The reader should note that the abbreviation “h” (hic) is used to indicate when a reference is to a different passage in the book just cited.
Footnotes in this edition have been kept to a minimum. Notes in square brackets are those of the original translator. There are very few references to other authors in the original text, presumably because Wolff believed that the truth ought to be evident from the argument itself, though there are numerous references to passages in his other works. The abbreviations used to refer to these works are explained below.
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| Cosmol. | Christian Wolff, Cosmologia generalis, methodo scientifica pertractata, qua ad solidam, inprimis Dei atque naturae cognitionem via sternitur (Frankfurt, 1731). |
| Disc. Praelim. | “Discursus praeliminaris de philosophia in genere,” in Christian Wolff, Philosophia rationalis sive logica, methodo scientifica pertractata (Frankfurt and Leipzig, 1728). |
| Jus Nat. | Christian Wolff, Jus naturae methodo scientifica pertractatum, 8 vols. (Frankfurt and Leipzig/Halle and Magdeburg, 1740–48). |
| Log. | Christian Wolff, Philosophia rationalis sive logica, methodo scientifica pertractata (Frankfurt and Leipzig, 1728). |
| Ontol. | Christian Wolff, Philosophia prima sive ontologia methodo scientifica pertractata (Frankfurt and Leipzig, 1730). |
| Phil. Pract. Univ. | Christian Wolff, Philosophia practica universalis, methodo scientifica pertractata (Frankfurt and Leipzig, 1738–39). |
| Psych. Emp. | Christian Wolff, Psychologia empirica, methodo scientifica pertractata (Frankfurt, 1732). |
| Psych. Rat. | Christian Wolff, Psychologia rationalis, methodo scientifica pertractata (Frankfurt, 1734). |
| Theol. Nat. | Christian Wolff, Theologia naturalis, methodo scientifica pertractata (Frankfurt, 1736–37). |
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THE LAW OF NATIONS TREATED ACCORDING TO THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
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THE LAW OF NATIONS TREATED ACCORDING TO THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
In which the Natural Law of Nations is carefully distinguished from that which is voluntary, stipulative and customary
by
CHRISTIAN WOLFF
State Counselor of the Most Powerful King of the Swedes and of the Landgrave of Hesse, Principal Professor of Mathematics and Philosophy in the University of Marburg, Honorary Professor of St. Petersburg, Member of the Royal Academy of Sciences of Paris and of the Royal Societies of England and of Russia
A more accurate and polished edition than the preceding ones
FRANKFURT AND LEIPZIG
1764
At the Expense of the Venetian Society
By the authority and with the privileges granted by the Government
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TO THE MOST EXCELLENT AND SERENE
WILLIAM CHARLES
HENRY FRISO
PRINCE OF ORANGE AND NASSAU, etc., etc., etc.
Hereditary Stadtholder of the Whole Confederacy of the Netherlands,
Commander-in-chief of the Military and Naval Forces,
and Perpetual Ruler of the East Indies,
etc., etc., etc.
Who Is Most Benign:
That eternal and unchangeable law, which nature herself has established, governs all the acts of individuals as well as those of nations also, by prescribing duties both toward themselves and toward each other. And just as it has united individuals to each other by the closest bond and has established among them a certain society, so that one human being is necessary to another, and nothing is more useful to man than man; so by no less close a bond has it united nations, and moulded them into one enormous state, so that nation is necessary to nation, and nothing is more useful to nation than nation. Indeed, just as it provides for the happiness of individual humans, so also does it provide for that of individual nations, which is promoted and preserved by mutual assistance. Therefore the entire human race is likened to a living body whose individual members are individual nations, and it retains unimpaired health so long as the individual members perform their functions properly. The rulers of nations give life to the members of this body, since the members are as it were endowed with the bare capacity to act, and their power to act rightly is derived from the rulers, as long as they are controlled by the wisdom and foresight of the rulers, so that they are kept healthful, and contribute what they ought to the healthfulness of the body as a whole. For that reason the rulers of states tower above their
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nations, just as the soul is superior to the body, and as the law of their nations abides in them, so also do that intellect and will, without which it is not possible to use that law. It has seemed fitting to communicate a knowledge of this law by that method which I have used in all of the law of nature and in other departments of philosophy, so that the truth can be clearly seen. But since, indeed, the force of examples is very great, both in knowledge and action, an example ought to be cited. But why should I seek an ancient example, when I may use one present and living? For Your Highness offers an example of such a nature that, if all rulers of states would follow it, there would be no complaints of the misfortunes of the times. Your skill in action, your wisdom and foresight, your love of humanity implanted in you by nature, your desire to give consideration to the welfare of those who repose all confidence as to their well-being in you, your zeal in promoting the fortunes of others without advantage to yourself, and finally, to mention nothing else, that exalted and perfect reputation, in which you excel, has induced the citizens of the whole Confederacy of the Netherlands, by unanimous consent in these most troublous times, as though filled by a certain divine inspiration, to desire to have you, Most Serene Prince, as governor, supreme commander in war on land and sea, and perpetual ruler of the East Indies. Such is your kindness that you have readily consented to their pleas and have willingly assumed this very heavy burden. Now you shine like the sun among the planets throughout the allied provinces, but you are never idle. For just as the sun by its power keeps the planets in their orbits and preserves the whole system by mutual actions and reactions, so that the individual planets complete their circuits around it according to fixed law; so also Your Highness holds the allied provinces united together by a very strong bond of union, and while the performance of duties demanded by mutual affection is secured, their entire system exists in such a form that each province enjoys those blessings which produce a happy state. The artist has portrayed this elegantly on the gold medal, by which the memory of the hereditary rule over the whole of the Confederacy of the Netherlands conferred upon Your Highness, is handed down to posterity. Since, Most Gracious Master, contrary to all my hope and expectation I have been honoured by you with that decoration; wherever learned men have recognized therefrom and publicly honoured your patronage