Hugo Grotius and the Modern Theology of Freedom: Transcending Natural Rights (Routledge Innovations in Political Theory)

Book Details

• Publisher: Routledge

• Author: Jeremy Seth Geddert

• Language: English

• ISBN: 9781138695948

• Binding: Hardcover

• Edition: 1st Edition

• Release Date: 23-02-2017

• Package Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches

• Pages: 250

• Part Number: 3 Tables, black and white

About the Book

"Hugo Grotius and the Dual Nature of Rights" by Jeremy Seth Geddert challenges traditional understandings of human rights and their connection to individual responsibility. While human rights are often seen as safeguarding pluralism by protecting personal liberties from religious imposition, critics argue that a purely secular focus can foster unchecked individualism, neglecting the common good.

Geddert explores the rarely examined theological writings of Hugo Grotius, a pioneering secular theorist of rights, and uncovers a more nuanced understanding of rights that ties them to moral and communal responsibility. The book reveals how Grotius’ dual metaethics—founded on deontological natural law and teleological practical reason—enriches his secular theory of rights, allowing it to be self-aware of its limitations and promoting the responsible exercise of rights within the political order.

The book offers a re-examination of Grotius' legacy, not as a secular opponent of classical political thought, but as a figure whose theories of rights and responsibilities align with modern liberalism and universal human rights, while remaining open to religious resurgence. Geddert highlights how Grotius’ theory can be applied to several key areas: consent theories of government, rights of rebellion, criminal punishment, war and international responsibility, and Atonement theology.

Key Features:

• Reassessment of Grotius’ Legacy: Unveils Grotius' overlooked theological corpus and its impact on his secular theory of rights.

• Rights and Responsibilities Symbiosis: Explores how rights are interconnected with responsibilities to maintain a stable political order.

• Real-World Applications: Illustrates the relevance of Grotius' ideas in areas such as government consent, rebellion, criminal justice, war, and theology.

• Compatibility with Modern Liberalism: Demonstrates how Grotius’ theory aligns with contemporary human rights, while acknowledging the role of religion in shaping moral and political life.

This thought-provoking book is a vital read for students and scholars of philosophy, political theory, human rights, and theology. It offers a fresh perspective on how secular and religious ideas can coexist in the modern understanding of rights and responsibilities.