William of Ockham's political philosophy

Pozderac, Domagoj. (2016). William of Ockham's political philosophy. Diploma Thesis. Filozofski fakultet u Zagrebu, Department of Philosophy. [mentor Raunić, Raul].

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Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to examine William of Ockham’s political philosophy and to provide an overview of the main concepts and issues he dealt with in his polemical works. As a political writer, Ockham was occupied primarily with the relationship between secular and ecclesiastical power – he entirely desacralized secular power and is considered one of the first philosophers who advocated the separation of regnum and sacerdotium. Apart from providing a detailed analysis of Ockham’s understanding of the nature, origins and functions of both secular and papal power, this paper also explores his view of common good as the guiding principle and the key criterion for good government and examines his ideas concerning the limitation of power as well. Ockham emphasized that rulers and authorities – both secular and ecclesiastical – are limited by the principle according to which they should always strive towards the preservation of the rights and freedoms of their subjects. The thesis also examines Ockham’s view on the doctrine of fullness of power (plenitude potestatis) – Ockham denies the legitimacy of the papal claim to absolute power and divests the pope of the right to regularly interfere in political matters and encroach on the realm of secular authority. The last chapter of the thesis is devoted to Ockham’s theory of natural rights.

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