O significado religioso da democracia em Jacques Maritain

Abstract

This work focuses on the religious meaning of democracy in Jacques Maritain. The problem addressed in this research lies in the fact that, in modernity, the representation of the real as well as the moral order are no longer found in divine providence, but are instead grounded in the subject itself, according to its own laws and following an autonomous dynamism in relation to other spheres of society. In the modern world, the earthly city is under the reign of man.

Thus, knowing that modern democracy was born in a context of separation between temporal and spiritual power—that is, in the secularization of the State—the guiding question that arises in this work is formulated as follows: to what extent can democracy, in its modern sense, be grounded on a religious basis?

The methodology used in this work is hermeneutics. In this way, the works of this author and his interpreters were analyzed and interpreted.

The general objective of the work is to reflect on the religious meaning of democracy in Jacques Maritain. The specific objectives are the following: to address the life, work, and influences of Jacques Maritain; to discuss the rupture between morality and politics in the modern era; to analyze the difference between the human individual and the human person; and to discuss organic democracy.

The reason that motivates us to undertake this research under the above-mentioned title is academic in nature—that is, the need to contribute to the debate on pressing issues of democracy today and to stimulate discussion on the question of grounding democracy on evangelical principles, according to Maritain’s thought.

The work concluded that, according to him, religion and politics must be closely linked within an organic democracy. Such a democracy must be personalist, communitarian, pluralist, and possess an evangelical essence. (tradução nossa)