“Law is nothing other than a certain ordinance of reason for the common good, promulgated by the person who has the care of the community.”
- 1225 – March 7, 1274
- Born in the Kingdom of Sicily (Italy)
- Theologian, philosopher
- A representative figure of scholasticism, who systematized the relationship between the doctrines of the Catholic Church and reason through his masterpiece, the Summa Theologica
Quote
“Law is nothing other than a certain ordinance of reason for the common good, promulgated by the person who has the care of the community.”
Explanation
Thomas Aquinas, in this quote, defines law as a rational framework established for the common good and implemented by those in authority. Aquinas believed that laws must serve the interests of the entire community, not just those of a few individuals. By describing law as an ordinance of reason, he emphasized that true laws must be rational, just, and aimed at creating harmony and welfare for everyone. The legitimacy of law, therefore, rests on its ability to serve the common good and be issued by a rightful authority.
Aquinas lived in an era when the structure of governance was largely influenced by monarchies and the Church. He developed his thoughts on law within a broader ethical framework that combined both natural law and divine law. According to Aquinas, laws should reflect a higher moral order, where reason guided by ethical principles ensures that people live virtuous lives. For him, unjust laws that do not align with reason or do not promote the well-being of the community could not be considered true laws in the moral sense.
In modern society, this perspective remains highly applicable in the rule of law and the governance of democratic societies. Laws today are expected to be rational and aimed at ensuring justice and equality. Aquinas’s insights remind us that laws must be evaluated not just by their ability to enforce order but by their ethical implications and whether they genuinely serve the common good. For instance, policies that promote public health, education, or social welfare can be seen as aligning with Aquinas’s notion of law, as they are designed to improve the well-being of all members of the community, reflecting both rational planning and ethical intent.
