John of Salisbury

OverviewWho was John of Salisbury?

How did he view the relationship between political and religious authorities?

After 476 AD… The fall of the Roman Empire left

a large power vacuum Two institutions eventually arose

as legitimate alternatives to the Empire:

1. Feudalism

2. The Catholic Church

ImplicationsFeudal institutions and the Church

helped keep the fabric of society together

The relationship between Church and state would continue to be problematic even until the Middle Ages.Who was sovereign over whom?

Named after Pope Gelasius I (492-496AD)

Also known as the doctrine of the two swords

The doctrine submits that there are two swords of power:SacredRoyal

The Gelasian Doctrine

sovereign in spiritual matters

sovereign in temporal affairs

John of Salisbury (1115-1180)Catholic philosopher during the

Feudal periodStudied philosophy and arts in

ParisHad plenty of experience in

public affairs (kings and popes)Papalist

On Royal AuthorityPolitical authorities are servants

of the peopleBoth political and religious

authority have their source in God

As such, secular authority must be in accordance with natural law.

Rulers and AuthorityFundamentally rooted in the

principle of equityThe basis of equity is (natural)

law, and hence should apply to all things

Rulers are obliged to obey the law out of a love for justice

On Justice and Mercy(Positive) Laws are instruments

of justiceThe object of such instruments

is to secure the welfare of our fellow man

Hence, harsh laws should only be used as necessary

Rulers and PriestsAll earthly authority has its

source in GodRulers have authority in secular

matters, priests in religious affairs

In essence, priests bestow authority upon rulers

State as an OrganismSalisbury subscribes to the view

of the state as a commonwealthAs such, the state is a body

composed if different parts with different functions (reciprocity)

These functions affirm that rulers are subordinate to priests

Liberty and ToleranceLiberty is not absoluteTrue liberty stems from virtueTolerance is a special virtue

that should be practicedAs such, individuals have the

qualified right to depose tyrants

LessonsAuthority should be rooted in

broader principles of morals equity, law and justice

Laws should be reasonableNeither liberty nor tolerance are

absoluteIndividuals have the right to

depose oppressive rulers