Political Philosophy and Human Nature in Thomas Aquinas

• Main Author: Anthony A. Akinwale
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: International Étienne Gilson Society 2020-09-01
• Series: Studia Gilsoniana
• Subjects: aristotle; augustine of hippo; charles taylor; common good; democracy; grace; happiness; individualism; law; legal positivism; military rule; morality; jean-pierre torrell; marie-dominique chenu; niccolo machiavelli; nigeria; plato; political community; politics; rationality; reason; relationality; religiosity; thomas aquinas; virtue
• Online Access: http://cejsh.icm.edu.pl/cejsh/element/bwmeta1.element.desklight-ce8159d8-55b1-4c1a-9339-469abcf02a4c?q=bwmeta1.element.cejsh-f9a36699-90c9-4b9f-bea2-d6631be4a97a;0&qt=CHILDREN-STATELESS

Taking into account and responding to two sets of objections to Thomas Aquinas’ credentials as political philosopher, the essay examines his political philosophy, its presupposed understanding of human nature, and its portrayal in his philosophy of law. Analysing the defining features of law in Aquinas places before the reader features of human nature, namely, rationality, relationality and religiosity. These traits enable one to find responses to what Charles Taylor has identified as “three malaises” of contemporary society and culture, namely, individualism, instrumental reason, and the political consequences of both.