Notes on "A History of Political Theory" -- Episode 13

For episode 12 see here


The Theory of the Universal Community


XIII.  Universitas Hominum

  A. Rebirth of scholarly activity in 13th Century

       1. rediscovery of Aristotle

       2. concentration on theology and metaphysics

  B. John of Salisbury

       1. saw kings bound by law as everyone was

       2. carried on argument of Cicero for res publica

  C. Saint Thomas Aquinas

       1. used Aristotle as new support for Christian philosophy

       2. tried to synthesize faith and reason

       3. saw each as acting to achieve own form of perfection within a

           hierarchy of degrees of perfection

       4. saw Aristotelian society of mutual exchange for achieving the good life

       5. ruler derives power from his part, under God, in the community of

           directing every class towards a happy and virtuous life

       6. offered no clear definition of lawful authority or of its derivation (or the

           kings relation to law)

       7. law was one aspect of the cosmic system by which God rules the world

           i. all different manifestations of the same principles

           ii. Eternal Law -- the eternal plan of all creation, not knowable

           iii. Natural Law -- reflection of Eternal Law in created things

           iv. Divine Law -- revelation from God in the Scriptures

           v. Human Law -- ius gentium and ius civile, applies to humankind the

           divine principle

       8. Human Law is Natural Law made to cover man


"For both men [Aquinas and Locke], the ruler is as definitely bound by reason and justice as his subjects, and his power over the positive law arises from the need of keeping it in agreement with Natural Law. Enactment is less an act of will than an adjustment to times and circumstances. (259)


 D. Dante sought to show the Emperor's authority derived directly from God but

      not dependent on God.

 E. For all three thinkers, human race forms a single community whose existence

     implies a single head.

 F. Out of line with Aristotle's presumption that the state is an outgrowth of the

     natural evolution of society, justified by the moral values it sustains without

     religious sanction.


Next week: Three Challenges to Christian Society