傳統立法者從敵對性原則看待城邦與人的「自然」，將所有城邦之間、個人之間的戰爭視為「自然狀態」。但在柏拉圖看來，秩序與和諧同樣「自然」，作為「初始之物」的宇宙靈魂而非諸元素更應稱為「自然」。立法者應特別關注人的靈魂的自然本性，因為法涉及靈魂的內在秩序，真正的立法應依據諸德性的自然秩序。柏拉圖式的自然法基於靈魂結構和宇宙論，將靈魂的完善作為人的自然目的，更有益於奠定道德和政治的根基。柏拉圖將自然、禮法、靈魂融為一體，以使理性和神聖性成為法律的基礎。

Traditional legislators understand nature of the city and man according to the principle of hostility, and regard wars among cities and men as the “natural state.” However, for Plato, order and harmony are also by nature, and cosmic soul as “the first thing” rather than physical element is especially called “nature.” Legislators should pay most attention to nature of human soul, because laws are concerned with inherent order of the soul, and true legislation is according to the natural order of virtues. Platonic classical natural law bases on the soul structure and cosmology, and regards perfection of soul as the natural aim of human beings, so it is very benefit to set the foundation for morality and politics. Plato combines nature with law and soul, striving to make reason and divinity as the basis of laws.