Thomas Aquinas anthropological-metaphysical and theological understanding of inequality among men
Keywords:
Thomas Aquinas, Social Inequality, Social Trifunctionality, Social MobilityAbstract
The social and political philosophy of Thomas Aquinas is explored here in relation to inequality among men, and, naturally, also in relation to equality. This paper is the continuation of a first part -published in the previous issue of this journal-, which dealt with the metaphysical-theological doctrine of inequality among men according to St. Thomas. This second part examines inequality/equality from an economic-social and political point of view, where the key concept is that of trifunctionality. After analyzing the three functions, both from a social and political point of view, the study culminates with a reflection on the philosophy of economics and social mobility, paying special attention to the interpretation offered in this regard by Thomas of Vio, Cardinal Cajetan.
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