Montesquieu’s Definition of Laws and the Tension Between Determinism and Relativism in Legal Philosophy Introduction The Enlightenment witnessed a profound reorientation of political and legal thought, where traditional metaphysical justifications of law gave way to naturalistic, rational, and empirical frameworks. Among the seminal figures of this intellectual epoch, Charles-Louis de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu, occupies … Continue reading Examine Montesquieu’s definition of laws as “necessary relations arising from the nature of things” within the framework of his natural law philosophy. Comment on the assertion that Montesquieu’s naturalist conception of laws introduces both determinism and relativism into legal philosophy.