Marsilius of Padua

This is an incredibly acerbic 14th century thesis against the papacy's pretension of world dominion. Copies of this book must have been carefully hidden by generations of diligent dissidents to keep them from the flames. In addition to the author's bold stance against the papacy, this book is also noteworthy for its nearly democratic suggestions for good governance. Unfortunately the author's own reason was very much a product of its time. He accepts Biblical texts as the ultimate truth and builds his arguments accordingly, in great detail. I don't think many modern readers will be interested in reading the whole book unless they share that premise. One can only imagine what such a critical and sharp mind would have achieved a few centuries later.… (mer)