EL DISEÑO NORMATIVO DE LA VIDA EN SOCIEDAD. EL CONTENIDO JURÍDICO DE LA BIBLIOTECA FRANCISCANA DE CÓRDOBA DEL TUCUMÁN (1701-1850)

Abstract

In the present work we study the legal content of the Librería Grande from the Franciscan convent from Cordoba (Argentina), the second most important library from the city. Why were these books in their shelves? What Legal-theological approaches and lines did they impose? What profits could they offer to the convent and its members?

We cannot ignore the importance of theological thinking in its moral and canonical aspect within the dominant knowledge that the criollo elites built, in a process of feedback that implied centreperiphery, metropolis-colony and whose main aim was to regulate societal life. Theology was very closely linked to the natural and statutory law. This knowledge was the basis of the political, social and economic order.

The emancipatory movements from the 18th century took the former regime in law and the moral theology. These days these movements are studied from multiple perspectives and are shown now with a new superficial change that re-elaborated, readapted and had refractions on a new socio-legal order in progress in transitional contexts. This new culture was taking shape with new and old elements, in apparent contradictions.

This framework explains the existence of legal books (not only canon law but also civil penal, trade and maritime law among others) in convent libraries and theological books—especially of moral hue— in libraries belonging to non clerical monks.