Il concetto di esule nella filosofia politica di Christian Wolff

The concept of exile in Christian Wolff's political philosophy

Abstract

In this essay the concept of exile is analyzed in the light of the Wolffian doctrine of the natural duties of man. In this context, the first natural duty, namely the obliga­tion to perfect oneself and one’s own state, determines the jus alicubi terrarum habi­tandi. This right guarantees to every man, therefore also to the exile, the usus necessarius of a territory, as a means for the fulfilment of the natural obligation. In Wolff’s perspective, this right, guaranteed by the duty of mercy, can be denied only if its exercise is an obstacle to the duty of self-perfection of the gens, which would host the exile. As a matter of fact, in case of collision between duties, it must be ful­filled the officium erga seipsum, namely the obligation of self-perfection, which thus prevail over the duty of mercy erga alios.