Skip to main content

Like Kraynak and Canavan, Fortin rejects Tierney’s claim that John Locke’s philosophy was simply an evolution of 12th-century Catholic canon law. Fortin argues that Tierney confuses a linguistic similarity with a philosophical continuity, thereby obscuring the radically secular and revolutionary nature of Lockean liberalism.

The critique from Fr. Ernest Fortin—a prominent Catholic theologian, classical political philosopher, and student of Leo Strauss—directly challenges Brian Tierney’s historical thesis regarding the medieval roots of modern individual natural rights.
Like Kraynak and Canavan, Fortin rejects Tierney’s claim that John Locke’s philosophy was simply an evolution of 12th-century Catholic canon law. Fortin argues that Tierney confuses a linguistic similarity with a philosophical continuity, thereby obscuring the radically secular and revolutionary nature of Lockean liberalism. [1]
The Core of Fortin's Critique: A Radical Mutation, Not an Evolution
Fortin outlines his objections to Tierney and the "continuity school" in essays like The Natural Wrong in Natural Rights. His critique centers on several fundamental points: [1]
  • The Shift from "Right" to "A Right": Fortin stresses that in classical and medieval thought (such as the theology of Thomas Aquinas), jus meant objective rightness or "what is fair" under a cosmic order. It dictated an individual's duties to God and the community. Locke shifted the meaning of jus to a subjective claim—a personal power or freedom owned by the individual. Fortin argues that Tierney mistakenly views the emergence of individual legal protections in the Middle Ages as the birth of modern subjective rights, failing to see that the underlying moral framework had been totally inverted. [1]
  • The Fatal Rejection of Teleology: Medieval canon law was teleological, meaning human life had a natural purpose: to achieve virtue and eternal salvation. Locke's philosophy, however, rejects this shared moral purpose. Fortin points out that Lockean rights are grounded in the state of nature, a hypothetical pre-political condition driven by the raw instinct for self-preservation. Fortin argues Tierney fails to see that Locke’s rights are born from fear and individual survival, not Christian charity or divine order.
  • The "Trojan Horse" of Modernity: Fortin asserts that Tierney’s attempt to baptize Locke’s ideas is dangerous for Christian theology. By trying to claim Locke as an heir to Catholicism, Tierney inadvertently smuggles a deeply individualistic, anti-teleological philosophy into Christian social teaching. Fortin warns that once a society adopts Lockean rights as its ultimate foundation, it inevitably strips the state of its authority to promote the common good and cultivate human virtue. [1, 2]
Comparison of Key Assumptions
Philosophical CategoryBrian Tierney's InterpretationErnest Fortin's Critique
Foundational ConceptContinuity: Locke expanded on legal faculties (facultas) defined by medieval church lawyers.Discontinuity: Locke initiated a radical break by prioritizing individual desires over cosmic duties.
Human MotivationDignity: Rights are a legal reflection of the free will and dignity given to humans by God.Self-Preservation: Lockean rights stem from the passion to survive in a hostile state of nature.
Purpose of the StateProtection: To safeguard the naturally occurring rights of individuals.Virtue: Classical and Christian states must orient citizens toward objective virtue and the common good.

If you want to dive deeper into this academic debate, we can explore Fortin’s specific critique of how modern Catholic Social Teaching adopted this rights language, or look at Leo Strauss's influence on Fortin's reading of John Locke. [1]

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Davis wrote in katharine the great, her 1979 unauthorized biography of katharine graham, owner of the washington post, that the cia ran an "operation mockingbird"

https://spartacus-educational.com/JFKdavisD.htm Deborah Davis is a journalist who has published articles in the  New York Times ,  Village Voice  and  Ramparts . In 1979 Davis published a book about  Katharine Graham  ( Katharine the Great ). The book also looked at the connections between  Philip Graham  and the  Central Intelligence Agency . According to Davis the owner of the  Washington Post  was a key figure in  Operation Mockingbird , a CIA program to influence the American media. According to Davis,  Cord Meyer  was Mockingbird's "principal operative". Davis also argued that  Deep Throat  was  Richard Ober . Later, she claimed the source of this claim was a senior official in the CIA. As she pointed out in  Katharine the Great : "The president also began to rely heavily upon the counsel of Richard Ober, Angleton's deputy, the man in the CIA most concerned with domestic counterintelligence, a...
Post a Comment
Read more

Vox Cantoris vs. Aqua

The Catholic Monitor commenter Aqua had this to say to the Vox Cantoris website: Aqua said… Fred, your topic here reminds me of a dust-up, a few days ago, on Vox Cantoris. He asserted that it is our duty as Christians to wear masks to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass if the government tells us we must, or they will close our Churches. My response to him was that I find it inconceivable that an orthodox Catholic, such as himself, would ever submit to unjust dictates from secular government over how we approach Our Lord in Holy Mass. My response to him was that the Mass belongs to Catholics and we decide, within the bounds of Tradition, and in accord with the Word of Jesus, how we conduct ourselves in Holy Mass. Only one authority prevails over Mass and that is our God and the Sacred Tradition given by Him to guide us in all times and places. Understand, there is nothing inherently wrong with wearing a mask to Mass. But there is EVERYTHING wrong with wearing a symbol...
9 comments
Read more

Nocturia Management Tips -- Dr. Grace Prescott addresses nocturia—frequent nighttime urination—explaining its risks, debunking common myths, and presenting the ASIM method and supporting techniques to help reclaim uninterrupted sleep.

https://coconote.app/notes/1eef4468-3436-4f1a-a3e0-605134efdd8a Overview Dr. Grace Prescott addresses nocturia—frequent nighttime urination—explaining its risks, debunking common myths, and presenting the ASIM method and supporting techniques to help reclaim uninterrupted sleep. The Problem of Nocturia Nocturia refers to waking repeatedly at night to urinate, affecting up to 70% of adults over 60. It increases the risk of falls, cognitive decline, heart strain, and emotional distress. Causes include reduced nighttime ADH hormone, decreased bladder capacity, and fluid redistribution from swollen legs. Common Myths and Mistakes Drinking less water during the day can worsen nocturia by irritating the bladder and concentrating urine. Most cases are not caused by a small bladder, but by excessive nighttime urine production. Alcohol before bed both suppresses ADH and acts as a diuretic, increasing nighttime urination and disrupting sleep quality. The ASIM Hydration Method Adjust  hydrati...
Post a Comment
Read more