The Political Philosophy of Fénelon

Description

Fénelon was a nuanced and influential diagnostician of the ills of European society, one who carefully analysed phenomena as wide-ranging and complex as egocentrism, authoritarianism, and imperialism. Despite his influence there has been to date no interpretive monograph in English devoted specifically to his thought. Ryan Patrick Hanley aims to correct this oversight, providing the first book-length interpretative study of Fénelon's writings to appear in English. A companion volume to Hanley's comprehensive English translation of Fénelon's moral and political writings, this book focuses on Fénelon's political thought as a method of understanding his impact on areas ranging from economics and statecraft to religion and literature. Hanley begins by reconstructing Fénelon's political ideas for those who may be encountering his work directly or at length for the first time. He then articulates the connections between Fénelon's political thought and several other fields to which he made significant and long-recognized contributions, including not only philosophy and political science, but also economics, education, literature, theology, and spirituality. Building from this foundation, Hanley constructs a new understanding and appreciation of Fénelon's political thought and its significance. He argues that Fénelon is better understood as a moderate and modern thinker rather than as a radical or reactionary, and that Fénelon deserves to be seen not merely as a political thinker but as a political philosopher, one whose work has direct relevance to our political world today. Cover The Political Philosophy of Fénelon Copyright Dedication Contents Acknowledgments Texts and Abbreviations Introduction Fénelon Forgotten, and Found Fénelon: Life and Writings Contributions of This Study 1. Prudence, or On Education The Ends and Means of Education Rhetoric, Eloquence, and Education The Education of Girls The Education of Princes Conclusion: Education and Moderation 2. Moderation, or On Economics Rethinking Fénelon’s Economics: Austerity, Luxury, and Moderation The Golden Age: Bétique From the Ideal to the Real: Egypt, Crete, Tyre The Challenge of Reform: Salente Reforming France Conclusion: True Riches and Moderation 3. Courage, or On War Fénelon’s Second Face: Militarism, Pacifism, and True Courage The Tragedy of War: Foreign Glory and Domestic Suffering The Origin of War: False Glory and True Courage True Courage in Action: The Theory and Practice of Just War Keeping the Peace: International Institutions and the Law of Peoples Conclusion: Militarism and Pacifism 4. Justice, or On Statesmanship Moral Virtue and Political Rule Managing False Pleasures, Discovering True Pleasures Self-​Mastery and Management of Ministers The King and His People: Loving and Being Loved Just Rule and Real Politics Conclusion: Kings and Peoples 5. Faith, or On Religion Politics and Religion: From Summum Bonum to Summum Malum Politics without Religion Politics with Religion Politics and the Institutions of Religion Conclusion: The Political Utility of Religion 6. Hope, or On Theology Fénelon and the Theologico-​Political Dynamic Hope in Telemachus: Politics and Revelation The Theology of Hope: Love, Self-​Interest, and Prayer Beyond Hope: The Political Significance of the Theology Conclusion 7. Love, or On the Best Life Pure Love and Political Philosophy The Meaning of Pure Love The Life of Pure Love Fénelon’s Life and Pure Love Conclusion: Perfection and Pure Love Epilogue Notes Index