Center-periphery Networks Reconsidered: Hieronim Stroynowski's “Natural Law” (1785) and its Influence on Political Thought in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania

• In Event: History of Lithuanian Political Thought

Abstract

The paper delves into the Enlightenment era in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth during the end of 18th century, examining the geographical and intellectual dynamics of the Polish-Lithuanian Enlightenment, challenging traditional center-periphery frameworks. It argues for a nuanced understanding of multiple enlightenments, emphasizing the diverse manifestations and interactions between international, national, and local contexts. Localized regional centers, such as Vilnius, played a pivotal role in disseminating Enlightenment ideas despite their peripheral status compared to the West. The Catholic Enlightenment in the region sought a harmonious coexistence of faith and reason aligning modern Catholicism with Enlightenment ideals. The study delves into the role of Vilnius University in promoting the Catholic Enlightenment, emphasizing the influence of professor Hieronim Stroynowski. As one of the key representatives of Catholic Enlightenment, Stroynowski's teachings exemplify the integration of physiocratic views and Catholic principles. Stroynowski's contribution to the physiocratic school of thought is highlighted through his textbook on "Natural Law" (published in 1785) in which he elucidates moral order and justifiable reasons for individual actions. The paper emphasises the significance of the natural law tradition in shaping political thought and reforms in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth during this transformative period arguing that the Enlightenment in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was a complex interplay of religious and scientific elements, shaped by local contexts and influential figures like Stroynowski. It underscores the need for a multifaceted understanding of Enlightenment, considering the diverse intellectual outputs and their contributions to political thought and societal progress.

Short Bio

Dr. Vilius Mačkinis is an assistant professor at the Institute of International Relations and Political Science, Vilnius University. He has defended a doctoral dissertation titled „Traditions and Reforms: Enlightenment Influences on Lithuanian Political Thought” in 2019. His research interests encompass history of ideas and the notions of Eastern Europe. Vilius has been teaching a course on Lithuanian political thought, specialising in political ideas of XVIII century.

Author

• Vilius Mačkinis, Institute of International Relations and Political Science, Vilnius University