The ethics of Catholicism and the consecration of the intellectual
By: André J. Bélanger.
Publisher: McGill-Queen's University Press; Mcgill Queens Univ Pr
Published: 1997
Place of publication: Montreal; Buffalo
Language: eng
Number of pages: 242
Subjects: Intellectuals -- History.; Intellectual life -- History.; Christian ethics -- History.; Religion and culture -- History.; Religion and ethics -- History.; Catholics -- France -- Attitudes.; Intellectuals -- France -- History.; Intellectuels -- Histoire.; Vie intellectuelle -- Histoire.; Morale chrétienne -- Histoire.; Religion et culture -- Histoire.; Religion et morale -- Histoire.
Description: "Using France as the most representative case of a Catholic context, Andre J. Belanger argues that as French society became more secularized intellectuals replaced the clergy as arbitrators of justice and enlightenment. Catholic morality was consolidated by the scholastic tradition and confirmed by the Counter-Reformation, providing the foundation that allowed the establishment of a lay elite.

Belanger describes the progressive takeover of positions of influence by the new elite in Catholic society and examines arguments used by thinkers from the seventeenth to the twentieth century to legitimize their positions.

In contrast, the Anglo-Saxon Protestant tradition, due to its emphasis on the priesthood of all believers, led to recognition of the individual's conscience as the sole judge of her or his deeds and failed to provide intellectuals with the basis for any claim to serve as moral leaders in political affairs."--BOOK JACKET. "Encompassing a variety of disciplines, this study will be of interest to students of political science, sociology, philosophy, and history."--BOOK JACKET.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [203]-236) and index.