What do people owe one another by the law of nature?

Translation: quotations from Samuel von Pufendorf are quoted in Basil Kennett's 1729 English translation (with others; 4th edition, with Barbeyrac's notes); quoted in Andrew Tooke's 1735 English translation, not his original words.

OCR: 11 cited passage(s) are machine-read (OCR) text of old printings; quotations reproduce the stored OCR text, misreadings included.

1. WHAT HE SAID (the record)

Record ledger

• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing; quoted in Basil Kennett's 1729 English translation (with others; 4th edition, with Barbeyrac's notes)): Samuel von Pufendorf believed that people owe one another obligations of mutual and non-mutual nature, with some producing perfect rights and others only imperfect rights, depending on the relationship and context, such as between parents and children, masters and servants, or individuals and God. [1]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing; quoted in Basil Kennett's 1729 English translation (with others; 4th edition, with Barbeyrac's notes)): Samuel von Pufendorf believed that people in a just cause of war may disregard formalities and govern themselves purely by the Law of Nature, unless it is in their interest to observe them. This implies that by the Law of Nature, people are not universally bound by formalities, but must act in accordance with natural law. (key quote above) [2]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing; quoted in Basil Kennett's 1729 English translation (with others; 4th edition, with Barbeyrac's notes)): Samuel von Pufendorf believed that by the law of nature, people owe one another mutual obligation to observe peace and the laws of nature, and that this duty is reciprocal. If someone breaks these laws, they forfeit their right to expect others to maintain peace toward them. [3]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing; quoted in Basil Kennett's 1729 English translation (with others; 4th edition, with Barbeyrac's notes)): Samuel von Pufendorf believes that people are obligated to conform to a most general and universal rule of human actions, which he calls natural law, as they are reasonable creatures. This law is binding on the whole human race and is not subject to change. "it follows, that we make Enquiry into that moft general and univerfal Rule of human Anions, to which every Man is oblig'd to conform, as he is a reafonable Creature." [4]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing; quoted in Basil Kennett's 1729 English translation (with others; 4th edition, with Barbeyrac's notes)): Samuel von Pufendorf believed that people owe one another certain mutual offices by the law of nature, which are not dependent on any antecedent agreement between them. However, he also argued that these natural obligations are not the only duties people have towards each other, as additional obligations arise from covenants and agreements. [5]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing; quoted in Basil Kennett's 1729 English translation (with others; 4th edition, with Barbeyrac's notes)): Samuel von Pufendorf believes that people owe one another peace by the law of nature, as it is instituted by nature itself and not by human agreement. He argues that this obligation is based on the fact that humans are reasonable creatures and that no additional covenant or league is necessary to enforce it, as the law of nature already binds them. [6]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing; quoted in Basil Kennett's 1729 English translation (with others; 4th edition, with Barbeyrac's notes)): Samuel von Pufendorf believed that people owe one another by the law of nature, based on a common obligation laid upon mankind, to observe and perform covenants and agreements, and that this obligation is distinct from those arising from express or implied covenants. [7]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing; quoted in Basil Kennett's 1729 English translation (with others; 4th edition, with Barbeyrac's notes)): Samuel von Pufendorf believes that the Law of Nature is derived from the condition of man and that its fundamental law is based on reason and the end of creation. He argues that the principles of natural right are discovered by the light of reason. [8]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing; quoted in Andrew Tooke's 1735 English translation): Samuel von Pufendorf believed that people owe one another obligations based on the law of nature, which include duties to live in a community and refrain from using force to exact what they consider their due. He argued that these obligations are not enforced by courts in this world but are reserved for divine judgment. "the breaking of them does not fall under the Punifhment of any Court in this World ; but yet it is referved for the Judg- ment of the Tribunal of GOD." [9]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing; quoted in Andrew Tooke's 1735 English translation): Samuel von Pufendorf believed that among the duties men owe to each other, one of the most important is to esteem and treat others as naturally equal to oneself, based on the shared human nature and the need for mutual respect in society. [10]

What cuts against it

• ACTION (undated; OCR of an old printing; quoted in Basil Kennett's 1729 English translation (with others; 4th edition, with Barbeyrac's notes)): Samuel von Pufendorf's writings suggest that he may have held views on the treatment of enslaved people that were inconsistent with his stated principles of natural law and equality. However, the record does not provide direct evidence of his actions in this regard. [1]

2. HOW IT APPLIES (reasoning; inference is marked)

1. Samuel von Pufendorf believed that people owe one another mutual obligations by the law of nature, including the duty to observe peace and the laws of nature. [3]

2. He argued that these obligations are reciprocal and that if someone breaks these laws, they forfeit their right to expect others to maintain peace toward them. [3]

3. He also believed that people owe one another to treat each other as equals and to allow others equal privileges. [11]

4. Additionally, he held that people are obligated to conform to a most general and universal rule of human actions, which he called natural law, as they are reasonable creatures. [4]

5. However, his belief that people in a just cause of war may disregard formalities and govern themselves purely by the Law of Nature introduces a tension in his views on the universality of natural law obligations. [2]

3. HIS TAKE

Record coverage: DIRECT

The record directly addresses the question of what people owe one another by the law of nature. Samuel von Pufendorf's writings indicate that he believed in mutual obligations, including peace, equality, and adherence to natural law.

Extrapolation: Samuel von Pufendorf believed that people owe one another mutual obligations by the law of nature, including the duty to observe peace, treat each other as equals, and conform to a universal rule of human actions. However, he also acknowledged that in certain contexts, such as just war, people may govern themselves purely by the Law of Nature, which introduces a tension in the universality of these obligations.

Competing readings: The record supports the reading that Samuel von Pufendorf believed in mutual obligations by the law of nature, but also acknowledges that in certain contexts, such as just war, people may govern themselves purely by the Law of Nature. This introduces a tension in the universality of these obligations.

Confidence: Moderate

The confidence in this extrapolation is moderate due to the tension introduced by his belief that people in a just cause of war may disregard formalities and govern themselves purely by the Law of Nature. This suggests that while he believed in mutual obligations, there are exceptions based on context.