Question

which of the following statements best paraphrases the content below?

the natural law ethical system holds that there is a universal set of rights and wrongs that is like many religious beliefs, but without reference to a specific supernatural figure.....natural law is an ethical system wherein no difference is recognized between physical laws—such as the law of gravity—and moral laws. morality is part of the natural order of the universe.
source: pollack, jocelyn m. ethical dilemmas and decisions in criminal justice. 10th ed., e - book, cengage, 2008.

• the natural law ethical system argues that morality is a religious system, albeit without a god or gods. its moral laws are as real as physical laws.
• the natural law ethical system argues that even without gods, morality exists (sec. 2 - 1b).
• pollack notes that the natural law ethical system argues that morality is universal (sec. 2 - 1b).
• pollack notes that the natural law ethical system argues that what is moral, or moral law, is universal, just like the physical law of gravity (sec. 2 - 1b).

Explanation:

To determine the best paraphrase, we analyze each option:

• First option: The original text says natural law is "like many religious beliefs" but not that morality is a religious system. So this is incorrect.
• Second option: The original text has more details about the relationship between moral and physical laws, not just that morality exists without gods. So this is too simplistic.
• Third option: The original text also emphasizes the similarity between moral laws and physical laws (like gravity), not just that morality is universal. So this misses a key point.
• Fourth option: It captures the main points: Pollack (the source) notes that natural law ethical system argues moral law is universal, similar to physical law (like gravity), which matches the original text's description.

Answer:

Pollack notes that the natural law ethical system argues that what is moral, or moral law, is universal, just like the physical law of gravity (sec. 2 - 1b).