HoP 454 - By Appointment Only - Political Philosophy in the Second Scholastic
History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps
Deep Dive
What is the concept of dominium in the Iberian Scholastics' political philosophy?
Dominium refers to lawful control over something, where the dominus is the lawful controller. It applies to both personal actions and private property, which are governed by the law of nations.
How do the Iberian Scholastics define a right?
A right is defined as a capacity to do something, obtain something, or demand it. It is positively directed at something particular under one's control, not merely the absence of legal prohibition.
Why do humans need political authority according to the Iberian Scholastics?
Political authority is needed because humans are not perfectly good and require laws to ensure the common welfare. It is an artificial measure introduced due to the fall from grace.
What is the role of consent in the Iberian Scholastics' view of political authority?
Consent of the people is crucial for the legitimacy of a government, regardless of its form. It is through voluntary decision that people create an order and unity among themselves, forming a commonwealth.
How do the Iberian Scholastics compare their political theory to Hobbes' view?
While both acknowledge the need for political authority to escape a state of nature, the Scholastics view political life as a natural expression of human aspiration for community, unlike Hobbes' more pessimistic view of it as the lesser of two evils.
What is the role of marriage in the Iberian Scholastics' political philosophy?
Marriage is seen as a political alliance involving justice and mutual aid, reflecting the natural desire for community. It is considered a perfect society created through voluntary cooperation.
How does Suárez explain the origin of political authority?
Suárez suggests that authority resides originally in the people, who then voluntarily decide to form a commonwealth. Divine action cooperates with human decision to create a proper political union.
What is the significance of the social contract in Suárez's political theory?
The social contract represents the voluntary act of people coming together to form a commonwealth, creating the power to govern themselves, which they can then transfer to a sovereign or retain for democratic self-governance.
How does Suárez's political theory relate to the society of Jesuits?
Suárez's theory mirrors the structure of the Jesuit order, where individuals voluntarily choose to join and submit to an authoritative hierarchy, striving for the good of all and the glory of God.
Why did Catholic intellectuals embrace the consent theory of political authority?
Catholic intellectuals, like Suárez, emphasized the voluntary nature of political authority to distinguish it from the divine dispensation of the Pope's power, countering Protestant claims about the legitimacy of Catholic monarchs.
- Scholastics viewed dominium as lawful control, extending to actions and possessions.
- Political dominion is artificial, arising from human decisions, not natural law.
- Consent of the people, not government type, legitimizes rule.
- Scholastic views on marriage highlight community over procreation, with surprisingly egalitarian aspects.
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