Moral Theology: Its Method and Masters
Gabriel Daniel
Drawn from the authors' own words; every quotation links to its place.
S.J. · Jesuit · 1649–1728
On this site: Apology for the Doctrine of the Jesuits
In the Index: Daniel, Gabriel
His Moral System
Defends the Jesuits' doctrine of probable opinions
- “it was never the sentiment of their Society that one may follow the less probable opinion when it is not truly probable” — Daniel, Sentiments of the Fathers of the Society of Jesus on the Doctrine of Probability
What Our Authors Say of Him
- “his published correspondence with Natalis Alexander respecting the Dominican and Jesuit doctrines of Probabilism” — Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), Gabriel Daniel
His Moral System, as Our Authors Report It
Every report quoted in the author's own words and linked to its place; point at a name to see his words. Haringer's signs give St. Alphonsus's judgment as Haringer found it in St. Alphonsus's works (his notice, Gury-Ballerini, 1884, p. XI); a sign on a writer the 1884 editor added to the list is the editor's own, and is said to be his.
| Probabilist | |
|---|---|
| Counted among them by one of our authors | Tanquerey, Fundamental Moral Theology, n. 396 |
Where Our Authors Discuss Him
Each read in its full passage; the words quoted are the author's own. Where several authors say the same thing, one is quoted and the others follow “in nearly the same words”; point at a name to see his words.
| “Hist., p. 35. b) Among theologians who opposed probabiliorism, very many teach that, in a conflict of opinions, the certainly or notably more probable one is to be followed. … The same teach Ferdinand Rebellus, S.J.; Antonius Perez, O.S.B.; Martinus a Prado, O.P.; Franciscus de Arauxo, O.P.; Antonius Cotonius, O.M.; Passerini de Sextula, O.P.; Esparza, S.J.; Terillus, S.J.; Gabriel Daniel, S.J.; Christ. Rassler, S.J.; Benedict Schmier, O.S.B.; Ant. Mayr, S.J.; Eusebius Amort; Jos. Biner, S.J.; and several others.”Marc names him among those who, against the probabiliorists, teach that the certainly or notably more probable opinion must be followed | Marc, Institutiones I, n. 100 |
| “Fr. Étienne de Camps published a book entitled Quaestio Facti, in which he frees the Society from the note of defending Probabilism as its own. The same was done by Fabri, Daniel, Moya, Gonzalez, Camargo.”Concina: he denied that probabilism is the Society’s own doctrine | Concina, Compendium II, diss. II, ch. IX, n. X |
| “as Fr. Gabriel Daniel writes in the appendix to his dissertation on mental restriction”Concina: he too wrote that the propositions are condemned as they lie, not as they stand in their authors | Concina, Theologia V, diss. III, ch. XIV, n. XIV |
In the Catholic Encyclopedia (1913)
“Gabriel Daniel”, vol. 4, by John Francis Xavier Murphy. Public domain; transcription from Wikisource.
Historian and controversialist, born at Rouen, France, 8 Feb., 1649; died at Paris, 23 June, 1728. He entered the Society of Jesus at Paris in 1667, and after making his last vows at Rennes, 1683, was assigned to the professed house of Paris where his extraordinary talents resulted in his being appointed historiographer of France by Louis XIV. Of the published writings of Father Daniel, consisting of philosophical, theological, and historical treatises, many have been translated into German, English, Spanish, Italian, and Latin. In the first class perhaps the most famous was the oft-reprinted "Voyage du mondede Descartes", a refutation of the vortex theory of that philosopher. His refutation of Pascal's "Provincial Letters", which underwent several revisions and reprints, and his published correspondence with Natalis Alexander respecting the Dominican and Jesuit doctrines of Probabilism, Grace, Predestination, etc., stand out conspicuously among his theological works. He published also many shorter works, principally against the Jansenists, and one volume of a projected course of theology for seminaries.
But it is as the author of the celebrated "Histoirede France" that Father Daniel has achieved his most lasting fame. This work in seventeen volumes was the fruit of his ripest years and was the most complete and accurate history of France that had then appeared (1713). It is still valuable, though overshadowed by more recent works. It went through many editions, and an abridgment of it in eight volumes made by the author was translated into German, English, and Italian. Besides this, a valuable work from original sources, the "Histoire de la milice française", contributed much to Daniel's reputation as a scholarly historian. The best edition of his great history is that of Paris (1755-60), in seventeen quarto volumes.
John F. X. Murphy.