Final answer:
The classification of laws into categories like moral, ceremonial, and civil law is complex and depends on the philosophical perspective; Thomas Aquinas offers one such complex classification.
Step-by-step explanation:
When it comes to the classification of laws into systems such as moral law, ceremonial law, and civil law, opinions can vary. Thomas Aquinas's classification includes eternal law, natural law, human law, and divine law, which suggests an intricate relationship between the observable natural order and human ethical systems as well as divine commandments, contributing substantially to the classical natural law theory.
Contrasting views from other philosophies, such as early Confucian thought, emphasize moral leadership and virtuous conduct over strictly codified laws, while the theory of Normative Ethical Relativism accounts for varying moral codes across different cultures, indicating that moral standards are not universally binding.
Historical legal systems like Hammurabi's Code and the Ten Commandments also reflect the imposition of law rather than a collective agreement, although modern conceptions like Montesquieu's separation of powers stress the import of public participation in law-making, a foundational principle of the Rule of Law. Ultimately, the relationship between morality and law demonstrates that societal views on morality often shape the development of legal systems, as seen in the case of the repeal of Prohibition in the United States.