Saint Augustine on the Philosophy of Law vs. Saint Thomas d'Aquin sur la Philosophie du Droit

Attribute	Saint Augustine on the Philosophy of Law	Saint Thomas d'Aquin sur la Philosophie du Droit
View on Natural Law	Believed in the existence of natural law as derived from God's eternal law	Also believed in natural law, but emphasized the importance of human reason in understanding it
Role of Reason	Emphasized the limitations of human reason in understanding divine law	Believed that human reason could lead to a better understanding of natural law
View on Divine Law	Considered divine law as the highest authority, above human laws	Also recognized divine law as supreme, but saw human laws as necessary for governing society
Concept of Justice	Defined justice as giving to each what is due, based on divine law	Viewed justice as a virtue that involves giving each their due, in accordance with natural law

Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine, also known as Augustine of Hippo, was a prominent Christian theologian and philosopher in the late Roman Empire. His views on the philosophy of law were deeply influenced by his Christian beliefs and his understanding of the relationship between God's law and human law. Augustine believed that human law should be based on divine law, which he saw as the ultimate source of justice and morality.

One of Augustine's key ideas was the concept of the "eternal law," which he believed was the divine order that governed the universe. According to Augustine, human laws should be in harmony with the eternal law in order to be just and legitimate. He argued that laws that were not in line with divine law were unjust and should not be obeyed.

Augustine also emphasized the importance of conscience in the philosophy of law. He believed that individuals should follow their conscience, which he saw as a reflection of divine law within each person. Augustine argued that individuals should obey just laws but also resist unjust laws that went against their conscience.

Overall, Augustine's philosophy of law was deeply rooted in his Christian faith and his belief in the supremacy of divine law. He saw human law as a reflection of divine law and believed that individuals should strive to align their actions with the eternal law in order to achieve justice and righteousness.

Saint Thomas d'Aquin

Saint Thomas d'Aquin, also known as Thomas Aquinas, was a medieval philosopher and theologian who greatly influenced Christian thought. His views on the philosophy of law were based on a synthesis of Christian theology and Aristotelian philosophy. Thomas d'Aquin believed that human law should be based on natural law, which he saw as the rational order of the universe.

One of Thomas d'Aquin's key ideas was the concept of natural law, which he believed was derived from God's eternal law and was accessible to human reason. He argued that human laws should be in accordance with natural law in order to be just and legitimate. Thomas d'Aquin believed that natural law provided a universal standard of morality that applied to all human beings.

Thomas d'Aquin also emphasized the importance of reason in the philosophy of law. He believed that human beings were capable of understanding and following natural law through the use of reason. Thomas d'Aquin argued that individuals should use their reason to discern the principles of natural law and apply them to their actions.

Overall, Thomas d'Aquin's philosophy of law was based on his belief in the rational order of the universe and the accessibility of natural law to human reason. He saw human law as a reflection of natural law and believed that individuals should use their reason to discern and follow the principles of natural law in order to achieve justice and morality.

Comparison

While both Saint Augustine and Saint Thomas d'Aquin were Christian theologians who believed in the importance of divine or natural law in the philosophy of law, they had some key differences in their views. Augustine emphasized the supremacy of divine law and the importance of conscience in following it, while Thomas d'Aquin focused on the rational order of the universe and the accessibility of natural law through reason.

• Augustine believed that human laws should be based on divine law, which he saw as the ultimate source of justice and morality.
• Thomas d'Aquin believed that human laws should be based on natural law, which he saw as the rational order of the universe.
• Augustine emphasized the concept of the "eternal law" as the divine order that governed the universe.
• Thomas d'Aquin emphasized the concept of natural law as derived from God's eternal law and accessible to human reason.
• Augustine emphasized the importance of conscience in following divine law and resisting unjust laws.
• Thomas d'Aquin emphasized the importance of reason in discerning and following natural law.

In conclusion, while Saint Augustine and Saint Thomas d'Aquin shared a belief in the importance of divine or natural law in the philosophy of law, they had different perspectives on the source of law and the role of reason and conscience in following it. Augustine's philosophy was deeply rooted in his Christian faith and his belief in the supremacy of divine law, while Thomas d'Aquin's philosophy was based on his synthesis of Christian theology and Aristotelian philosophy, emphasizing the rational order of the universe and the accessibility of natural law through reason.