Legal positivism is a theory of law that asserts that laws are rules created by human beings and are not necessarily connected to morality. According to this view, the validity of a law is determined by its source, such as legislation or judicial decisions, rather than its ethical implications. This perspective contrasts with natural law theory, which holds that laws should reflect moral principles. Legal positivism emphasizes that laws are social constructs, and their authority comes from the institutions that create and enforce them, rather than from any inherent moral value.