Introduction. (July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Williams, David Lay
• Is Part Of: European journal of political theory. Volume 20:Number 3(2021)
• Page Start: 568
• Page End: 574
• Publication Date: 2021-07
• Subjects: Amour-propre -- divine justice -- François Fénelon -- religion and politics -- theology; Political science -- Periodicals; Political science -- Europe -- Periodicals; 320.05
• DOI: 10.1177/14748851211002020
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1474-8851

Abstract

This introduction to the review symposium on Ryan Patrick Hanley's works on the relatively neglected early modern philosopher François Fénelon (1651–1715) provides a brief overview of the symposium itself before turning to Hanley's treatment of Fénelon's work on the intersection of politics and religion, culminating in a comparison of Fénelon with his most celebrated admirer, Jean-Jacques Rousseau. The article sketches how both francophone thinkers employ conceptions of divine justice as a measure to counter the dangers of amour-propre, contrasting Fénelon's thick theology with Rousseau's thin theology.