Christian Thomasius' theory of natural law in its religious and natural philosophical context
The subject of my PhD thesis is the natural law theory of the German Enlightenment jurist and philosopher Christian Thomasius (1655-1728) in its religious and natural philosophical context. In the intellectual history of Germany Thomasius is held to be a crucial figure in the transition from the Baroque to the Enlightenment. Although the interpretations of his work differ in detail, the consensus is that his work reflects the emancipation from antiquated, scholastic and religiously determined modes of thought to a more recognizably modern, even secular outlook in German intellectual life. Thomasius' thought is perceived as an advance towards the later development of the Enlightenment in the eighteenth century. Central to my interpretation of Thomasius' thought, however, is the emphasis on his religiously rather than on any elements of modern rationalism, which have been seen to be present in his thought. The aim of my thesis is thereby to reverse the dominant perspective on Thomasius' thought and set him in his specific historical context of seventeenth-century intellectual traditions, in which religion is of central importance. The research I have accomplished shows that Thomasius' thought represents part
Ahnert, T.
Christian Thomasius' theory of natural law in its religious and natural philosophical context. The subject of my PhD thesis is the natural law theory of the German Enlightenment jurist and philosopher Christian Thomasius (1655-1728) in its religious and natural philosophical context. In the intellectual history of Germany Thomasius is held to be a crucial figure in the transition from the Baroque to the Enlightenment. Although the interpretations of his work differ in detail, the consensus is that his work reflects the emancipation from antiquated, scholastic and religiously determined modes of thought to a more recognizably modern, even secular outlook in German intellectual life. Thomasius' thought is perceived as an advance towards the later development of the Enlightenment in the eighteenth century. Central to my interpretation of Thomasius' thought, however, is the emphasis on his religiously rather than on any elements of modern rationalism, which have been seen to be present in his thought. The aim of my thesis is thereby to reverse the dominant perspective on Thomasius' thought and set him in his specific historical context of seventeenth-century intellectual traditions, in which religion is of central importance. The research I have accomplished shows that Thomasius' thought represents part
christian theory natural_law religious natural philosophical context subject phd natural_law theory german enlightenment jurist philosopher christian religious natural philosophical context intellectual_history germany hold crucial figure transition baroque enlightenment although interpretation work differ detail consensus work reflect emancipation scholastic religiously determine mode_think modern even secular outlook german intellectual_life thought perceive advance towards later development enlightenment central interpretation thought however emphasis religiously rather element modern rationalism see present thought aim thereby reverse dominant perspective thought set specific historical_context seventeenth_century intellectual_tradition religion central_importance accomplish show thought represent part