Exploring the Philosophical Legacy of Samuel von Pufendorf: Ethics and Natural Law

Introduction

The philosophical legacy of Samuel von Pufendorf (1632-1694), a prominent figure in the development of modern natural law theory, continues to influence contemporary discussions in ethics and political philosophy. This report aims to explore Pufendorf’s contributions to the fields of ethics and natural law, focusing on his ideas regarding social contract theory, human nature, and the moral duties that arise from natural law. By examining Pufendorf’s work, particularly as articulated in his major texts such as “De Jure Naturae et Gentium” (On the Law of Nature and of Nations), this report will elucidate how his philosophical insights laid the groundwork for later legal and ethical theories, shaping the discourse on individual rights and the nature of justice.

Main Body

Pufendorf’s philosophy emerges in a context marked by the tumult of the Thirty Years’ War and the subsequent quest for order in European political thought. His work is characterized by a systematic approach to natural law, positing that ethic