Razão prática e o bem humano básico do casamento: lei natural, bem comum e direito

Abstract

Analyzing current political and legal debates concerning family law, we find at its core a much controversial and rich dialogue regarding the concept and characteristics of marriage. A dialogue which has been much impacted by the New Natural Law Classical Theory’s arguments grounded in a reinterpretation of practical reason and marked, amidst other elements, by a rejection of the restrictive humenian conception of human reason. Nevertheless, this position is still scarcely known in Brazil with limited bibliographical material in Brazilian language. Baring this in mind, the goal of this work is to present the neoclassical doctrine on marriage as a basic human good contextualing it within the broader scope of practical reason, and applying some elements of political philosophy and jurisprudence. The research is all based on bibliographical material, specially the works of John Finnis, Germain Grisez and Robert George. Marriage, notwithstanding, has been particularly analyzed in Finnis’ thought. This dissertation is organized in three main axes, which are equivalent to each of the three chapters here presented: firstly, we present the New Natural Law’s metaethical and normative foundations, which, being the most fundamental basis of the arguments thereafter, is also the most dense chapter; secondly, we analyze the doctrine of marriage as a basic human good particularly in Finnis’ thought; finally, we discuss possible unfolding conclusions, problems and responsibilities to political community and legal reasoning.