Grad - Idris

Abstract

This work-in-progress parses out the language and theory of peace in five of Erasmus' works, showing a concept of peace with a different foundation from the one found throughout contemporary political and academic writing. Against contemporary work that anachronistically depicts Erasmus as an early "pacifist," this paper presents his discussion of peace as a Christian political theological concept tied to the soul and Christian community. This point is made through a discussion of Machiavelli's and Erasmus' uses of the term "the arts of peace." Thus, instead of the seemingly pacifist and
egalitarian tendencies that have been read into his discussion, Erasmus' attempts to erase distinctions must be understood within the confines of his understanding of humanity and its boundaries, and in relation to his overall political project: to simultaneously re-theologicalize and politicize peace; and to thereby make the boundary between Christian and Muslim/Turk more salient than other distinctions within Europe. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of this discourse and how Erasmus fits in with more manifestations, particularly the production of enemies who are enemies of peace itself.