Contexts of Conscience in Early Modern Europe, 1500-1700 - Tapa dura

In an era of confessional conflict, the conscience stood as a powerful mediator between God and man, directing and judging moral actions. The contributors to this volume depart from previous historical work on the subject by discussing in depth the practical application, as well as theoretical discussion of the conscience. Their contributions convey the breadth of the conscience's jurisdiction, analysing its impact on politics, religion, science, and understandings of gender and sexuality. This collection demonstrates how individuals resolved ethical problems in these areas through applying the methods of casuistry, the branch of theology devoted to resolving difficult moral cases. However, the collection also uncovers the ways in which casuistry itself was challenged by newer sources of moral guidance, such as the law. Together, the contributors to this volume raise fundamental questions about the accuracy of current historical understandings of the conscience and casuistry in the early modern period.

HARALD BRAUN is Lecturer in International History at the London School of Economics. His research interests are early modern Spanish intellectual and religious history as well as the history of European political thought. He is currently completing his research monograph 'Juan de Mariana SJ (1535-1621) and Early Modern Spanish Political Thought (Ashgate, forthcoming)'.

EDWARD VALLANCE taught at the universities of Sheffield and Manchester and is now Lecturer in Early Modern British History at the University of Liverpool. He has published articles in leading historical journals and is currently completing his research monograph, Revolutionary England and the National Covenant (Boydell and Brewer, forthcoming).