In 18th century France, the most-read book after the Bible was a work on political philosophy written by the Roman Catholic archbishop François Fénelon. Unfortunately, Fénelon’s writings on economics, politics, and theology have largely been forgotten, as only a fraction of his work has been translated into English. Fénelon was an important voice in France; during the Enlightenment, he fought for the reform of France’s political and economic institutions. His works are a critical resource for those interested in economics, philosophy, and religion. Ryan Patrick Hanley, professor at Boston College and the author of the new book The Political Philosophy of Fénelon, joins the show to share why he believes Fénelon’s work is important for us today.
Buy “Fénelon: Moral and Political Writings,” translated by Ryan Patrick Hanley
Buy “The Political Philosophy of Fénelon,” by Ryan Patrick Hanley
Read “Living Well with Adam Smith,” by Jordan Ballor
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