A surefire way of demonstrating the existence of universal
truths is to consult common experience. No one in their right
mind likes being ridiculed or made a pure object of sport or
derision, or robbed or lied to. From this, we can infer that
there is something innate or “natural” to humanity that expects
personal respect from others and respect for one’s property —
and wants to be told the truth. It also follows that other
people — all people — count and that an ordered society matters
since none of us is an island. The commandments against
coveting, stealing and bearing false witness condemn wrongs that
are rooted in the nature of what it means to be a human being.
Again, we know this from experience because when we are the
objects of another’s violation of these norms, we ourselves feel
violated or sinned against. Did we need the commandments to
teach us this? No doubt that the law may function as a teacher,
as St. Thomas offered, or as a reminder, in which case it is
good to hear in the commandments an af