Regnum and Sacerdotium in John of Paris' De Regia Potestate et Papali

Abstract

The importance and significance of a thinker, particularly in political science, can be measured by the way he receives and answers the pressing questions of his time. Is this the case of John Quidort of Paris (Paris, circa 1270 - †Bordeaux, 22.09.1306). Although not considered one of the most significant authors of his era (as is Thomas Aquinas, a little earlier, or John Duns Scotus and William of Ockham, a little later) John Quidort of Paris still deserves, because of his work De Regia Potestate et Papali2 (end of 1302-beginning of 1303), a top place in any History of western Political Thought since «this unpretentious Dominican innovated more in political theory than could be imagined, and much of the honor given to Marsilius of Padua is due first to him.»