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Aquinas: Selected Political Writings
English, Latin (translation)
- GenresPolitics
235 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1949
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About the author
Thomas Aquinas
2,555 books1,137 followersPhilosophy of Saint Thomas Aquinas, a Dominican friar and theologian of Italy and the most influential thinker of the medieval period, combined doctrine of Aristotle and elements of Neoplatonism, a system that Plotinus and his successors developed and based on that of Plato, within a context of Christian thought; his works include the
Summa contra gentiles
(1259-1264) and the
Summa theologiae
or theologica (1266-1273).
Saint Albertus Magnus taught Saint Thomas Aquinas.
People ably note this priest, sometimes styled of Aquin or Aquino, as a scholastic. The Roman Catholic tradition honors him as a "doctor of the Church."
Aquinas lived at a critical juncture of western culture when the arrival of the Aristotelian corpus in Latin translation reopened the question of the relation between faith and reason, calling into question the modus vivendi that obtained for centuries. This crisis flared just as people founded universities. Thomas after early studies at Montecassino moved to the University of Naples, where he met members of the new Dominican order. At Naples too, Thomas first extended contact with the new learning. He joined the Dominican order and then went north to study with Albertus Magnus, author of a paraphrase of the Aristotelian corpus. Thomas completed his studies at the University of Paris, formed out the monastic schools on the left bank and the cathedral school at Notre Dame. In two stints as a regent master, Thomas defended the mendicant orders and of greater historical importance countered both the interpretations of Averroës of Aristotle and the Franciscan tendency to reject Greek philosophy. The result, a new modus vivendi between faith and philosophy, survived until the rise of the new physics. The Catholic Church over the centuries regularly and consistently reaffirmed the central importance of work of Thomas for understanding its teachings concerning the Christian revelation, and his close textual commentaries on Aristotle represent a cultural resource, now receiving increased recognition.
Saint Albertus Magnus taught Saint Thomas Aquinas.
People ably note this priest, sometimes styled of Aquin or Aquino, as a scholastic. The Roman Catholic tradition honors him as a "doctor of the Church."
Aquinas lived at a critical juncture of western culture when the arrival of the Aristotelian corpus in Latin translation reopened the question of the relation between faith and reason, calling into question the modus vivendi that obtained for centuries. This crisis flared just as people founded universities. Thomas after early studies at Montecassino moved to the University of Naples, where he met members of the new Dominican order. At Naples too, Thomas first extended contact with the new learning. He joined the Dominican order and then went north to study with Albertus Magnus, author of a paraphrase of the Aristotelian corpus. Thomas completed his studies at the University of Paris, formed out the monastic schools on the left bank and the cathedral school at Notre Dame. In two stints as a regent master, Thomas defended the mendicant orders and of greater historical importance countered both the interpretations of Averroës of Aristotle and the Franciscan tendency to reject Greek philosophy. The result, a new modus vivendi between faith and philosophy, survived until the rise of the new physics. The Catholic Church over the centuries regularly and consistently reaffirmed the central importance of work of Thomas for understanding its teachings concerning the Christian revelation, and his close textual commentaries on Aristotle represent a cultural resource, now receiving increased recognition.
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July 29, 2012
My notes on Acquinas' selected political writings
I. Intro
Acquinas was born in Naples 1225.
Engaged in the Augustinian vs Aristotelian debate.
Discussed moral ends justifying means.
On Princely Government: To the King of Cyprus.
Chapter 1: The Necessity of a Political Regime
God granted men reason and left alone, a man is a "king unto himself" under the King of Kings.
Animals given wings, speed, etc.. but men given reason. Therefore we must enter into communities with other men to obtain that which animals are given.
A government ruled for the common good of the people will naturally be just. A govt. acting in the interest of those in power (not for the common good) will naturally rule unjustly.
A single ruler acting selfishly, for his own interests, is called a tyrant. Multiple people, or lords, acting together called an oligarchy. The whole people (or a majority) called democracy.
"Finally, unjust government can be exercised by a great number and it is then called a democracy: such is mob rule where the common folk take advantage of their numbers to oppress the rich." The entire community becomes a tyrant.
Rule by a few virtuous men called aristocracy. Rule by one just man called rule by king.
A person lives in a community because he would not be able to provide for himself living as a hermit. In one household you will find the basic necessities to live. In one small locality you may find the resources for one trade, or calling. In a city you have defense against enemies, and everything needed for a full life. In a province, allies to protect against enemy attacks.
The divine law, a law of grace, does not abolish human law (founded on natl. reason). Divine law determine the faithful and the infidel while the human law determines government and dominion. Divine law may supercede human law's claim to authority over an person (if he be an infidel) by virtue of the divine authority vested in the Church.
The Church can loose bonds created by the state that threaten religion. Aristotle says that the province of the church is not to punish those who have never accepted religion. The Church does have judicial authority over those who embraced the faith and turned away from it. "and it is just that they be punished by the loss of the right to rule unbelievers." Ergo: a backslidden christian may not rule in govt.
Power of the state over war: "it must be a 'just war' and can only be made just by: a legitimate authority, a just cause, a rightful intention. War is the ultimate resort in the absence of a superior authority."
-War is a necessary evil
Acquinas definitely argued for limits to the soverign power of the state shown by one of the first theorists of the English Constitution: John Fortescue "when he defended limited monarchy not only as the traditional system inherited of old, but as the best of all possible forms of government."
Where soverignty is limited, "allegiance cannot and must not be unconditional." "A purely de facto leader is not a ruler at all. Authority must be legitimate, or subsequently legitimized." Legitimate authority comes from the law and subjects need only obey rightfully exercised authority.
"Unjust commands are not binding. Evil rulers must be resisted." St. Thomas gains his understanding from Romans 13:1-4.
At the same time, St. Thomas' understanding of political theory does not promote abstract rights. "Men have no inalienable rights, neither of though, nor of association, nor of property." natural law is just that God has made maerieral goods for use and benefit by man. Men are neither equal nor free in the state, though their souls are free.
Acquinas had little regard for private property. "Private property can only be justified on the grounds of expediency." A poor person who steals out of necessity isn't considered a thief. Acquinas condemns the accumulation of wealth for its own sake and large profits in trades.
II. On Princely Government to the King of Cyprus Book 1
Men need guidance - and is endowed by reason to guide his actions. A man could live alone and needs no other guidance but would be "a king unto himself, under God, the King of Kings."
So then, if men enter into a community- "if a community of free men is administered by the ruler for the common good, such govt. will be just and fitting to free men." Ez. 34: 2 (acquinas says) warns rulers from ruling according to their own interests.
As it is seen-a king is who who rules the people of a city or a province for their common good.
III. Chapter 2: Monarchy the best form of government
Acquinas argues that a monarchy is the best for of government. Just as a ship is best controlled by a single helmsman, so a govt. is best steered by a single king (acting in the best interest of the people). Scripture encourages us to unity in the bond of peace. Multiple people are prone to contention, so a single rule is better fit for rule in unity. A plurality must first reach a agreement as to their purpose before they can advance policy. A plurality without agreement is without unity and would fail (analogy: ship with a discordant group of helmsmen).
Acquinas then turns to a contemporary example of cities or provinces ruled by multiple people that were "torn by dissentions and strive without peace." "Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard (Jeremiah)."
I. Intro
Acquinas was born in Naples 1225.
Engaged in the Augustinian vs Aristotelian debate.
Discussed moral ends justifying means.
On Princely Government: To the King of Cyprus.
Chapter 1: The Necessity of a Political Regime
God granted men reason and left alone, a man is a "king unto himself" under the King of Kings.
Animals given wings, speed, etc.. but men given reason. Therefore we must enter into communities with other men to obtain that which animals are given.
A government ruled for the common good of the people will naturally be just. A govt. acting in the interest of those in power (not for the common good) will naturally rule unjustly.
A single ruler acting selfishly, for his own interests, is called a tyrant. Multiple people, or lords, acting together called an oligarchy. The whole people (or a majority) called democracy.
"Finally, unjust government can be exercised by a great number and it is then called a democracy: such is mob rule where the common folk take advantage of their numbers to oppress the rich." The entire community becomes a tyrant.
Rule by a few virtuous men called aristocracy. Rule by one just man called rule by king.
A person lives in a community because he would not be able to provide for himself living as a hermit. In one household you will find the basic necessities to live. In one small locality you may find the resources for one trade, or calling. In a city you have defense against enemies, and everything needed for a full life. In a province, allies to protect against enemy attacks.
The divine law, a law of grace, does not abolish human law (founded on natl. reason). Divine law determine the faithful and the infidel while the human law determines government and dominion. Divine law may supercede human law's claim to authority over an person (if he be an infidel) by virtue of the divine authority vested in the Church.
The Church can loose bonds created by the state that threaten religion. Aristotle says that the province of the church is not to punish those who have never accepted religion. The Church does have judicial authority over those who embraced the faith and turned away from it. "and it is just that they be punished by the loss of the right to rule unbelievers." Ergo: a backslidden christian may not rule in govt.
Power of the state over war: "it must be a 'just war' and can only be made just by: a legitimate authority, a just cause, a rightful intention. War is the ultimate resort in the absence of a superior authority."
-War is a necessary evil
Acquinas definitely argued for limits to the soverign power of the state shown by one of the first theorists of the English Constitution: John Fortescue "when he defended limited monarchy not only as the traditional system inherited of old, but as the best of all possible forms of government."
Where soverignty is limited, "allegiance cannot and must not be unconditional." "A purely de facto leader is not a ruler at all. Authority must be legitimate, or subsequently legitimized." Legitimate authority comes from the law and subjects need only obey rightfully exercised authority.
"Unjust commands are not binding. Evil rulers must be resisted." St. Thomas gains his understanding from Romans 13:1-4.
At the same time, St. Thomas' understanding of political theory does not promote abstract rights. "Men have no inalienable rights, neither of though, nor of association, nor of property." natural law is just that God has made maerieral goods for use and benefit by man. Men are neither equal nor free in the state, though their souls are free.
Acquinas had little regard for private property. "Private property can only be justified on the grounds of expediency." A poor person who steals out of necessity isn't considered a thief. Acquinas condemns the accumulation of wealth for its own sake and large profits in trades.
II. On Princely Government to the King of Cyprus Book 1
Men need guidance - and is endowed by reason to guide his actions. A man could live alone and needs no other guidance but would be "a king unto himself, under God, the King of Kings."
So then, if men enter into a community- "if a community of free men is administered by the ruler for the common good, such govt. will be just and fitting to free men." Ez. 34: 2 (acquinas says) warns rulers from ruling according to their own interests.
As it is seen-a king is who who rules the people of a city or a province for their common good.
III. Chapter 2: Monarchy the best form of government
Acquinas argues that a monarchy is the best for of government. Just as a ship is best controlled by a single helmsman, so a govt. is best steered by a single king (acting in the best interest of the people). Scripture encourages us to unity in the bond of peace. Multiple people are prone to contention, so a single rule is better fit for rule in unity. A plurality must first reach a agreement as to their purpose before they can advance policy. A plurality without agreement is without unity and would fail (analogy: ship with a discordant group of helmsmen).
Acquinas then turns to a contemporary example of cities or provinces ruled by multiple people that were "torn by dissentions and strive without peace." "Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard (Jeremiah)."
February 24, 2025
Brilliantly ordered writings from a brilliant man, pray for us St Thomas
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews