Final answer:
The existence and ranking of the laws of nature in relation to a divine authority are subjects of debate. Philosophers like Locke and Aquinas consider them divine-originated while Hume and Bentham question their literal interpretation, and the origin of the laws of physics itself is a point of contention.
Step-by-step explanation:
Traditionally, the laws of nature and mathematical rules are considered to be inherent to the universe, and whether they are seen as above or before divine authority varies across philosophical and theological viewpoints.
Philosophers have long debated the nature of laws governing the universe. John Locke and Thomas Aquinas suggest that natural laws are inherent and divine in origin, with Aquinas depicting a hierarchy that places natural laws under the umbrella of eternal laws, which are directly from God. Jeremy Bentham criticized the idea of natural laws as 'nonsensical,' arguing that rights and laws emerge from societal constructs rather than a pre-governed natural order. Hume further proposed that laws of nature can be empirically deduced by their consistent operation and visible effects, challenging traditional views anchored in divine authority.
This ongoing debate also involves asking where the laws of physics originated from, with difficulties analogous to the theological question of 'Who created God?' The premise here is the relationship between natural laws and a deity, suggesting that if laws are violated, it implies the existence of a deity as the lawgiver. Ultimately, consensus on this subject is elusive, reflecting differing opinions on the intersection of science, morality, and spirituality in our understanding of the laws governing our existence.