In today's law, a certain type of law is apparent, while many may not know exactly when it originated, or who came up with these legal philosophies. These men, who go back as far as 400 B.C.E., are known as Natural philosophers and originated many of the laws we know today. The philosophers include Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Dworkin, and Locke, among others. These Natural philosophers have all uniquely contributed to the development of Natural Law, and they have all shaped what our world is like today.
The first Natural philosopher to leave an impact on our lives was a man named Socrates. He lived throughout the long Peloponnesian War, but it would be his stand against the government that would make him famous. Socrates did not agree with the government's views, therefore he expressed his negative opinions to everyone. He crushed everyone's dream of a Utopian society and stated that there will never be a perfect society. This would, however, be a bad move on his part as society did not look kindly on his opinions and was then sentenced to death. However, his life would leave an everlasting impact on one of his close followers, who, would in turn express Socrates" opinions even after his mentor's death.
Born in 428 B.C.E., Plato had the "privilege" of living throughout the Peloponnesian War and its aftermath. Throughout his early years, he was associated with his mentor Socrates, which would turn out to be a bad thing throughout his later years. Because of his association with Socrates, Athens was unsafe for him because society seemed to hate everyone that stood up against the government. Socrates" death hit Plato hard, but he vowed to continue to praise Socrates. And he did so, until his death, years later.
Another influential Natural philosopher was born in 384 B.C.E. Aristotle, son of the court physician of the King of Macedonia, studied under Plato for nearly 20 years and was the "Father of Rationalism.