| The Disintegration of Natural Law Theory: Aquinas to Finnis Contributor(s): Westerman (Author) |
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ISBN: 9004109994 ISBN-13: 9789004109995 Publisher: Brill OUR PRICE: $157.70 Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats Published: January 1997 Annotation: John Finnis's proposal to rehabilitate Aquinas's natural law theory as an appropriate foundation of legal and moral theory rests on the assumption that Aquinas's theory can be restored by eliminating the mistaken interpretations of subsequent natural law theorists. This book challenges that assumption. After a brief analysis of Aquinas, the theories of Suarez, Grotius, and Pufendorf are investigated. It is argued that their theories are no 'mistakes', but attempts at solving problems inherent in natural law theory. As these attempts all fail, tensions remain, and ultimately lead to the demise of the theory. Finally it is argued that Finnis, running into the same problems, cannot hope to restore Aquinas's theoretical edifice. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Law | Natural Law - Architecture | Interior Design - General - History | Europe - Medieval |
| Dewey: 340.112 |
| LCCN: 97038234 |
| Series: Brill's Studies in Intellectual History |
| Physical Information: 1.03" H x 9.58" W x 6.34" (1.56 lbs) 328 pages |
| Themes: - Chronological Period - Medieval (500-1453) |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: John Finnis's proposal to rehabilitate Aquinas's natural law theory as an appropriate foundation of legal and moral theory rests on the assumption that Aquinas's theory can be restored by eliminating the mistaken interpretations of subsequent natural law theorists. This book challenges that assumption. After a brief analysis of Aquinas, the theories of Su rez, Grotius, and Pufendorf are investigated. It is argued that their theories are no 'mistakes', but attempts at solving problems inherent in natural law theory. As these attempts all fail, tensions remain, and ultimately lead to the demise of the theory. Finally it is argued that Finnis, running into the same problems, cannot hope to restore Aquinas's theoretical edifice. |