1. Concept
The state of nature (Latin status naturalis, German Naturzustand, Stand der Natur; French état naturel) was understood as the state of human existence outwith or prior to the creation of the state (societas civilis, “civil society” in the status civilis, “civil state”). The conception of such a state of nature was a key component of the early modern theory of natural law (Natural law). According to the model develop…