Conclusions of the debate on the relevance of Francisco Suárez's ethics today

What is it about?

This book has three key hermeneutical axes. First, and most importantly, it seeks to understand Suárez from his own work. This means reading him not by contrast or difference with or whether he says the same thing as Thomas Aquinas (1224/25–74) or other authors. Reading him on his own terms means, of course, seeing his essential keys and his systematic approach. Secondly, reading him on his own terms means contextualising him with contemporary Catholic thought, as well as the Jesuit singularity of his work. Suárez is a Catholic author who shares with many others essential elements in his understanding of God, reality and human beings. Thirdly, this book seeks to show the relevance of his work today in order to continue thinking about the central themes of philosophy and theology, especially those related to ethics, law and politics. We do not do this from an impossible hermeneutical position, that is, considering Suárez as simply a contemporary of ours. The topics he discussed and the issues he addressed must be presented with the utmost rigour, without reducing, simplifying or dehistoricising his position.

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Photo by Giammarco Boscaro on Unsplash

Photo by Giammarco Boscaro on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This book brings together various studies that, for the first time, systematically address Suarezian ethics not only from his metaphysical treatises, but also from his often-forgotten moral treatises. Here you will find a rigorous study of his contributions, limitations, and achievements.