Thomas Aquinas is credited as one of the greatest proponents of natural law. During his time in Cologne he was taught by Albertus Magnus. Magnus used the teachings of Aristotle in his mentorship of Thomas Aquinas.

Samuel Adams believed in American Independence from Great Britain. He is one of the most well know Son's of Liberty. On August 1, 1776 he gave a speech to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia.

William Wilberforce has been called an agitator for his commitment to ending the slave trade. One of his well known speeches on the subject was given on May 12, 1789.

This month this community will focus on Natural Law. What is Natural Law? How is it applied in real world situations? What are the alternatives to Natural Law? These are some of the issues that will be discussed this month.

Rabow-Edling released this book in 2025 for the 200th anniversary of the Decembrist Revolt. My knowledge about this event was limited to the page or two that would be covered in Russian history books that spanned centuries. I got this book from the library and looked forward to learning more.

She began by writing about the current view of the Decembrists in Russia today and how their ideals are antithetical to the current ruling class. The Decembrists were members of the aristocracy. They had lands and titles. They also fought in the Napoleonic wars. They traveled across Europe and saw the differences between those countries and their own. Russia still practiced serfdom.

These men longed for liberty. Rabow-Edling writes about how they believed in heroic sacrifice. She also notes several times how the Decembrists were unique because they acted against their own self interest. They were wealthy, well educated, and had a bright future. Yet they were disillusioned with the Russian government. ...

“If any ask me what a free government is, I answer, that, for any practical purpose, it is what the people think so,and that they, and not I, are the natural, lawful, and competent judges of this matter.”

Edmund Burke