De Monarchia

De Monarchia is the policy main theoretical work of Dante Alighieri. The work was probably written after the death of Emperor Henry VII (maybe 1316), but has yet to be seen as a response to its policy of restorations imperii.

Core point is Dante's view that the emperor must exercise world domination, so that the divine order can be realized. The Monarchia, which is divided into three books, written by Dante Aristotelian point of view, and turned the contents against the papal claim to power (see also Boniface VIII, Unam Sanctam and ). Often branded as anachronistic and naive fantasy, but the work reflected the medieval notions of the universal power of the empire.

Content

In the first chapter of the first book he describes the purpose of his work. Following the example of Aristotle, he describes that all men by nature seek knowledge. This knowledge that we should make our own, was provided to us by the ancestors available. We have been enriched by their work and the same thing it is for us to do. We must work for posterity, otherwise you failed his duty. It 's worth nothing, old repeatedly re-record, that would be a waste of time, but you have to find out new and explore. Dante wants to go further in his work, he wants to reveal the truth and that he wants to bring the truth of the temporal, secular monarchy to light, because it was still too little research. The reason was that it for the researchers had no benefit in the short term, we immediately received no profit. Dante however, believes that it is useful to work for long-term success, achieve the short term, however, no profit.

In the second chapter he defines his work steps in more detail. He wants to study the temporal monarchy, that is, everything that is beyond time, not a part of worldly monarchy, as God and souls belong to the hereafter. After that, it applies in Section 3 to define the doubts:

  • Is the monarchy for the good of humanity necessary?
  • Has the Roman people took the post of monarch is legally in claim?
  • Depends on the authority of the Empire of the papacy?

In Section 5 it comes to the realization that there are things / stuff that you can not influence, which are not subject to our control, such as mathematics, physics and metaphysics. These things can only watch. However, the things you can influence everyone needs in his own benefit. Aristotle raises the question as: "How should we act? " This in turn attracts the Bible into consideration. The Bible as an authority provides answers to the question of what is good and what is bad. Basic but says Dante, is the activity itself the goal of the human species. The prerequisite for the achievement of this objective of peace.

He answers the first question in the first book or justifies it, among other things, that everything is ordered to one, it is the intention and self-expression of God on earth, a supreme judge was necessary in worldly affairs and the people under the monarch's the greatest freedom possess.

In the second book he gives arguments as to why the Roman people by right holds because the office of the monarch. He is of the opinion that the Roman people is the adeligste, was used by nature to rule and has triumphed against all others.

The construction of the third book differs from the other two in that Dante first refuted the arguments of his opponents, the dependence of the authority of the empire from that of the papacy through the Bible and history, for example, justified by the Donation of Constantine. In the second part of Dante begins with the exposition of his truth. The church does not have the power to use the Emperor, but the imperial authority comes directly from God. Man has two overarching goals, the earthly and the heavenly paradise. He gets there by various means, with the reason ( philosophical virtues ) and with faith ( theological virtues ). Emperor and the Pope, which are necessary because of human desires, to take the lead to the achievement of both goals. They are both ordained by God and each other independently and equally.

In the 15th century the humanist Marsilio Ficino De Monarchia translated into Italian.

Translations

  • Monarchey Dazs or the Keyserthumb to the Wolfart images this world from emergencies, BJ Heroldt, Basel 1559 ( facsimile 1965)
  • About the monarchy, KL Kannegießer, Leipzig 1845
  • About the monarchy, O. Hubatsch, Berlin 1872
  • Monarchy, C. Sauter, Freiburg im Breisgau 1913 (reprint 1974)
  • The monarchy, W. of the stones, Munich 1923
  • Monarchia. Study lat.-dt. edition, ed. by R. Imbach and C. Flüeler, Stuttgart 1998
Convivio De vulgari eloquentia Integrated Authority File
234336
de