Modern Approaches to “Defensor Pacis” by Marsilius of Padua

Abstract

The paper explores different approaches to political philosophy of the medieval philosopher Marsilius of Padua in his main work Defensor pacis. It examines his basic ideas about the emergence of society, forms of government, the role of secular and religious law in the life of society, and the relationship between church and state. It also shows the significance of these ideas for modern political philosophy and explores various readings of his thought, as a heresy, as an out-of-its-time modern outlook, as liberal thinking, and as a typical representation of medieval scholasticism. The paper also explores a reading of Defensor pacis offered in the fundamental historical and philosophical book of J. Habermas Auch eine Geschichte der Philosophie which sets the accents in a new way.