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In this paper I examine the nature of natural law according to Thomas Aquinas in the context of man's participation in Divine Providence. I argue that God gives the law to man to guide him in his personal actions, but that He gives it in such a way that man precepts it to govern himself and other things, and thus to come to resemble the provident God. To do this, I first explain man's special participation in Divine Providence. Second, I examine St. Thomas' claim that God gives laws to man. Third, I relate this to the claim that the natural law is a participation of the eternal law in us. Finally, I argue that God is the author of the law, but that He establishes it in such a way that man gives it to himself by participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Copyright of Teología is the property of Pontificia Universidad Catolica Argentina and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) more...

Pope Francis is not a philosopher, the proposals of his magisterium are not ethical, but moral; but he deepens them from a sincerely intellectual selfawareness, in such a way that intuitions of philosophical ethics can be found in them. Bergoglio’s ethical insights form a prism whose vertices are: evangelical eudaemonism; a realism foreign to legalisms; an understanding of the moral subject configured in the dialogical-fraternal transcendence with the other; open in the contemplative gaze to the natural; who finds in the mercy with which he suffers the actual dimension of his life and his truth. His faith and the historical situations he has faced have been the catalysts for his moral reflection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Copyright of Revista Opinião Jurídica is the property of Revista Opiniao Juridica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) more...

In this contribution, the Author focuses on Giambattista Vico's main text, the Scienza nuova (New Science) in the 1744 edition. Without claiming to offer an adequate reading of the Neapolitan philosopher's entire work, he attempts to show that today his vision of human nature remains useful also in the theological-moral field, in order to avoid contemporary misunderstandings regarding the traditional conception of the lex naturae. Likewise, Vico's vision of history, marked by a logic of 'responsorial' dialogue between human freedom and divine providence, still has much to say to contemporary man. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

In this paper I consider the question of self-governing in relation to MacIntyrean practices. It is not uncommon to discover MacIntyrean practices being described as self-governing in at least some sense. However, while there are seemingly valid reasons for why this might be thought the case, in my paper I argue that there is something very different visible in MacIntyre’s writings here. Indeed, what I want to emphasise regarding MacIntyre’s position in relation to the governing of practices is that rather than self-governing, at most MacIntyrean practices are self-directing or self-guiding. Therefore, although for MacIntyre governing of practices is fundamentally important, what I draw attention to is how, on the whole, this governing happens from outside, and that direction and guidance if and when it does happen, happens in a very specific, internal way aside from governing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

This article examines Tertullian's views on military service by Christian individuals on the basis of his work De corona militis. Beyond his reflections on idolatry, this paper focuses on the arguments concerning Natural law and Reason as the foundation for the incompatibility between Christian faith and military service according to the author, with compelling legal remarks that are also highlighted. In his analysis of a specific case, the Carthaginian addresses the issue of why wearing laurel crowns would not be appropriate for Christians and links the Roman army to the exposure to pagan customs and religious practices by Christians. At the same time, we argue that the text should not be viewed as an (anachronistic) critique of the Roman political power from the modern perspective of a separation between political and religious spheres. Rather, it could be more likely understood as a questioning of the military institution itself. Beyond the obvious rhetorical imprint, Tertullian's De Corona offers insights into the search for recognition by Christians towards the Roman Empire and highlights the complex relationships between Christian communities and Roman authorities before the turning point of the early 4th century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

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Copyright of Araucaria is the property of Araucaria-Revista Iberoamericana de Filosofia, Politica y Humanidades and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) more...

This article examines Nozick's reception of Locke's doctrine of punishment. Locke's doctrine allows Nozick to disable several arguments that favor the social contract and treat natural rights as a selfsufficient normative system. By doing so, Nozick formulates a natural law theory that can be described as "utopian" as it would allow, at the same time, the legitimization of coercion and the preservation of natural freedom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Copyright of Revista Opinião Jurídica is the property of Revista Opiniao Juridica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) more...

'his work presents Catholic arguments ofa philosophical nature about the inadmissibility ofeuthanasia as a human option. First, the limitation of bioethics and the natural sciences as the only authority that can make normative decisions about euthanasia is shown. Next, the timeliness and relevance of natural law is explained, which exists implicitly in several contemporary social institutions, and is also advocated by some currents ofphilosophical and ethical thought, revitalizing the debate on bioethics. The subject of suffering is approached from two aspects: the impossibility ofacontingent and rational creature not to suflbr, and the proposal oftheconcept ofsu/76·itive, fbrmulated by Plinio Corrda de Oliveira, as a novel perspective fur the bioethical dialogue on euthanasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

This text analyzes Finnis's theory of ethical naturalism and its relevance to the foundation of law, in order to point out how the ideas of this author provide an alternative to iuspositivism. In his work Natural Law and Natural Rights, Finnis proposes an ethics of practical rationality that demonstrates the possibility of making objective judgments about the good and reasoning about goodness. In this sense, practical rationality acquires a fundamental role in the foundation of law and right, since it implies making decisions about actions in a way that is consistent with objective moral principles. In order to facilitate the dialogue and understanding of Finnis's theory, it is discussed in relation to the perspectives of Tughendhat and Habermas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

This paper propose a recovery of the natural law category, from the contributions of feminist theology. The problem of the natural law that structures and bases the theological ethics of the Catholic magisterium, was interwoven in time and its great systematizer was Saint Thomas Aquinas. Feminist theology, arising from feminist theories, supports as a critical principle the promotion of the full humanity of women and assumes that the texts and traditions of the Christian community or the marks of their reception throughout history, function from of a misconception of women. This has established for them an ethos based on a static and essentialist vision of their nature. Feminist theology is aware of the need to reflect from an egalitarian anthropology that includes and makes women participate in the human good in the same way as men, and at the same time allows to visualize the different ways in which men and women experience their lives. This incarnated reflection on the goods to which we are directed and the discovery of the necessary means to achieve them integrates the understanding of natural law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Según autores como Grisez y Finnis, la teoría clásica de la ley natural es inmune a la crítica contenida en el argumento de la ley de Hume, porque aquella teoría no aspira a derivar la ética de la metafísica, ni los enunciados prácticos de enunciados fácticos. La autonomía de la razón práctica, sostienen estos autores, permite una explicación de la teoría de la ley natural que no exige ningún recurso a la metafísica o a cualquier otro conocimiento teórico de la naturaleza. Esta tesis ha sido fuertemente discutida por autores vinculados al neo-tomismo que niegan la validez de la regla lógica expresada en la ley de Hume. Sin embargo, tanto los autores de la New Natural Law Theory como sus críticos parecen comprender equívocamente la ley de Hume, pues no consideran adecuadamente los supuestos nominalistas y empiristas desde los que tal ley es formulada por la filosofía analítica. more...

Copyright of Prudentia Iuris is the property of Pontificia Universidad Catolica Argentina and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) more...

Copyright of Prudentia Iuris is the property of Pontificia Universidad Catolica Argentina and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) more...

The "New World" colonization has had the evangelization like central point. The present text part of the postulate that different theological conceptions allow different juridic forms. Both elements, theological and juridic are ontologically articled. The intention of this text is approximating to the union of this elements in the conquest conflicts and domination of the territories of New Spain. The participation of clerics members, clearly showing his rejection and complaint for excess of the colonization, had like principle the Natural Law of humanism of Iberic School of Pace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

El concepto de ley natural fue uno de los más usados en las noticias y discusiones sobre los pueblos nativo-americanos y para argumentar en torno al dominio hispánico sobre ellos. Sin embargo, en el siglo XVI, podemos identificar dos significados de ley natural, una que proviene del tomismo y otra del escotismo. La mayoría de las investigaciones actuales se han centrado en el estudio de la ley natural en su vertiente tomista. El objetivo es exponer el pensamiento de Duns Escoto sobre la ley natural para analizar la manera en que los misioneros franciscanos aplican este concepto, pues con él explican algunos de los problemas que afrontaron en su labor con los indígenas. Encontramos así una perspectiva particular, y poco estudiada, desde la que se abordaron temas como la racionalidad indígena o la autoridad de los españoles sobre el Nuevo Mundo. Abstract: Natural law was the most used concept to undestand the native american society and to argue about hispanic control over indians. At the 16th century, however, we can identify two natural law’s scholastic doctrines: thomism and scotism. More of the research have focused on natural law according to thomism. In this document, we explain Duns Scoto’s thougth on natural law to analyze how the franciscans missionaries used it in evangelizing and colonizing undertakin. This point out a very different perspective, about themes like indian rationality or hispanic authority, than the research on thomism in New Spain. more...

This article presents the arguments in favor of the colonization of Native Americans in the works of Juan Ginés de Sepúlveda. The purpose is to link these ideas with Italian Renaissance humanism political thought. For this, I will firstly explain the ideological context of Sepúlveda’s ideas. Secondly, I will mention the relation between civil virtue, security, and natural slavery, and how he attempts to apply these concepts to America indigenous people. Finally, I will discuss why Sepúlveda’s writings on Native Americans were proscribed by Spanish political and religious authorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The Autor, in honor of Professor Javier Hervada and in light of a new doctoral thesis on John Finnis, defended recently at the University of Navarra, begins by making the distinction between law and morality to analyse the relationship between iusnaturalism and lex naturalis, wich encompasses not only content based on law but also based on morality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Natural law was the most used concept to undestand the native american society and to argue about hispanic control over indians. At the 16th century, however, we can identify two natural law’s scholastic doctrines: thomism and scotism. More of the research have focused on natural law according to thomism. In this document, we explain Duns Scoto’s thougth on natural law to analyze how the franciscans missionaries used it in evangelizing and colonizing undertakin. This point out a very different perspective, about themes like indian rationality or hispanic authority, than the research on thomism in New Spain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Este artículo estudia el tenso capítulo (V.7) de la Ética nicomáquea sobre la justicia natural, y sostiene que la principal tradición comentarista ha tomado un camino equivocado al malinterpretar dos momentos bastante precisos del argumento. Una vez corregidos ambos errores, vemos surgir un Aristóteles que, lejos de ser un campeón de la teoría de la ley natural en la ética, sostiene que los principios morales con que los humanos estamos naturalmente dotados son variables, y en dos sentidos: no solo varían a través del espacio y el tiempo, sino que también pueden ser modificados deliberadamente mediante el hábito. more...

The article presents a general introduction to the commentaries on the Nicomachean Ethics written by Protestant authors during the 16th century. A unilateral view of the intellectual history of this period, caused by Luther's anti-Aristotelianism, is thus corrected. The article attends to the way in which these authors address the natural law text of EN V, 7, particularly their discussion of the peculiarly Aristotelian thesis about the mutability of natural law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

This paper studies the fraught chapter (V.7) of the Nicomachean Ethics concerning natural justice. It argues that the main tradition of commentary on the chapter has strayed onto a wrong path by misconstruing two quite precise junctures in the argument. When those two errors are corrected, there emerges an Aristotle who, far from being a champion of natural law theory in ethics, holds that the moral principles with which humans are naturally endowed are variable, and that in two senses. Not only do these moral principles vary across space and time, but also they can be deliberately modified by habituation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The secularization of the doctrine about Ethics was not a result of the protestant mentalities, but a work of much of the Catholic theologians during the late Middle Ages. Those men were faced with the need to fight against the pelagian and semipelagian doctrines which, since not distinguishing between the natural and supernatural world, so easily led to Pantheism. This task (let us call it apologetic) was not carried out by the Aristotelians, but by those who we now call Nominalists though, perhaps, we should better call them Nominals. Their solution consisted in heavily separating the natural world from the supernatural one, so that the natural, including the Natural Law, as it is natural, is part of what already is or exists, in the same way as the rest of Nature, and its compliance is morally irrelevant. Momentarily they moved away from Pelagius, but they contributed to spread the idea of a natural ethics which would exist out of Theology and would have a «rational» force. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

In this paper we will discuss the relevance of Jean-Jacques Rousseau's philosophy while remarking its capacity to promote social changes. To this end we will review some instances of his thought that are usually not considered by the History of Philosophy as philosophical works, such as his strategies to persuade the public or the emancipatory aim of his anthropological theory, and how these arguments face the defense of the Natural Law. The notable success of Rousseau in the enterprise of developing a coherent philosophical system, while fulfilling the main aim of the Enlightenment of promoting real social changes, offers valuable insights for authors trying to impact the public awareness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

¿Desde dónde reflexionar sobre el humanismo cristiano? ¿Cual es el papel que debería jugar la noción de ley natural en el humanismo cristiano? Estas dos preguntas están en la base de este artículo del Dr. Fisichella. Inicia su narración en el cambio de tiempo que pareciera representar este momento de la historia, cuál es su significado (un final o un comienzo), recoge la preocupación sobre la cuestión de los “derechos a la carta” y luego de dar un atisbo al recorrido de la noción, propone a la noción de ley natural como la base de la reflexión. more...

En el presente artículo se pretende hacer un acercamiento a la noción de ley natural con la intención de recuperarla como instancia objetiva que permita fundamentar el comportamiento ético en sociedades plurales como la de occidente, en la que conviven diversas mentalidades, distintos credos y un variado conjunto de sistemas axiológicos. Para ello se realiza un recorrido histórico que permita conocer tanto su génesis como su desarrollo para así entender las críticas que se han levantado contra ella. Terminamos exponiendo una nueva visión de ley natural que sea acorde con el carácter histórico del hombre. more...

En el pensamiento económico y político de Locke se pueden apreciar unas articulaciones que relacionan lo teológico, lo económico y lo político. Los hombres trabajan por mandato divino, y el trabajo es un concepto económico en cuanto que es la actividad productora de la propiedad privada, cuya posesión supone un derecho natural para todos los individuos. Proteger este derecho es obligación del gobierno y de las instituciones estatales. Para Locke el mercado es previo a la sociedad civil, la estructura nómica del comercio sitúa las pautas de la acción gubernamental, de modo que la circulación del dinero no debería ser intervenida directamente por el poder del soberano, ni dirigirse en función de intereses políticos particulares. En consecuencia, es posible advertir una ontología del mercado en el pensamiento lockeano, dado que la existencia del espacio comercial recoge las leyes naturales y las proyecta en el espacio político more...

En primer lugar, el trabajo muestra las dificultades implícitas en el tratado De lege (ST I-IIae qq 90-108). Luego, el autor se centra en la noética y la ontología de la ley natural tal como está presentada en ST I-IIae q. 94 a. 2. La tesis central del autor es que (1) en ese artículo, Tomás presenta sus ideas sobre normatividad de la ley natural como si ellas fueran juicios analíticos, y por tanto, necesariamente verdaderos; (2) a partir de ello, Tomás atribuye racionalidad necesaria a los datos de la experiencia. more...

The Suaretian formulation on the natural law offers one of the most brilliant and accomplished elaborations of the ius-naturalistic tradition. In this article we analyze the keys from which Suárez formulates his proposal, that finds in the concept of freedom its starting point. From the radical and inalienable call to the human being to the exercise of his freedom, Suárez reveals the essence of its elaboration, one of whose consequences would end by decanting —later on— the concept of subjective right. We also pay special attention to the epistemological aspects of its system, which we consider essential to approach a correct understanding of the Suaretian ius-naturalistic proposal. For this purpose, we offer a close comparison between the Suaretian system and the Thomistic epistemology of the natural law. more...

Copyright of Bajo Palabra: Journal of Philosophy is the property of Bajo Palabra: Journal of Philosophy and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) more...

This article provides a sweeping overview of the long-running debate on the relationship between law and morality, starting from the 1934 publication of Hans Kelsen's Pure Theory of Law and continuing until the present day (Robert Alexy, John Finnis). Deftly analyzed in this work are the noteworthy arguments of Anglo-Saxon legal positivists Herbert Hart and Joseph Raz, Ronald Dworkin's harsh critique of positivism, critical contributions to the debate by John Ralws and Jünger Habermas, and advances in natural law theory put forward by Jacques Maritain, Michel Villey, John Finnis, and Javier Hervada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Copyright of Revista Chilena de Derecho is the property of Revista Chilena de Derecho and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) more...

John Finnis' Natural Law and Natural Rights has significantly impacted the field of general jurisprudence in important ways. Finnis' thesis restored to some extent the place of natural law jurisprudence to more prominence than it had enjoyed for at least five decades. Yet, Finnis' restoration was more than a resuscitation of the classical case for a natural law that was greater than and in fact included human positive law. In academic and popular discourse, the approach of Finnis and his collaborators and disciples is «new» natural law. This article focuses on the beginning and foundation of natural law (classical and «new»): the concept of «good» (both individual and common) in Natural Law and Natural Rights. The definition of this concept and its role in the primary precepts of natural law is fundamental to all future arguments over and elaborations of natural law. Part I highlights the greatest contribution of the book to the defense of natural law jurisprudence: the defense of the objectivity of the good. Part II explores Finnis' understanding of the concept of good and, in particular, the ways in which it reinterprets or departs from Aquinas and Aristotle. Part III traces how these differences affect the work's understanding of the common good. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

John Finnis since 1980 has published many important scholarly papers treating different aspects of religious liberty. These works include both philosophical and theological perspectives. Some of the best of this work has specifically addressed Dignitatis humane, the Second Vatican Council's declaration of Religious Freedom. Perhaps surprisingly, then, Finnis says almost nothing explicitly about either the Council or about religious freedom in Natural Law and Natural Rights. I shall argue here that Finnis nonetheless identifies and cogently defends in Natural Law and Natural Rights (NLNR) the foundational components of a sound conception of religious liberty. Building upon these anchor points - drawing a line connecting the dots, if you will - one can bring this conception into clear view. Because it is constructed bottom up from deep philosophical foundations, this implicit account of religious liberty is critically justified, as well as robust. In this article I also build upon Finnis's foundations, and show how putative divine revelations to humankind impact religious liberty and, then, describe the cultural formations conducive to making robust religious liberty practically available to the inquiring, deliberating, acting person. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Despite the scrutiny that has been given to John Finnis's masterwork, Natural Law and Natural Rights, relatively little attention has been given to a feature of that work that plays a recurring role, namely, the place of the basic human good of play in the book. In addition to a number of passing references, that good is discussed in an extended way on three occasions. The first is when the good of play is introduced, as part of Finnis's taxonomy of basic human goods; the second is in his discussion of Aristotle's understanding of friendship, when Finnis reframes Aristotle's friendship of pleasure as instead friendship of play; and then finally, in Finnis's concluding chapter, with its discussion of the «further point» of morality, where Finnis, following Plato, describes the point of morality as participation in a divine play. Play's presence at the end of Natural Law and Natural Rights, indeed, in one of the culminating passages of the book, suggests that this good should be paid more attention than has been given to it. After a review of Finnis's various discussions of play, I argue that Finnis's account provides resources for answering Thomas Nagel's skeptical doubts about life's meaning; and for furthering Finnis's own claims about the authority of law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Although the theory of punishment is not a central issue in Natural Law and Natural Rights, Finnis develops there the principles of his own vision of the function of criminal law. If these assumptions are integrated with other works by Finnis in which he has explicitly defended the idea of punishment as retribution it is possible to show a table that allows to explain the fundamental aspects of criminal law. This vision of a penalty as retribution as the heart of a penal system determined by demands of justice derived from natural law constitutes a plausible solution. It is only necessary to show the requirements of the punishment consequent to a fair imputation, and determine to what extent natural law conditions the stipulations of a specific penal system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Copyright of Trans/Form/Ação is the property of Trans/Form/Acao and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) more...

Este ensayo estudia la actitud asumida por Francisco Suárez frente al pensamiento de Nicolás Maquiavelo y la razón de Estado, en el marco de los estudios históricos sobre el pensamiento español de los siglos xvi y xvii (Maravall, Tierno Galván, Fernández Santamaría), los cuales han establecido una distinción entre autores “tácitos mayores” y “tácitos menores”, tradicionalistas e innovadores, “moralistas” y “arbitristas”. En el estudio se examinan dos tesis: la más radical de Carlo Giacon, quien contrapone el pensamiento del Teólogo de Coimbra al del Secretario florentino, y la más ponderada de Cintia Faraco, que vislumbra cierto nexo entre la prudencia maquiavélica y la suareciana. A juicio del Autor, el problema se resuelve desde su raíz teniendo en cuenta que la ley del Príncipe debe ser siempre justa y recta, es decir, conforme a valores éticos, particularmente, a los expresados en la ley natural. more...

La conmemoración, en el año 2017 del cuarto Centenario de la muerte de Francisco Suárez, constituye un motivo cultural que invita a repensar la persistencia de su legado doctrinal jurídico en la Filosofía y la Teoría del Derecho de la actualidad. En este ensayo se analizan su concepción de la ley, a partir de sus elementos constitutivos y de sus implicaciones. Así como las relevantes observaciones de Suárez sobre las características del lenguaje lega. Este trabajo se propone ofrecer un balance de aquellos aspectos de la reflexión de Francisco Suárez sobre el Derecho que pueden implicar mayor interés para la cultura jurídica del presente. Se analiza, con especial atención, el carácter innovador de la concepción jurídica de Suárez con respecto a la tradición medieval y a las doctrinas de su tiempo. Se pueden advertir así rasgos anticipadores del pensamiento de Suárez con respecto a determinadas concepciones filosófico-jurídicas contemporáneas. more...

The importance of the work of the French author Jacques Maritain is beyond doubt. He was one of the initiators of the personalist movement, and had a decisive influence on the Catholic Social Thought from Populorum Progressio (1967); he also inspired the emergence of a large number of Christian-inspired parties. One of the biggest highlights of his career was the participation in the preparatory works of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, sponsored by the UN in 1948. That occasion offered him an extraordinary opportunity to discuss and make living philosophy of his thesis on natural law. This paper offers a critical review of Maritains’s thinking on natural law and analyzes his participation in the UN Declaration, which guarantees the importance of his philosophical development. more...

The medieval commentators of the Nicomachean Ethics paid special attention to the Aristotelian distinction between things that are just by nature and things that are just by law. This paper examines how three commentators from the first half of the 14th century understood this text: Radulfus Brito, Walter Burley and Geraldus Odonis. The interpretations of the first two was notoriously influenced by that of Aquinas, in spite of the Condemnation of 1277, since they understood Natural Justice in terms of Aquinas’s theory of Natural Law. On his part, Odonis, who was the first Franciscan to write a commentary on the Ethics, is more original, as evidenced in (i) his idea that in all manifestations of Legal Justice there are always underlying natural elements; (ii) his concern to link Aristotle’s teaching on Natural Justice with certain Platonic themes; and by (iii) his rather convincing analyses of the examples that Aristotle offers when addressing the possibility of change in both things that are just by nature and things that are just by law. more...