History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps HoP 455 - Tom Pink on Francisco Suárez
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Oct 27, 2024 Tom Pink, a philosophy professor at King's College London and an expert on Francisco Suárez, dives into the intricate ethical theories of the 16th-century Spanish Jesuit. They explore Suárez's nuanced views on moral action, highlighting how reason and freedom shape our decisions. Pink discusses the complex relationship between divine authority and moral obligation, alongside the balance of civil and religious duties. The conversation also contrasts Suárez's political philosophy with that of Hobbes, shedding light on their differing perspectives on authority and freedom.
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Suarez's Theory of Action
- For Suarez, actions are psychological events in the will, unlike the modern view of actions as effects of mental states.
- Goal direction is intrinsic to the action, not provided by prior causes.
Freedom and Reason as Unique Powers
- Suarez believes that freedom and reason are powers distinct from ordinary causation.
- Freedom allows control over actions, while reason's power makes us susceptible to truth and goodness.
Justifications as Powerful Movers
- Suarez argues that justifications, related to truth and goodness, exert power over us. The force of goodness moves our will, unlike modern philosophy, where passions drive decisions.