Page "Natural law" Paragraph 54

By way of contrast to Hobbes's multiplicity of laws, Cumberland states in the very first sentence of his Treatise of the Laws of Nature that " all the Laws of Nature are reduc'd to that one, of Benevolence toward all Rationals.

" He later clarifies: " By the name Rationals I beg leave to understand, as well God as Man ; and I do it upon the Authority of Cicero.

" Cumberland argues that the mature development (" perfection ") of human nature involves the individual human willing and acting for the common good.

For Cumberland, human interdependence precludes Hobbes's natural right of each individual to wage war against all the rest for personal survival.

However, Haakonssen warns against reading Cumberland as a proponent of " enlightened self-interest.

" Rather, the " proper moral love of humanity " is " a disinterested love of God through love of humanity in ourselves as well as others.

" Cumberland concludes that actions " principally conducive to our Happiness " are those that promote " the Honour and Glory of God " and also " Charity and Justice towards men.

" Cumberland emphasizes that desiring the well-being of our fellow humans is essential to the " pursuit of our own Happiness.

" He cites " reason " as the authority for his conclusion that happiness consists in " the most extensive Benevolence ," but he also mentions as " Essential Ingredients of Happiness " the " Benevolent Affections ," meaning " Love and Benevolence towards others ," as well as " that Joy, which arises from their Happiness.