The Things That Are Not Caesar's. This item is unavailable.The Things That Are Not Caesar's

"The Things That Are Not Caesar's" is a profound exploration of the delicate and often contentious relationship between religious authority and political power. In this significant work of political theology, Jacques Maritain asserts the essential primacy of the spiritual realm over the temporal order. Drawing deeply upon Thomistic philosophy, Maritain argues that while the state possesses its own legitimate sphere of influence, it must ultimately recognize the higher moral and spiritual truths that transcend secular governance.

The text examines the nature of sovereignty, the rights of the individual conscience, and the responsibilities of the Christian citizen within a modern society. It serves as a critical defense of spiritual independence against the encroachments of nationalism and the overreach of the state. By clarifying the distinctions between the duties owed to God and those owed to Caesar, Maritain provides a rigorous intellectual framework for understanding the role of faith in the public square. This work remains a cornerstone of twentieth-century Catholic thought, offering timeless insights into the ethical foundations of governance and the enduring necessity of spiritual liberty.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.