Traditions of Natural Law in Medieval Philosophy

During the Middle Ages, Christian thinkers developed the first systematic accounts of natural law and articulated the framework for subsequent reflection. Jewish and Islamic traditions also developed their own canonical statements on the moral authority of reason vis-à-vis divine law, which grapple with the problem of ethical and religious pluralism. This collection brings together contributions from various expert scholars to explore these issues and the pluralism that exists within medieval reflection on natural law.

Format: Hardback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 08 July 2022
Publisher: The Catholic University of America Press

Reflection on natural law reaches a highpoint during the Middle Ages, with Christian thinkers working out the first systematic accounts of natural law and articulating the framework for subsequent reflection. The Jewish and Islamic traditions also develop their own canonical statements on the moral authority of reason vis-à-vis divine law, which some argue articulate their own theories of natural law. These various traditions of medieval reflection on natural law, and their interrelation, merit further study, particularly since they touch upon many current philosophical concerns. They grapple with the problem of ethical and religious pluralism, considering whether universally valid standards of action and social life are accessible to those who rely on reason rather than divine law. In so doing, they develop sophisticated accounts of many central issues in metaethics, action theory, jurisprudence, and the philosophy of religion. However, do they reach a consensus about natural law, or do they end up defending incommensurable ethical frameworks? Do they confirm the value of arguments based on natural law or do they cast doubt on it?

This collection brings together contributions from various expert scholars to explore these issues and the pluralism that exists within medieval reflection on natural law. It is the first one to study the relation between the natural law theories of these various traditions of medieval philosophy: Jewish, Islamic, Byzantine, and Latin. Each of the first four essays surveys the natural law theory of one of the religious traditions of medieval philosophy—Jewish, Islamic, Byzantine, and Latin—and its relation to the others. The next four essays explore some of the alternative accounts of natural law that arise within the La.

The natural law theory of Jewish philosophy is rooted in the Torah, which emphasizes the importance of justice, compassion, and the pursuit of peace. Jewish philosophers such as Maimonides and Rambam argue that natural law is based on the inherent moral principles of human beings and that it can be discovered through reason and observation. They also emphasize the importance of the commandments and the role of the rabbinic tradition in interpreting and applying natural law.

The natural law theory of Islamic philosophy is based on the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. Islamic philosophers such as al-Ghazali and Ibn Rushd argue that natural law is derived from the divine nature of reality and that it can be discovered through the study of the natural world and the principles of reason. They also emphasize the importance of the Sharia, or Islamic law, as a guide for moral action.

The natural law theory of Byzantine philosophy is rooted in the teachings of St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas. Byzantine philosophers such as John Philoponus and Maximus the Confessor argue that natural law is based on the divine wisdom and order of the universe and that it can be discovered through the study of philosophy and theology. They also emphasize the importance of the emperor as the protector of natural law and the role of the church in interpreting and applying natural law.

The natural law theory of Latin philosophy is rooted in the teachings of St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas. Latin philosophers such as Boethius and St. Bonaventure argue that natural law is based on the inherent moral principles of human beings and that it can be discovered through the study of philosophy and theology. They also emphasize the importance of the Roman law as a guide for moral action.

The natural law theories of these various traditions of medieval philosophy are interconnected and interdependent, with each tradition contributing to the development of natural law theory in its own way. However, there are also significant differences between these traditions, particularly in their approaches to the role of reason and the authority. Jewish philosophers emphasize the importance of reason and the use of logic to discover natural law, while Islamic philosophers emphasize the importance of the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. Byzantine philosophers emphasize the importance of philosophy and theology in discovering natural law, while Latin philosophers emphasize the importance of Roman law.

Despite these differences, there are also common themes that unite these various traditions of medieval reflection on natural law. For example, all of these traditions emphasize the importance of the inherent moral principles of human beings and the role of the individual in pursuing moral action. They also emphasize the importance of the commandments and the role of the rabbinic tradition in interpreting and applying natural law. They also emphasize the importance of the Sharia, or Islamic law, as a guide for moral action.

In conclusion, the natural law theories of the various traditions of medieval philosophy are interconnected and interdependent, with each tradition contributing to the development of natural law theory in its own way. However, there are also significant differences between these traditions, particularly in their approaches to the role of reason and the role of the divine. These various traditions of medieval reflection on natural law, and their interrelation, merit further study, particularly since they touch upon many current philosophical concerns. They grapple with the problem of ethical and religious pluralism. They consider whether universally valid standards of action and social life are accessible to those who rely on reason rather than divine law. In so doing, they develop sophisticated accounts of many central issues in metaethics, action theory, jurisprudence, and the philosophy of religion. However, do they reach a consensus about natural law, or do they end up defending incommensurable ethical frameworks? Do they confirm the value of arguments based on natural law or do they cast doubt on it?

This collection brings together contributions from various expert scholars to explore these issues and the pluralism that exists within medieval reflection on natural law. It is the first one to study the relation between the natural law theories of these various traditions of medieval philosophy: Jewish, Islamic, Byzantine, and Latin. Each of the first four essays surveys the natural law theory of one of the religious traditions of medieval philosophy—Jewish, Islamic, Byzantine, and Latin—and its relation to the others. The next four essays explore some of the alternative accounts of natural law that arise within the La.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780813235387