Pedagogía de las leyes en Tomás de Aquino y Juan Calvino

This paper intends to consider the problem of the pedagogical character of the law in the political community through a comparison of the perspectives of Thomas Aquinas and John Calvin. Our concern will be focused on the political scope of legislation that molds the behavior of citizens in a positive way towards virtue, beyond the mere containment of the evil of human beings. Both authors have conceptions of natural law, divine law and human law, in which, although they do not always coincide, there is a good degree of agreement. In the case of outstanding figures of traditions still alive, it is of crucial importance to understand their convergences in this matter. In order to undertake the proposed task, the political-legal theory of Thomas Aquinas related to both the origin and purposes of the political community, as well as the possibilities of law regarding the virtue of citizens, will first be analyzed. Then the ideas of John Calvin will be analyzed regarding the justification and role of civil authority, the uses of the moral law and the application of the natural law in positive law. Finally, it will conclude with some reflections regarding the way in which the coincidences between both authors allow to illuminate the contemporary panorama regarding to legislate virtue.