The natural logarithm, denoted as ln, is the logarithm to the base e, where e is approximately equal to 2.718. The expression ln(1) represents the logarithm of 1. By definition, the logarithm answers the question: "To what power must the base be raised to obtain a certain number?" In this case, e raised to the power of 0 equals 1. Therefore, since e^0 = 1, it follows that ln(1) = 0. This property is fundamental in mathematics and is often used in calculus and other areas involving exponential functions.