Church, State, and Hierarchy

A generation ago, Walter Ullmann in a series of syntheses argued that a descending order of sovereignty with the pope at the apex asserted itself successfully in the Middle Ages until the rediscovery of Aristotle and feudal facts on the ground replaced it with an ascending order in which power stemmed from the people. Ullmann aside, many scholars take it from granted that the two main alternatives so far as church and state are concerned are (1) that ultimate sovereignty ought to be vested in one or the other or (2) that they each should have separate domains, sacred and secular respectively, with a fairly clear border between them. The idea of hierarchy developed by the anthropologist Louis Dumont gives a third alternative that can elucidate papal relations with states from late Antiquity on.

The lecture will be followed by a drinks reception.

Don't forget to book your place!