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This Book Revisits The Legacy Of Leonardus Lessius (1554-1623), A Pivotal Figure In The Early Development Of Economic Thought. Lessiu, Was Considered A Father Of Modern Economic Analysis By None Other Than Joseph Schumpeter. He Made Significant Contributions To The Normative Foundations Of Modern Economics, Offering Ethical And Juridical Frameworks For Dealing With Issues Like Speculation, Interest-taking, Monopolies, Banking, And Insurance Markets. In The Process, He Observed The Empirical Functioning Of Markets And Analyzed The Logic Behind Economic And Financial Transactions. Set Against The Backdrop Of Global Trade, Religious Upheaval, And The Rise Of Capitalism In The Sixteenth And Early Seventeenth Centuries, His Seminal Work On Justice And Law Combines Legal, Theological, And Economic Reasoning, Providing Practical Solutions To Moral Dilemmas Faced By Merchants And Financiers. Though Lessius Condemned Excessive Greed, He Supported The Pursuit Of Economic Activity Through Hard Work, Cleverness And Fair Dealing. His Ideas Helped Lay The Groundwork For The Ethical Justification Of Modern Commerce And Finance, Offering An Important Link Between Spiritual Salvation And The Legitimation Of Material Prosperity On The Basis Of Merit
This book investigates the foundational role of Leonardus Lessius in the development of modern economic thought by examining his integration of legal, theological, and ethical frameworks. Wim Decock, a scholar of legal history and economic thought, analyzes how Lessius navigated the complexities of sixteenth and seventeenth-century commerce. The text argues that Lessius provided a critical bridge between spiritual morality and the practical requirements of emerging capitalist markets, effectively legitimizing material prosperity through the lens of merit and fair dealing.
What You Will Find
Scholars recognize this work as a significant contribution to the history of economic thought, particularly for its focus on the intellectual lineage between late scholasticism and modern market theory. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose and the author's meticulous use of primary source materials to contextualize Lessius's influence.
Page Count:
224
Publication Date:
2025-10-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0197827314
ISBN-13:
9780197827314
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