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Samuel von PufendorFamous German international lawyer, historian, philosopher.
Date of Birth: 08.01.1632
Country:  Germany |
Content:
Biography of Samuel von Pufendorf
Samuel von Pufendorf was a renowned German jurist, international law expert, historian, and philosopher. He was born in Hemmnitz as the son of a preacher and studied in Leipzig, where he focused on the study of international law. Later, he furthered his education in Jena, where he also studied mathematics under Professor Weigel. Pufendorf's mathematical knowledge and his thorough study of Descartes' philosophy greatly influenced his own scientific method.
Early Career and Imprisonment
Pufendorf consciously avoided pursuing academic degrees and instead worked as a tutor to the son of a Swedish envoy in the Danish court. However, during this time, he and the entire envoy's family were captured and held captive for eight months. During this period, Pufendorf, without access to books, reconstructed in his memory the treatises he had read by Hugo Grotius and Thomas Hobbes, which led him to create a concise systematic exposition of the foundations of jurisprudence. This resulted in his work "Elementorum Jurisprudentiae Universalis Libri duo" (The Hague, 1660), where he derived the entire content of jurisprudence from a series of axioms and definitions. This work was dedicated to the Elector Palatine and led to Pufendorf being invited to hold the first chair of natural and international law in Germany.
Work in Sweden
In 1670, Pufendorf was invited by King Charles XI of Sweden to join the newly established university in Lund as a professor of international law. His reputation spread throughout Europe due to the success of his lectures and the publication of his works. A few years later, Pufendorf was invited to Stockholm by the Swedish king, who appointed him as his historiographer and advisor. It was during his time in Sweden that Pufendorf published most of his works, with "De Jure Naturae et Gentium" (Lund, 1672) being one of his most prominent works. This book was soon translated into French, German, and English after Pufendorf's death.
Later Years and Legacy
In 1688, Pufendorf relocated to Berlin, where he received the title of historiographer. Here, he wrote "De rebus gestis Frederici-Wilh e lmi Magni" (Berlin, 1695), a history of the Great Elector of Brandenburg, and a history of King Charles Gustavus of Sweden. Pufendorf was granted Swedish nobility in 1694. After his death, many of his works were published, including "Jus feciale divinum" (Lübeck, 1695), which provided interesting insights into disagreements among Protestants. Pufendorf's influence extended to Russia, where his works were translated by Bishop Gabriel (Buzhinsky) under the personal supervision of Peter the Great.
Pufendorf's main contribution was his distinction between natural law and theological scholasticism, elevating natural law to an independent science. According to his beliefs, law should conform only to the laws of reason, independent of religious dogmas and existing legislation. His theories on the relationship between church and state led to the creation of the theory of "collegialism." Montesquieu referred to Pufendorf as the "Tacitus of Germany." Pufendorf's ideas emphasized the need for law to align with the laws of reason, regardless of religious doctrines or existing legislation.
He argued that the formation of a state is based on two contracts: one between individuals for the purpose of uniting and selecting a form of government, and another between individuals and the chosen ruler, where subjects must obey the authority in exchange for protection and welfare. While the second contract preserves certain natural rights, such as freedom of religion and belief, it does not allow for resistance against authority.
With the establishment of a state, natural freedom is lost, and the state has the right to exercise violence over individuals in the name of the common good. Pufendorf's ideas and works had a significant influence on the development of international law and political philosophy.
