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Acton Line

Early Modern Economics, Ethics, and Law

Feb 19, 2025
Andrew M. McGinnis, assistant director of research at the CRCD and managing editor of the Journal of Religion, Culture & Democracy, dives into early modern economics and ethics. He sheds light on the School of Salamanca's contributions and the revival of natural law in Protestant thought. McGinnis discusses how print culture during the Reformation shaped ideas and emphasizes the moral complexity of commerce. The conversation also explores exciting technological advancements that help uncover lost manuscripts, inviting curiosity about historical treasures.
55:43

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Historical resourcement highlights the importance of revisiting early modern texts to enrich current discussions in economics, ethics, and law.
  • The challenges of translating early modern works underline the necessity for accessible scholarship to promote understanding of natural law's relevance today.

Deep dives

The Importance of Historical Resourcement

Historical resourcement emphasizes the necessity of revisiting early modern sources to enrich contemporary discussions in economics, ethics, and law. It is essential to recognize that many ideas in these fields were developed by thinkers in the late medieval and early modern periods, whose contributions have often been overlooked. By examining these foundational texts, scholars can gain insights that challenge the notion of chronological snobbery, where the current generation assumes that modern ideas are inherently superior. This historical perspective not only provides context for today's debates but also highlights the continuity of thought across time.

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