RONSAM
TUTORS
LJU4801 PORTFOLIO 22 MAY
2024
FOR EXAMS, PORTFOLIO, AND ASSIGNMENT
ASSISTANCE WHATSAPP 0671189059
n
,QUESTION 1
1.1.
The brutal discrimination against LGBTQIA+ individuals in South Africa,
despite legal protections, raises critical questions about the relationship
between law and morality, a persistent debate in legal philosophy. This
discourse is particularly relevant in understanding how laws intended to
protect can often be undermined by prevailing societal attitudes.
LGBTQIA+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer intersex
asexual plus, and it refers to a wide range of sexual orientations and
gender identities. Legal positivists and natural law philosophers provide
contrasting views on how law and morality intersect. 1 This article will
discuss how these two philosophical traditions understand the link
between law and morality, particularly in terms of LGBTQIA+ rights in
South Africa.
Natural law philosophy asserts that there is a universal set of morally
grounded laws that exist independently of human-made laws. 2These laws
serve as a basis for judging human laws, and those that align with these
moral principles are considered just and valid, while those that deviate are
considered unjust.3According to natural law philosophy, laws that are in
line with these inherent moral principles are considered just and valid,
while those that deviate from them are unjust.4
In the specific context of discrimination and violence against LGBTQIA+
individuals in South Africa, the application of natural law philosophy would
entail the view that the oppression and persecution of individuals based
on their sexual orientation is inherently immoral because it violates the
moral values of equality, human dignity, and human rights. From a moral
standpoint such actions would be deemed immoral and thus also illegal
1
IJ Kroeze, Legal Philosophy Only Study Guide for LJU4801 (Muckleneuk, Pretoria 2020) 61.
2
Kroeze, Legal Philosophy Only Study guide, 61.
3
Kroeze, Legal Philosophy Only study guide, 63.
4
Kroeze, Legal Philosophy Only study guide, 63.
, and invalid from a legal point of view. Thus, natural law philosophy would
argue that the rights and dignity of LGBTQIA+ people should be
recognized in law and society because they are universally good and
equal to everyone. It would posit that laws and prevailing cultural beliefs
need to conform to these moral truths for them to be just and binding.
Legal positivists and natural law philosophers approach the relationship
between law
and morality from different perspectives. The contrasting views of legal
positivism and
natural law philosophy highlights the complexity of the relationship
between law and
morality in addressing issues such as LGBTQIA+ discrimination. 5 While
legal positivists emphasize the social origins of law and the separation of
legal and moral considerations, natural law philosophers highlight the
inherent moral dimension of laws. In the context of LGBTQIA+ rights, legal
positivists may argue that legal protections should be enforced
irrespective of the moral beliefs of individuals and society, while natural
law philosophers may advocate for legal and moral alignment in order to
address the injustices faced by the LGBTQIA+ community. 6 Ultimately, the
debate between legal positivism and natural law philosophy influences
how society views and addresses issues of discrimination and human
rights.
The experience of De Jager and the discrimination and violence against
LGBTQIA+ individuals in South Africa illustrate the gap between
theoretical legal rights and social norms. Legal positivists would be
concerned with the necessity of implementing current laws and potentially
changes in the legal system to make legal rights enforceable in practice. 7
They would highlight that societal perspectives are strong but do not
5
Andrew Koppelman, 'The Decline and Fall of the Case Against Same-Sex Marriage'
(2014) 2014 U Ill L Rev 1019.
6
Andrew Koppelman, 'The Decline and Fall of the Case Against Same-Sex Marriage'
(2014).
7
N de Jager, ‘Pride is a Heavy Price to Pay’ Mail & Guardian (25 June 2022).
TUTORS
LJU4801 PORTFOLIO 22 MAY
2024
FOR EXAMS, PORTFOLIO, AND ASSIGNMENT
ASSISTANCE WHATSAPP 0671189059
n
,QUESTION 1
1.1.
The brutal discrimination against LGBTQIA+ individuals in South Africa,
despite legal protections, raises critical questions about the relationship
between law and morality, a persistent debate in legal philosophy. This
discourse is particularly relevant in understanding how laws intended to
protect can often be undermined by prevailing societal attitudes.
LGBTQIA+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer intersex
asexual plus, and it refers to a wide range of sexual orientations and
gender identities. Legal positivists and natural law philosophers provide
contrasting views on how law and morality intersect. 1 This article will
discuss how these two philosophical traditions understand the link
between law and morality, particularly in terms of LGBTQIA+ rights in
South Africa.
Natural law philosophy asserts that there is a universal set of morally
grounded laws that exist independently of human-made laws. 2These laws
serve as a basis for judging human laws, and those that align with these
moral principles are considered just and valid, while those that deviate are
considered unjust.3According to natural law philosophy, laws that are in
line with these inherent moral principles are considered just and valid,
while those that deviate from them are unjust.4
In the specific context of discrimination and violence against LGBTQIA+
individuals in South Africa, the application of natural law philosophy would
entail the view that the oppression and persecution of individuals based
on their sexual orientation is inherently immoral because it violates the
moral values of equality, human dignity, and human rights. From a moral
standpoint such actions would be deemed immoral and thus also illegal
1
IJ Kroeze, Legal Philosophy Only Study Guide for LJU4801 (Muckleneuk, Pretoria 2020) 61.
2
Kroeze, Legal Philosophy Only Study guide, 61.
3
Kroeze, Legal Philosophy Only study guide, 63.
4
Kroeze, Legal Philosophy Only study guide, 63.
, and invalid from a legal point of view. Thus, natural law philosophy would
argue that the rights and dignity of LGBTQIA+ people should be
recognized in law and society because they are universally good and
equal to everyone. It would posit that laws and prevailing cultural beliefs
need to conform to these moral truths for them to be just and binding.
Legal positivists and natural law philosophers approach the relationship
between law
and morality from different perspectives. The contrasting views of legal
positivism and
natural law philosophy highlights the complexity of the relationship
between law and
morality in addressing issues such as LGBTQIA+ discrimination. 5 While
legal positivists emphasize the social origins of law and the separation of
legal and moral considerations, natural law philosophers highlight the
inherent moral dimension of laws. In the context of LGBTQIA+ rights, legal
positivists may argue that legal protections should be enforced
irrespective of the moral beliefs of individuals and society, while natural
law philosophers may advocate for legal and moral alignment in order to
address the injustices faced by the LGBTQIA+ community. 6 Ultimately, the
debate between legal positivism and natural law philosophy influences
how society views and addresses issues of discrimination and human
rights.
The experience of De Jager and the discrimination and violence against
LGBTQIA+ individuals in South Africa illustrate the gap between
theoretical legal rights and social norms. Legal positivists would be
concerned with the necessity of implementing current laws and potentially
changes in the legal system to make legal rights enforceable in practice. 7
They would highlight that societal perspectives are strong but do not
5
Andrew Koppelman, 'The Decline and Fall of the Case Against Same-Sex Marriage'
(2014) 2014 U Ill L Rev 1019.
6
Andrew Koppelman, 'The Decline and Fall of the Case Against Same-Sex Marriage'
(2014).
7
N de Jager, ‘Pride is a Heavy Price to Pay’ Mail & Guardian (25 June 2022).
