Physis Vs. Nomos In The 21st Century

The most reasonable correspondence between Physis vs. Nomos in 21st century terms would be Nature vs. Nurture. The question of human social character development has remained an important topic of interest for many philosophers to discuss. Ancient Greeks debated whether individual’s behavior was an absolute natural fact or a primary product of customs and traditions. To convey Greek philosophy for their moral responsibilities they often discussed the world and its many unknown theories. Physis is based on a total reality (nature) while Nomos reflects norms and rules created by humans (nurture).

Philosophers believed that Nomos reflected Physis. They believed humans were unable to separate the two and were part of one whole. Physis justifies

universal laws or natural laws. Things came to be just by being. Our laws and practices must not be merely conventional, but founded upon the true shape of things in nature. Plato has a subtle view point from this argument which Nomos must look to nature for its legitimation. His view clearly does not dismiss normativity, but to ground it and looks to nature as the source. “For if it is existent, it has to come to be, but already exists” (Gorgias 44).
Sophists believed that Physis did not exist because everything was Nomos. They believed laws were only creations of politicians and how they wanted things to be done. Nomos is supported in comparison to nurture. Aristotle claims that “the just is the lawful”; that “all lawful things are somehow just. Nearly all lawful actions are those produced by the whole of virtue, for the law orders living according to each virtue, and prohibits living according to each evil” (Aristotle 98). Aristotle is using the term Nomos to indicate a regulative universal norm.
I believe Physis and Nomos are interrelated. Aristotle claims both nature and convention are variables.Aristotle’s characterization of nature and convention as part of political justice makes clear how both parts are mutually dependent and equally shifting. Aristotle appears to base normativity on nature because nature provides guidance about what is wrong without specifying in turn what is right. For example, Arisotole’s reference to a mean relative to us is indeterminate with regard to the right course of action since the mean will differ from person to person and context to context.
In conclusion, I have reflected briefly on the subjects of Physis and Nomos and explained both meanings according to Greek philosophy. The relationship between Physis and Nomos is mutually dependent.