Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-1-2011
Publication Title
The Journal of Religion
Volume
91
Issue Number
2
First Page
158
Last Page
187
DOI
10.1086/658107
Keywords
Dante, Divine Comedy, Monarchia, Convivio, political theology
Disciplines
History of Philosophy | Italian Literature | Medieval Studies | Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion
Abstract
I discuss Dante’s understanding that human existence is “ordered by two final goals” and how this understanding defines philosophy’s and theology’s respective scopes of authority in guiding human conduct. I show that, while Dante devalues the philosophical authority associated with the traditional Aristotelian emphasis on the significance of contemplative activity, he does so in order to highlight philosophy’s ethico-political authority to guide human conduct toward its “earthly beatitude.” Moreover, I argue that, although Dante subordinates earthly beatitude to spiritual beatitude, he nonetheless maintains that philosophy’s authority to reveal a path to spiritual beatitude requires its fundamental independence from theology.
Recommended Citation
Jason Aleksander. "Dante’s Understanding of the Two Ends of Human Desire and the Relationship between Philosophy and Theology" The Journal of Religion (2011): 158-187. https://doi.org/10.1086/658107
Included in
History of Philosophy Commons, Italian Literature Commons, Medieval Studies Commons, Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons
Comments
© 2011 by The University of Chicago. All rights reserved.