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Nothing But the Truth? Hermeneutics and Morality in the Doctrines of Equivocation and Mental Reservation in Early Modern Europe*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2018

Stefania Tutino
Stefania Tutino*
Affiliation:
University of California, Santa Barbara
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Abstract

This article examines certain aspects of the history of the doctrines of equivocation and mental reservation in early modern Catholic elaborations. It argues that the first Catholic theologians who engaged systematically with these doctrines, Domingo de Soto and Martin de Azpilcueta (Navarrus), used them as tools to investigate the potentialities and limitations of human language as a means to communicate meaning between a speaker and a listener. This article also shows that between the end of the sixteenth and the beginning of the seventeenth centuries Catholic theologians, both Jesuit and non-Jesuit, changed the debate over these doctrines into a debate over the moral quality of the speaker's intention. By analyzing the developments of the Catholic debate over equivocation and mental reservation, this article seeks to offer a fresh interpretation of the links between theology, morality, and hermeneutics.

Type
Research Article
Information
Renaissance Quarterly , Volume 64 , Issue 1 , Spring 2011 , pp. 115 - 155
Copyright
Copyright © 2011 Renaissance Society of America

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Footnotes

*

The author would like to thank the anonymous readers of this journal for their comments. All the translations, unless otherwise noted, are the author's.

References

Bibliography

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Pastore, Stefania.“A proposito di Matteo 18,15. Correctio fraterna e Inquisitione nella Spagna del Cinquecento.” Rivista Storica Italiana 113 (2001):323–68.Google Scholar
Pastore, Stefania.Il Vangelo e la Spada. L'inquisizione di Castiglia e i suoi critici.Rome,2003.Google Scholar
[Persons, Robert.] A treatise tending to mitigation. [s.l.], 1607.Google Scholar
Pettegree, Andrew. “Nicodemism and the English Reformation.” InMarian Protestantism: Six Studies,86–117.Aldershot,1996.Google Scholar
Prosperi, Adriano. Tribunali della coscienza.Turin,1996.Google Scholar
Questier, Michael C. Conversion, Politics and Religion in England,1580–1625.Cambridge,1996.Google Scholar
Raynaud, Théophile. Splendor veritatis.Lyon,1627.Google Scholar
Raynaud, Théophile. Splendor veritatis. InLeonardus Lessius, De iustitia et iure .Lyon,1653.Google Scholar
Rose, Elliot. Cases of Conscience: Alternatives Open to Recusants and Puritans under Elizabeth I and James I.Cambridge,1975.Google Scholar
Searle, John R. Speech Acts: An Essay in the Philosophy of Language.Cambridge,1969.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Searle, John R. Expression and Meaning: Studies in the Theory of Speech Acts.Cambridge,1979.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Snyder, Jon R. Dissimulation and the Culture of Secrecy in Early Modern Europe.Berkeley,2009.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sommerville, Johann P. “The ‘New Art of Lying’: Equivocation, Mental Reservation, and Casuistry.” InConscience and Casuistry in Early Modern Europe, ed., Leites, Edmund, 159–84.Cambridge,2002.Google Scholar
Soto, Domingo de. De ratione tegendi et detegendi secretum.Salamanca,1541.Google Scholar
Soto, Domingo de. De iustitia et iure.Lyon,1569.Google Scholar
Stella, Pietro. Il Giansenismo in Italia.3 vols.Rome,2006.Google Scholar
Tejero, Eloy. “El Doctor Navarro en la historia de la doctrina canónica y moral.” InEstudios sobre el Doctor Navarro en el IV centenario de la muere de Martin de Azpilcueta, ed.Tejero et al.,125–80.Pamplona,1988.Google Scholar
Tellechea Idígoras, José Ignacio. El Arzobispo Carranza y su tiempo.Madrid,1968.Google Scholar
Tellechea Idígoras, José Ignacio. El Arzobispo Carranza: ”tiempos recios.” 2 vols.Salamanca,2004.Google Scholar
Tutino, Stefania. “Between Nicodemism and ‘Honest’ Dissimulation: The Society of Jesus in England.” Historical Research 79.206 (2006):534–53.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Van Eijl, Edmond J. M. “La controverse louvaniste autour de la grace et du libre arbitre à la fin du XVIe siècle.” InL'Augustinisme à l'ancienne faculté de théologie de Louvain, ed., Lamberigts, Mathijs and, Kenis, Leo, 208–82.Louvain,1984.Google Scholar
van Sull, Charles. Leonard Lessius,1554–1623.Paris,1930.Google Scholar
Wabuda, Susan. “Equivocation and Recantation during the English Reformation: The ‘Subtle Shadow’ of Dr. Edward Crome.” The Journal of Ecclesiastical History 44 (1993):224–42.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Walsham, Alexandra. Church Papists: Catholicism, Conformity and Confessional Polemic in Early Modern England.Woodbridge,1993.Google Scholar
Walsham, Alexandra. “‘Yielding to the Extremity of the Time’: Conformity, Orthodoxy and the Post-Reformation Catholic Community.” InConformity and Orthodoxy in the English Church, c. 1560–1660, ed., Lake, Peter and, Questier, Michael, 211–36.Woodbridge,2000.Google Scholar
Walsham, Alexandra. “Ordeals of Conscience: Casuistry, Conformity and Confessional Identity in Post-Reformation England.” InContexts of Conscience in Early Modern Europe, ed., Braun, Harald E and, Vallance, Edward, 32–48.Houndmills,2004.Google Scholar
Ludwig, Wittgenstein. Philosophical Investigations. Trans., Anscombe, G. E. M. Upper Saddle River,1958.Google Scholar
Zagorin, Perez. Ways of Lying: Dissimulation, Persecution and Conformity in Early Modern Europe.Cambridge, MA,1990.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Archivio della Congregazione per la Dottrina della Fede, Rome: Index, Diarii III; Index, Protocolli II; Protocolli KK; Index, Protocolli RR; S.O. Decreta 1679.Google Scholar
Archivum Romanum Societatis Iesu, Rome: Instit.186e; Fondo Gesuitico 669.Google Scholar
Abbot, George.Quaestiones sex.Oxford,1598.Google Scholar
Andreu, Francesco.Pellegrino alle sorgenti. San Giuseppe Maria Tomasi.Rome,1987.Google Scholar
Thomas, Aquinas. Summa Theologiae . In , , Aquinas,Opera Omnia,vols. 4–12.Rome,1882–1971 (Editio Leonina).Google Scholar
Astrain, Antonio. Historia de la Compañia de Jesús en la asistencia de España. 7 vols. Madrid, 1912–25.Google Scholar
Austin, John L.How To Do Things with Words.Cambridge, MA,1975.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bañez, Domingo.Decisiones de iure & iustitia.Venice,1595.Google Scholar
Barnes, John.Dissertatio contra aequivocatores.Paris,1625.Google Scholar
Bellini, Piero. “Denunciatio evangelica” e “Denunciatio iudicialis.” Un capitolo di storia disciplinare della Chiesa.Milan,1986.Google Scholar
Bok, Sissela.Lying: Moral Choice in Public and Private Life.New York,1978.Google Scholar
Brinton, Alan.“St. Augustine and the Problem of Deception in Religious Persuasion.” Religious Studies 19 (1983):437–50.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cavaillé, Jean-Pierre.“L'art des équivoques: hérésie, inquisition et casuistique. Questions sur la trasmission d'une doctrine médiévale à l’époque moderne.” Médiévales 43 (2002a):119–46.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cavaillé, Jean-Pierre.Dis/simulations. Jules-César Vanini, François La Mothe Le Vayer, Gabriel Naudé, Louis Machon et Torquato Accetto. Religion, morale et politique au XVIIe siècle.Paris,2002b.Google Scholar
Dedieu, Jean-Pierre.L'administration de la foi. L'Inquisition en Tolède XVIe–XVIIIe siècle.Madrid,1989.Google Scholar
Denzinger Heinrich Joseph Dominicus.Enchiridion Symbolorum.Rome,1963.Google Scholar
Devlin, Christopher.The Life of Robert Southwell, Poet and Martyr.London,1956.Google Scholar
Feehan, Thomas D.“Augustine on Lying and Deception.” Augustinian Studies 19 (1988):131–39.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fernández-Armesto, Felipe.Truth: A History and a Guide for the Perplexed.London,2001.Google Scholar
Hans-Georg, Gadamer.Truth and Method.Trans. , Weinsheimer, Joel and , Marshall, Donal.London,2006.Google Scholar
Gallagher, Lowell.Medusa's Gaze: Casuistry and Conscience in Early Modern Europe.Stanford,1991.Google Scholar
Garnet, Henry.A treatise of equivocation. Ed. , Jardine, David.London,1851.Google Scholar
Ginzburg, Carlo.Il Nicodemismo: simulazione e dissimulazione religiosa nell'Europa del ‘500.Turin,1970.Google Scholar
Ginzburg, Carlo.Il filo e le tracce. Vero falso finto.Milan,2006.Google Scholar
Gregory of Valencia. Commentariorum Theologicorum. 4 vols. Ingolstadt, 1591–97.Google Scholar
Griffiths, Paul J.Lying: An Augustinian Theology of Duplicity.Grand Rapids, MI,2004.Google Scholar
Haliczer, Stephen.Sexuality in the Confessional: A Sacrament Profaned.Cambridge,1996.Google Scholar
Holmes, Peter, ed.Elizabethan Casuistry.London,1981.Google Scholar
Holmes, Peter.Resistance and Compromise: The Political Thought of the Elizabethan Catholics.Cambridge,1982.Google Scholar
Höpfl, Harro.Jesuit Political Thought: The Society of Jesus and the State, c.1540–1630.Cambridge,2004.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jacquette, Dale.“Wittgenstein on Lying as a Language-Game.” InThe Third Wittgenstein: The Post-‘Investigations’ Works, ed. , Moyal-Sharrock, Danièle,159–76.Aldershot,2004.Google Scholar
Jonsen, Albert R., and , Stephen, Toulmin.The Abuse of Casuistry: A History of Moral Reasoning.Berkeley,1988.Google Scholar
Lavenia, Vincenzo.L'infamia e il perdono. Tributi, pene e confessione nella teologia morale della prima età moderna.Bologna,2004.Google Scholar
Lessius, Leonardus.De iustitia et iure.Paris,1606.Google Scholar
Lessius, Leonardus.De iustitia et iure.Lyon,1653.Google Scholar
Lyotard, Jean-François.“Wittgenstein ‘After’.” InPolitical Writings, trans. , Readings, Bill and , Geiman, Kevin P,19–22.Minneapolis,1983.Google Scholar
Lyotard, Jean-François.The Postmodern Condition: A Report on Knowledge.Trans. Geoff Bennington and Brian Massumi.Minneapolis,1984.Google Scholar
Malloch, A. E.“Father Henry Garnet's Treatise of Equivocation.“ Recusant History 15 (1981):387–95.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Morton, Thomas.A full satisfaction concerning a double Romish iniquitie.London,1606.Google Scholar
Navarrus [Martin de Azpilcueta]. Commentarius in cap. Humanae Aures. In Commentaria, 1:218v–224r. Venice, 1588.Google Scholar
Pascal, Blaise.Lettre escrite à un provincial par un de ses amis.Paris,1657.Google Scholar
Pascal, Blaise.Litterae Provinciales.Cologne,1658.Google Scholar
Pastore, Stefania.“A proposito di Matteo 18,15. Correctio fraterna e Inquisitione nella Spagna del Cinquecento.” Rivista Storica Italiana 113 (2001):323–68.Google Scholar
Pastore, Stefania.Il Vangelo e la Spada. L'inquisizione di Castiglia e i suoi critici.Rome,2003.Google Scholar
[Persons, Robert.] A treatise tending to mitigation. [s.l.], 1607.Google Scholar
Pettegree, Andrew. “Nicodemism and the English Reformation.” InMarian Protestantism: Six Studies,86–117.Aldershot,1996.Google Scholar
Prosperi, Adriano. Tribunali della coscienza.Turin,1996.Google Scholar
Questier, Michael C. Conversion, Politics and Religion in England,1580–1625.Cambridge,1996.Google Scholar
Raynaud, Théophile. Splendor veritatis.Lyon,1627.Google Scholar
Raynaud, Théophile. Splendor veritatis. InLeonardus Lessius, De iustitia et iure .Lyon,1653.Google Scholar
Rose, Elliot. Cases of Conscience: Alternatives Open to Recusants and Puritans under Elizabeth I and James I.Cambridge,1975.Google Scholar
Searle, John R. Speech Acts: An Essay in the Philosophy of Language.Cambridge,1969.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Searle, John R. Expression and Meaning: Studies in the Theory of Speech Acts.Cambridge,1979.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Snyder, Jon R. Dissimulation and the Culture of Secrecy in Early Modern Europe.Berkeley,2009.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sommerville, Johann P. “The ‘New Art of Lying’: Equivocation, Mental Reservation, and Casuistry.” InConscience and Casuistry in Early Modern Europe, ed., Leites, Edmund, 159–84.Cambridge,2002.Google Scholar
Soto, Domingo de. De ratione tegendi et detegendi secretum.Salamanca,1541.Google Scholar
Soto, Domingo de. De iustitia et iure.Lyon,1569.Google Scholar
Stella, Pietro. Il Giansenismo in Italia.3 vols.Rome,2006.Google Scholar
Tejero, Eloy. “El Doctor Navarro en la historia de la doctrina canónica y moral.” InEstudios sobre el Doctor Navarro en el IV centenario de la muere de Martin de Azpilcueta, ed.Tejero et al.,125–80.Pamplona,1988.Google Scholar
Tellechea Idígoras, José Ignacio. El Arzobispo Carranza y su tiempo.Madrid,1968.Google Scholar
Tellechea Idígoras, José Ignacio. El Arzobispo Carranza: ”tiempos recios.” 2 vols.Salamanca,2004.Google Scholar
Tutino, Stefania. “Between Nicodemism and ‘Honest’ Dissimulation: The Society of Jesus in England.” Historical Research 79.206 (2006):534–53.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Van Eijl, Edmond J. M. “La controverse louvaniste autour de la grace et du libre arbitre à la fin du XVIe siècle.” InL'Augustinisme à l'ancienne faculté de théologie de Louvain, ed., Lamberigts, Mathijs and, Kenis, Leo, 208–82.Louvain,1984.Google Scholar
van Sull, Charles. Leonard Lessius,1554–1623.Paris,1930.Google Scholar
Wabuda, Susan. “Equivocation and Recantation during the English Reformation: The ‘Subtle Shadow’ of Dr. Edward Crome.” The Journal of Ecclesiastical History 44 (1993):224–42.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Walsham, Alexandra. Church Papists: Catholicism, Conformity and Confessional Polemic in Early Modern England.Woodbridge,1993.Google Scholar
Walsham, Alexandra. “‘Yielding to the Extremity of the Time’: Conformity, Orthodoxy and the Post-Reformation Catholic Community.” InConformity and Orthodoxy in the English Church, c. 1560–1660, ed., Lake, Peter and, Questier, Michael, 211–36.Woodbridge,2000.Google Scholar
Walsham, Alexandra. “Ordeals of Conscience: Casuistry, Conformity and Confessional Identity in Post-Reformation England.” InContexts of Conscience in Early Modern Europe, ed., Braun, Harald E and, Vallance, Edward, 32–48.Houndmills,2004.Google Scholar
Ludwig, Wittgenstein. Philosophical Investigations. Trans., Anscombe, G. E. M. Upper Saddle River,1958.Google Scholar
Zagorin, Perez. Ways of Lying: Dissimulation, Persecution and Conformity in Early Modern Europe.Cambridge, MA,1990.CrossRefGoogle Scholar