any restrictions on their liberty. The physiocrats believed that natural order maintained equilibrium in nature. The concept of natural order produced certain important practical results. It implied that only under conditions of freedom, man can enjoy the maximum happiness and derive maximum advantage in economic matters.[1]

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