The Cambridge Companion to Pufendorf

Samuel Pufendorf was a political, legal, historical, and theological thinker who trained in humanism and offered a new rationale for the sovereign territorial state, wrote political histories, a lay theology, and polemics against his opponents. This volume makes his thought and writing accessible to English readers for the first time.

Format: Hardback
Length: 350 pages
Publication date: 17 November 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Samuel Pufendorf, a prominent figure in the realm of political, juridical, historical, and theological thought, stands in the same intellectual league as renowned figures such as Grotius, Hobbes, and Locke. While his name may be less familiar to modern audiences, his contributions to these fields are equally significant. Trained in the erudite humanism of his time, Pufendorf brought a wealth of knowledge from ancient and modern literature to bear on his meticulously crafted arguments. These arguments were specifically designed to address contemporary political and religious challenges head-on.

Through his groundbreaking reconstruction of the discipline of natural law, Pufendorf offered a novel rationale for the sovereign territorial state. He provided this state with non-religious foundations, making it suitable for governing multi-religious societies and safeguarding his own Protestant faith. Moreover, Pufendorf drew upon his humanist learning to pen significant political histories, develop a profound lay theology, and engage in spirited polemics against his numerous opponents.

This comprehensive volume, the first to bring Pufendorf's thought and writing to the English-speaking audience, presents the full breadth and depth of his intellectual prowess. It uncovers the rich tapestry of his ideas, illuminating his profound insights into the complexities of politics, law, history, and religion. By making his works accessible to a broader audience, this volume ensures that Pufendorf's legacy continues to resonate and inspire future generations of scholars and thinkers.

ISBN-13: 9781108472692