On the logic of theocracy

I identify the objectionable element in theocracy, not with reliance on God as such, nor with the idea that God might have something to do with morality, but with the anti-human propensity to issue orders without communicating good reasons for them. In medieval discussion prohibitions not based on g...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Scarlett, Brian (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Springer Netherlands 2004
In: Sophia
Year: 2004, Volume: 43, Issue: 1, Pages: 3-22
Further subjects:B Conceptual Connection
B Catholic Social Teaching
B Divine Command
B Sexual Intercourse
B Human Good
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Description
Summary:I identify the objectionable element in theocracy, not with reliance on God as such, nor with the idea that God might have something to do with morality, but with the anti-human propensity to issue orders without communicating good reasons for them. In medieval discussion prohibitions not based on good reasons attracted the labelmalum quia prohibitum, bad because forbidden and I take this to be the criterion of theocracy in its objectionable form. I examine, in part of the Vatican’s doctrine against contraception, a persistent tendency towards this approach, a tendency incompatible with the tradition of the Church and ultimately incompatible even with the thirteenth century discussion of such issues in the work of Thomas Aquinas.
ISSN:1873-930X
Contains:Enthalten in: Sophia
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1007/BF02782434