POTENTIA DEI: FROM THOMAS AQUINAS TO HOBBES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15691/0718-5448Vol7Iss1a153Keywords:
potentia absoluta, potentia ordinata, plenitudo potestatis, Thomas Aquinas, Thomas HobbesAbstract
The intention of the present work is to analyze the philosophical-theological-political consequences that the distinction between potentia dei absoluta and potentia dei ordinata, emerged in the Middle Ages, will create for the modern political thinking, particularly in that of Thomas Hobbes. It’s started from the consideration made by Pedro Damian. Then, the notion of divine power is analyzed in Thomas Aquinas, as well as the treatment that he gives to omnipotence and, finally, the secondary value he gives to the distinctio. It continues with the analysis of the versions offered by Duns Scotus and Ockham. It is also examined the elaboration made by Boniface VIII and Giles of Rome on divine omnipotence so it allows to explain the relationship of the papal power (plenitudo potestatis) with the ecclesiastic laws and temporal power. It concludes with the treatment of the problem in Thomas Hobbes’ political theology, in which the distinction is overruled in favor of the absolute power.
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