Aquinas.ppt

St. Thomas AquinasPolitics and The Catholic Christian Tradition

OverviewBiographical BackgroundGod and JusticeProperty & Obligations to the Poor

I. Biographical Notes Born 1224 near Aquino, Italy into noble familyEntered University of Naples about 1236Entered the Order of St. Dominic around 1240-1243 and lived rest of life as a monk (against his familys wishes)

I. Biographical NotesRediscovery of Aristotle prompts Pope to reassess relation between theology and Greek philosophy.Aquinas spends his life attempting to reconcile faith and reason into a synthesisDies at age 50, having authored some 60 worksOn 4 August 1879 Pope Leo XIII declared his the official teaching of the ChurchOn 4 August 1880, same Pope designated him patron saint of all Catholic universities, academies, colleges, and schools throughout the world

God and JusticeTypes of LawEternal LawDivine LawNatural LawHuman Law

God and JusticeTypes of LawEternal LawDivine LawNatural LawHuman Law

Eternal LawUnchanging reason of God.Gods plan for the universeAffects everything, including irrational creaturesNow it is evident, granted that the world is ruled by Divine providence that the whole community of the universe is governed by Divine Reason (Question 91, Article 1)

God and JusticeTypes of LawEternal LawDivine LawNatural LawHuman Law

Divine LawApplies to religion and church issuesApprehended through revelation[s]ince man is ordained to an end of eternal happiness which is inproportionate to mans natural faculty it was necessary that, besdies the natural and the human law, man should be directed to his end by a law given by God (Question 91, Article 4)

God and JusticeTypes of LawEternal LawDivine LawNatural LawHuman Law

Natural LawThe eternal law etched upon the human mindUniquely humanDetermines an individuals telos (end)Helps you seek your essential human purpose

Natural LawNow among all others, the rational creature is subject to Divine providence in the most excellent way, in so far as it partakes of a share of providence, by being provident both for itself and for others. Wherefore it has a share of the Eternal Reason, whereby it has a natural inclination to its proper act and end: and this participation of the eternal law in the rational creature is called the nature law (Question 91, Article 2)

Natural LawOperates in 2 waysAppeal to ones reason to know how to act in particular circumstancesHuman Law

God and JusticeTypes of LawEternal LawDivine LawNatural LawHuman Law

Human LawEmulate natural law to promote justice and the will of GodNecessary to help us when our own reason failsGuide community to serve justice and the common purposes of all its members

God & JusticeTo be true law, it must follow natural lawPurpose is to help one:Fulfill his/her telosFulfill ones function as a rational creatureSeek out the vision of GodIf law deviates from natural law, it is non-bindingImplications?

God & JusticeA tyrannical government is not just, because it is directed, not to the common good, but to the private good of the rule, as the Philosopher states. Consequently, thre is no sedition in disturbing a government of this kind

God & Justiceunless indeed the tyrants rule be disturbed so inordinately, that his subjects suffer greater harm from the consequent disturbance than from the tyrants government (Question 42, Article 2)

God & JusticeIndeed, it is the tyrant rather that is guilty of sedition, since he encourages discord and sedition among his subjects, that he may lord over them more securely; for this is tyranny, being conducive to the private good of the ruler, and to the injury of the multitude (Question 42, Article 2).

God & JusticeAn unjust law is no law at allAn unjust ruler is no rulerHuman law as its own telos political authority and human law must obey God and natural law. Both God and natural law act as external restrictions constraining what the ruler can and cannot do

God & JusticeAquinas provides 2 sets of checks on tyrannical rulers: God/natural law and the threat of execution through insurrection

PropertyIs property natural to the human species?YesGod has given man power over the other elements of His creationThis natural dominion of man over other creatures, which is competent to man in respect of his reason wherein Gods image resides, is shown forth in mans creation by the words: Let us make man to Our image and likeness: and let him have dominion over the fishes of the sea, etc. (Question 66, Article 1)

PropertyPrivate Property?Yes, necessary for human life for 3 reasons:1.Human beings are selfish:every man is more careful to procure what is for himself alone than that which is common to many or to all: since each one would shirk the labour and leave to another that which concerns the community (Question 66, Article 2)

Property2.Division of Labor/Specialization leads to greater productivity:Because human affairs are conducted in more orderly fashion if each man is charged with taking care of some particular thing himself, whereas there would be confusion if everyone had to look after one thing indeterminately (Question 66, Article 2)

Property3.Ensures tranquility:A more peaceful state is ensured to man if each one is contented with his own. Hence it is to be observed that quarrels arise more frequently where there is no division of the things possessed (Question 66, Article 2)

PropertyAny limits on property? Any obligations?Recall hierarchy of laws:Things which are of human right cannot derogate from natural rights or Divine right (Question 66, Article 7)

PropertyFurther recall the idea of the natural order to the universe, its source, and its implications:

Now according to the natural order established by Divine providence, inferior things are ordained for the purpose of succouring mans needs by their means. Wherefore the division and appropriation of things which are based on human law, do not preclude the fact that mans needs have to be remedied by means of these very things (Question 66, Article 7)

PropertyThus, the rich do not have unlimited entitlement to superabundance

PropertyWhatever certain people have in superabundance is due, by natural law, to the purpose of succouring the poor. For this reason Ambrose says,and his words are embodied in the Decretals: It is the hungry mans bread that you withhold, the naked mans cloak that you store away, the money that you bury in the earth is the price of the poor mans ransom and freedom (Question 66, Article 7)

PropertyUpshot? If the need be so manifest and urgent, that it is evident that the present need must be remedied by whatever means be at hand 9for instance when a person is in some imminent danger, and there is no other possible remedy), then it is lawful for a man to succour his own need by means of anothers property, by taking it either openly or secretly: nor is this properly speaking theft or robbery (Question 66, Article 7)

ConclusionGiven hierarchy of laws, what political structure emerges?

Political AuthorityEcclesiastical AuthorityDivine Power