Ep. 171 - First Principles of the American Founding: The Declaration of Independence and Natural Law

In drafting the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson put a specific emphasis on natural law and weaved that theme throughout the entire document.  While the Declaration of Independence did not create the new United States government. it severed ties with our previous government so a new one could be formed, and set out important principles upon which our new government would be based. What exactly is natural law, of which Jefferson so eloquently wrote?  How do we "know" these "self-evident" truths?  From what further historical inspiration did Jefferson derive the Declaration Independence?  To help us unravel the philosophical foundation of this groundbreaking document, we are pleased to have Tony Williams, author and Senior Teaching Fellow at the Bill of Rights Institute, returning to join our student panel as we begin a new series on the timeless principles of the American founding.