The Theological Basis of Liberal Modernity in Montesquieu's "Spirit of the Laws"

The Theological Basis of Liberal Modernity in Montesquieu's Author: Thomas L. Pangle
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 0226645525
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 205

Get Book Here

Book Description
The Spirit of the Laws—Montesquieu’s huge, complex, and enormously influential work—is considered one of the central texts of the Enlightenment, laying the foundation for the liberally democratic political regimes that were to embody its values. In his penetrating analysis, Thomas L. Pangle brilliantly argues that the inherently theological project of Enlightenment liberalism is made more clearly—and more consequentially— in Spirit than in any other work. In a probing and careful reading, Pangle shows how Montesquieu believed that rationalism, through the influence of liberal institutions and the spread of commercial culture, would secularize human affairs. At the same time, Pangle uncovers Montesquieu’s views about the origins of humanity’s religious impulse and his confidence that political and economic security would make people less likely to sacrifice worldly well-being for otherworldly hopes. With the interest in the theological aspects of political theory and practice showing no signs of diminishing, this book is a timely and insightful contribution to one of the key achievements of Enlightenment thought.

The Theological Basis of Liberal Modernity in Montesquieu's "Spirit of the Laws"

The Theological Basis of Liberal Modernity in Montesquieu's Author: Thomas L. Pangle
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 0226645525
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 205

Get Book Here

Book Description
The Spirit of the Laws—Montesquieu’s huge, complex, and enormously influential work—is considered one of the central texts of the Enlightenment, laying the foundation for the liberally democratic political regimes that were to embody its values. In his penetrating analysis, Thomas L. Pangle brilliantly argues that the inherently theological project of Enlightenment liberalism is made more clearly—and more consequentially— in Spirit than in any other work. In a probing and careful reading, Pangle shows how Montesquieu believed that rationalism, through the influence of liberal institutions and the spread of commercial culture, would secularize human affairs. At the same time, Pangle uncovers Montesquieu’s views about the origins of humanity’s religious impulse and his confidence that political and economic security would make people less likely to sacrifice worldly well-being for otherworldly hopes. With the interest in the theological aspects of political theory and practice showing no signs of diminishing, this book is a timely and insightful contribution to one of the key achievements of Enlightenment thought.

Montesquieu and the Spirit of Modernity

Montesquieu and the Spirit of Modernity PDF Author: David Wallace Carrithers
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Eighteenth century
Languages : en
Pages : 257

Get Book Here

Book Description


Montesquieu and the Spirit of Modernity

Montesquieu and the Spirit of Modernity PDF Author: David W. Carrithers
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781789626810
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 269

Get Book Here

Book Description
Crucial to an understanding of Montesquieu's work is the contrast he drew between ancient and modern mentalités. 'Les politiques grecs,' he wrote in his classic workDe l'esprit des lois(1748), 'qui vivaient dans le gouvernement populaire, ne reconnaissaient d'autre force qui pût les soutenir que celle de la vertu. Ceux d'aujourd'hui ne nous parlent que de manufactures, de commerce, de finances, de richesses et de luxe meme.'Ancient philosophers had conceptualised model regimes where human beings would flourish in accordance with their natural purposes and potentialities shaped by good laws well obeyed. Such moderns as Montesquieu, on the other hand, ceased to regard the state as a school for morality. No longer concerned with improving man's soul, politics focused instead on the achievement of liberty, security and material prosperity.Clearly something novel and distinctive, something recognisably 'modern', arose during the period from Machiavelli to Montesquieu. A teleological universe suffused with transcendent meaning and purposeful ends was supplanted by a more secular, 'disenchanted' world-view. Both the Christian conception of a life lived in humble devotion to the moral commandments of revealed religion and the classical conception of a virtuous life devoted to ethical perfection were challenged by a new political realism stressing the dominance of the passions over reason and the constructive potential of self-interest.The authors of the eleven essays comprising this volume explore the complex relations between Montesquieu and modernity and between Montesquieu and antiquity. Assessing the content of his three major works, they conclude that whereas the label 'modern' suits Montesquieu, he nonetheless retained certain philosophical approaches characteristic of antiquity as well as a high regard for the primacy accorded to politics and philosophy in the classical era.

Montesquieu

Montesquieu PDF Author: Susan Gordon
Publisher: The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc
ISBN: 9781404204218
Category : Juvenile Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 116

Get Book Here

Book Description
Highlights the life of philosopher and prolific author Chales Montesquieu and discusses two of his well-known books on political philosophy, "Persian Letters" and "The Spirit of the Laws."

The Spirit of Laws

The Spirit of Laws PDF Author: Montesquieu
Publisher: Masterlab
ISBN: 8363625957
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages :

Get Book Here

Book Description
The Spirit of Laws is a treatise on political theory first published by Charles de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu in 1748. Montesquieu pleaded in favor of a constitutional system of government and the separation of powers, the ending of slavery, the preservation of civil liberties and the law, and the idea that political institutions ought to reflect the social and geographical aspects of each community.

The Spirit of Laws

The Spirit of Laws PDF Author: Montesquieu
Publisher: Univ of California Press
ISBN: 0520341368
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 516

Get Book Here

Book Description
Montesquieu's The Spirit of Laws is an enduring classic of social and political theory deserving a fresh reading every generation. The modern reader, however, is likely to find a work that ran to over a thousand pages in its two-volume first edition a bit overwhelming. Presented here, therefore, is the first English-language compendium of The Spirit of Laws, together with the first English translation of the posthumously published treatise containing the physiological theory underlying Montesquieu's theory of climate.

The Spirit of Laws

The Spirit of Laws PDF Author: Charles de Secondat baron de Montesquieu
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Jurisprudence
Languages : en
Pages : 492

Get Book Here

Book Description


The Spirit of the Laws

The Spirit of the Laws PDF Author: Charles de Secondat
Publisher: Good Press
ISBN:
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 785

Get Book Here

Book Description
In 'The Spirit of the Laws,' Charles de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu, embarks upon a monumental examination of the principles governing laws and their relation to the nature and needs of the people they serve. This collection stands out for its rigorous analysis and broad sweep, encapsulating a variety of legal systems, from the democratic republics of antiquity to the monarchies of Europe. Montesquieus comparative methodology and keen insight into the mechanics of power and governance render this work a cornerstone in the field of political theory, highlighting its enduring relevance and contribution to Enlightenment thought. Montesquieu himself brings a background rich in legal and philosophical training, infusing his work with a depth of understanding that bridges the gap between empirical observation and theoretical constructs. This collection is emblematic of the Enlightenment's broader intellectual movements, advocating for the separation of powers and the promotion of civil liberties. Through his exploration of different governmental forms, Montesquieu provides a framework that has profoundly influenced both the drafting of constitutions and the development of modern political science. Readers are invited to delve into 'The Spirit of the Laws' not merely as a historical document, but as a vibrant collection offering invaluable insights into the machinations of law and governance. Montesquieus opus forms a critical nexus of philosophical inquiry and practical politics, extending an invitation to explore the intricate relationship between laws and the principles of social justice they aim to serve. This anthology is essential for those interested in the evolution of legal theory, the history of political thought, and the intellectual foundations of modern democracy.

Montesquieu's Science of Politics

Montesquieu's Science of Politics PDF Author: Charles de Secondat baron de Montesquieu
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 9780742511811
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 474

Get Book Here

Book Description
In what constitutes the only English-language collection of essays ever dedicated to the analysis of Montesquieu's contributions to political science, the contributors review some of the most vexing controversies that have arisen in the interpretation of Montesquieu's thought. By paying careful attention to the historical, political, and philosophical contexts of Montesquieu's ideas, the contributors provide fresh readings of The Spirit of Laws, clarify the goals and ambitions of its author, and point out the pertinence of his thinking to the problems of our world today.

The Spirit of the Laws

The Spirit of the Laws PDF Author: Charles de Secondat
Publisher: DigiCat
ISBN:
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 784

Get Book Here

Book Description
The Spirit of the Laws is a treatise on political theory, as well as a pioneering work in comparative law, published in 1748 by Montesquieu. Originally published anonymously, partly because Montesquieu's works were subject to censorship, its influence outside France was aided by its rapid translation into other languages. In 1751 the Roman Catholic Church added De l'esprit des lois to its Index Librorum Prohibitorum. Yet Montesquieu's treatise had an enormous influence on the work of many others, most notably: Catherine the Great, who produced Nakaz (Instruction); the Founding Fathers of the United States Constitution; and Alexis de Tocqueville, who applied Montesquieu's methods to a study of American society, in Democracy in America.