Social Justice and Subsidiarity: Luigi Taparelli and the Origins of Modern Catholic Social Thought

Luigi Taparelli, SJ, presented a neo-Thomistic approach to social, economic, and political sciences in his Theoretical Treatise of Natural Right Based on Fact, 1840-43. His conceptions of social justice and subsidiarity are fundamental to modern Catholic social teaching (CST). He zealously deconstructs laissez-faire liberal ideology and its socialist progeny in the Civiltà Cattolica. Pope Leo XIII later sought to quiet his contribution to CST, but Taparelli's ideas are still relevant today for reasoned political and ethical discourse.

Format: Hardback
Length: 277 pages
Publication date: 30 March 2019
Publisher: The Catholic University of America Press

Luigi Taparelli, SJ, 1793-1862, presented a neo-Thomistic approach to social, economic, and political sciences in his Theoretical Treatise of Natural Right Based on Fact, 1840-43. Grounded in an integral conception of the human person as a social animal and a rational truth seeker, his ideas shaped modern Catholic social teaching (CST). Taparelli's conceptions of social justice and subsidiarity are fundamental principles of CST. He criticized laissez-faire liberal ideology and its socialist offspring in his writings, particularly in the Civiltà Cattolica, the journal he co-founded in 1850. His arguments were influential in the Syllabus of Errors (1864) of Pope Pius IX. Despite being a moderate liberal, Taparelli's reputation as an anti-liberal reactionary and defender of Papal temporal sovereignty led Pope Leo XIII to seek to quiet his contributions to CST. Pope Pius XI relied heavily on Taparelli's concept of subsidiarity in Quadragesimo Anno (1931) and sought to advance interest in Taparelli studies. However, Taparelli's eclectic philosophical orientation and writing style have been a source of debate. In this book, Taparelli's ideas are evaluated both philosophically and historically, highlighting their relevance in contemporary political and ethical discourse. The book includes an appendix of translated excerpts from Taparelli's works.

Luigi Taparelli, SJ, 1793-1862, presented a neo-Thomistic approach to social, economic, and political sciences in his Theoretical Treatise of Natural Right Based on Fact, 1840-43. Grounded in an integral conception of the human person as a social animal and a rational truth seeker, his ideas shaped modern Catholic social teaching (CST). Taparelli's conceptions of social justice and subsidiarity are fundamental principles of CST. He criticized laissez-faire liberal ideology and its socialist offspring in his writings, particularly in the Civiltà Cattolica, the journal he co-founded in 1850. His arguments were influential in the Syllabus of Errors (1864) of Pope Pius IX. Despite being a moderate liberal, Taparelli's reputation as an anti-liberal reactionary and defender of Papal temporal sovereignty led Pope Leo XIII to seek to quiet his contributions to CST. Pope Pius XI relied heavily on Taparelli's concept of subsidiarity in Quadragesimo Anno (1931) and sought to advance interest in Taparelli studies. However, Taparelli's eclectic philosophical orientation and writing style have been a source of debate. In this book, Taparelli's ideas are evaluated both philosophically and historically, highlighting their relevance in contemporary political and ethical discourse. The book includes an appendix of translated excerpts from Taparelli's works.

Weight: 554g
Dimension: 163 x 238 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780813231181