Ethical aspects of Political and Legal doctrine of Hugo Grotius

The article is devoted to the study of moral content and the legal interpretation of the Early Modern International Relations in the doctrine of Hugo Grotius, the founder of the International Law Science. A great deal of attention is paid to the philosophical foundation of the great Dutch scholar ethical concept as well as to his contribution to the process of developing the fundamental theory of Natural Law. Besides the author places an emphasis on specific principles and methods that Hugo Grotius proposes to settle the political turmoil. The relevance of studying Hugo Grotius ideas is determined primarily by the fact that nowadays such key issues of International Relations as reconciliation of religious conflicts, the elimination of unjustified cruelty of military operations, protection of the rights of refugees and prisoners of war, the security of civilian population and the humane treatment of vanquished enemy are regaining the paramount importance.