A Discourse Concerning the Unchangeable Obligations of Natural Religion

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June 25, 2026

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Samuel Clarke's A Discourse Concerning the Unchangeable Obligations of Natural Religion (1706) argues that moral principles are as certain as mathematical propositions and can be understood through reason alone, without reliance on faith or supernatural revelation. This perspective is sometimes referred to as ethical rationalism.1

Natural religion is defined as a religion validated by human reason and experience, separate from any special or supernatural revelation. Clarke's work suggests that morality is not dependent on religion but can be discerned independently through reason. This contrasts with views that morality stems from divine commands or motivations provided by religion.213

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Samuel Clarke
…Attributes of God (1705) and A Discourse Concerning the Unchangeable Obligations of Natural Religion (1706). In the first set he attempted to prove the existence of God by a method “as near to Mathematical, as the nature of such a Discourse would allow.” In the second he argued that the…
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…Attributes of God (1705) and A Discourse Concerning the Unchangeable Obligations of Natural Religion (1706). In the first set he attempted to prove the existence of God by a method “as near to Mathematical, as the nature of such a Discourse would allow.” In the second he argued that the…
Read More