The Pufendorf Lectures : Annotations from the teaching of Samuel Pufendorf 1672–1674

This is an edition of two manuscripts with notes taken during Samuel Pufendorf's teaching at the University of Lund in the early 1670s. The shorter manuscript consists of annotations from lectures on De jure naturae et gentium, the lengthier renders notes taken during lectures on De officio hominis et civis. The texts show Pufendorf's doctrine at the pedagogic level, as it was presented to students immediately after his books were published. The effect of that is that natural law is imbedded in religion; Biblical references are numerous compared to in the printed books. Still, many comments reflect Pufendorf's conflict with local adversaries in Lund and with Lutheran theologians in Germany. The main message, however, is that natural law, i.e. Pufendorf, should replace Aristotle as foundation for the teaching of moral philosophy.