“Holy Body, Wholly Other: Sanctity and Society in the Lives of Irish Saints” focuses on the ways in which Ireland’s hagiographers portrayed holy otherness in the Lives of their subjects, using the Latin vitae, the vernacular bethada and the Lives containing both languages that survive from the 600s through the end of the fourteenth century. This study considers three broad themes, namely the transition of a sanctified essence into a holy body and the resulting alteration of an otherwise mortal form into a wholly other, the saintly prosecution of vengeance against those who wrong the body Christian and the enactment of hagiographical healing to bring the community of the faithful back to full integrity. These themes are analyzed within the social and cultural context of medieval Ireland, and are particularly compared with the biblical, apocryphal, heroic and legal writings of the Irish Middle Ages. Depictions of male and female saints are also compared and contrasted, as are the shifts in such depictions that occur between Latin and Irish narratives. Throughout the Lives the language of the laws of church and society inform the saint’s portrait, firmly situating these holy men and women within the sphere of medieval Ireland. Elements of Irish sanctity are drawn from vernacular heroic saga, but the predominant influence upon the Lives of Ireland’s sanctified is a powerful combination of apocryphal and canonical scriptures, demonstrating that Irish holiness can only have emanated from heaven. This combination, moreover, differs between male and female saints and between Latin and Irish Lives; holy men are modeled very strongly upon both Old and New Testament figures, while lady saints are painted more in the hues of imitatio Christi. Further, Latin vitae follow patterns capable of speaking to both Irish and non-Irish audiences alike, while vernacular Lives observe models that needed to appeal only to the Irish themselves.

This dissertation examines from a Vattimian perspective the challenge that euthanasia and assisted suicide posed to the sanctity of life ethos in Canada from 1972–2005. Gianni Vattimo’s central themes—metaphysics (absolute values), “event of being” (lived experiences that call absolute values into question), and passive-reactive nihilism (the use of “masks” or “disguises” to prevent the dissolution of metaphysics)—are pivotal to understanding the way religious and secular beliefs are interwoven within ethical, medical, legal and political discourses in Canada. Vattimo’s philosophico-ethical approach was specifically chosen because as a theoretical tool, it helps to illuminate the presence, weakening, and resilience of metaphysics in discourses surrounding an intentionally hastened death. To demonstrate how Vattimo’s major themes apply empirically to the research, a social constructionist approach was adopted in the form of a discourse analysis. Particular emphasis was placed on an examination of the three most important cases of death and dying in Canada, namely, Nancy B., Sue Rodriguez and Robert Latimer. The bulk of the evidence suggests that when these “events of being” challenged the sanctity doctrine as the ultimate foundation for life-terminating decisions, ethical, medical, legal and political discourses converged to promote three normative positions or authorizing discourses used in the tradition of Christian ethics: (1) stewardship—the view that since life is a “loan from God,” sacred, and of infinite worth, death cannot be intentionally hastened (“nature must take its course”); (2) value in prolonged suffering—the view that since suffering possesses transcendent meaning or purpose, its prolongation is justified in individual circumstances; and (3) the “slippery slope”—the view that any weakening of the sanctity of life ethos inevitably harms or threatens the community. Generally speaking, religious and secular advocates of the sanctity of life ethos reacted similarly in cases involving an intentionally hastened death. In other words, both the religious and the secular embraced metaphysics (absolute values), condoned and rationalized the prolongation of suffering, and relied on the “slippery slope” as a “mask” to maintain the sanctity of human life as first principle. The research strongly suggests that Canada is still significantly indebted to Christian notions when it comes to discussions surrounding the decriminalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide.

L'arbitre du commerce international peut-il, en l'absence de clause contractuelle expresse, procéder à l'adaptation du contrat lorsque survient un changement de circonstances qui modifie de façon substantielle l'équilibre contractuel initial? La complexification des schémas contractuels et l'émergence correspondante de nouvelles valeurs contractuelles favorisent la réception du principe rebus sic stantibus dans le droit commercial international. Les deux phénomènes permettent également d'envisager dans une nouvelle perspective les objections traditionnelles à la révision pour imprévision. Les arbitres du commerce international sont appelés à jouer un rôle, bien que modeste, dans le mouvement d'harmonisation privé du droit commercial international. Le contexte international de l'arbitrage et de la relation contractuelle, la volonté d'apaisement inhérente à ce mode de résolution des différends et le rapport particulier qu'entretient l'arbitre du commerce international avec le droit national permettront à ce dernier de privilégier, dans certaines circonstances, une option comme l'adaptation du contrat pour cause de hardship. Plusieurs facteurs devront cependant être examinés attentivement par le tribunal arbitral avant que ne soit prise la décision de procéder à l'adaptation du contrat. D'autres remèdes pourront être envisagés si une telle solution ne convient pas. / Is the arbitrator of international commerce entitled to adapt the contract when the parties did not provide so expressly and a supervening event provokes a substantiel change in the initial contractual equilibrum? The complexification of contractual schemes and the corresponding emergence of new values in contract theory made the reception of the rebus sic stantibus principle highly probable in international commercial law. These two phenomenas supplied keys for a revised perspective of the traditional objections to the application of the rebus sic stantibus principle. Arbitrators have a role to play in the movement of private harmonization of international commercial law. The international context in which they proceed, the inherent quality of appeasement in arbitration and the particularity of the relation between arbitrator and national law are making it possible for international arbitrators to give priority to adaptation of the contract when the circumstances are right. Many factors will have to be analysed by the arbitrator before he chooses to adapt the contract because adaptation is not always the best solution. Other remedies will have to be devised if it is the case. / "Mémoire présenté à la faculté des études supérieures en vue de l'obtention du grade de maîtrise, option droit des affaires (LL.M.)". Ce mémoire a été accepté à l'unanimité et classé parmi les 10% des mémoires de la discipline.

This dissertation examines from a Vattimian perspective the challenge that euthanasia and assisted suicide posed to the sanctity of life ethos in Canada from 1972–2005. Gianni Vattimo’s central themes—metaphysics (absolute values), “event of being” (lived experiences that call absolute values into question), and passive-reactive nihilism (the use of “masks” or “disguises” to prevent the dissolution of metaphysics)—are pivotal to understanding the way religious and secular beliefs are interwoven within ethical, medical, legal and political discourses in Canada. Vattimo’s philosophico-ethical approach was specifically chosen because as a theoretical tool, it helps to illuminate the presence, weakening, and resilience of metaphysics in discourses surrounding an intentionally hastened death. To demonstrate how Vattimo’s major themes apply empirically to the research, a social constructionist approach was adopted in the form of a discourse analysis. Particular emphasis was placed on an examination of the three most important cases of death and dying in Canada, namely, Nancy B., Sue Rodriguez and Robert Latimer. The bulk of the evidence suggests that when these “events of being” challenged the sanctity doctrine as the ultimate foundation for life-terminating decisions, ethical, medical, legal and political discourses converged to promote three normative positions or authorizing discourses used in the tradition of Christian ethics: (1) stewardship—the view that since life is a “loan from God,” sacred, and of infinite worth, death cannot be intentionally hastened (“nature must take its course”); (2) value in prolonged suffering—the view that since suffering possesses transcendent meaning or purpose, its prolongation is justified in individual circumstances; and (3) the “slippery slope”—the view that any weakening of the sanctity of life ethos inevitably harms or threatens the community. Generally speaking, religious and secular advocates of the sanctity of life ethos reacted similarly in cases involving an intentionally hastened death. In other words, both the religious and the secular embraced metaphysics (absolute values), condoned and rationalized the prolongation of suffering, and relied on the “slippery slope” as a “mask” to maintain the sanctity of human life as first principle. The research strongly suggests that Canada is still significantly indebted to Christian notions when it comes to discussions surrounding the decriminalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide.

This dissertation examines from a Vattimian perspective the challenge that euthanasia and assisted suicide posed to the sanctity of life ethos in Canada from 1972–2005. Gianni Vattimo’s central themes—metaphysics (absolute values), “event of being” (lived experiences that call absolute values into question), and passive-reactive nihilism (the use of “masks” or “disguises” to prevent the dissolution of metaphysics)—are pivotal to understanding the way religious and secular beliefs are interwoven within ethical, medical, legal and political discourses in Canada. Vattimo’s philosophico-ethical approach was specifically chosen because as a theoretical tool, it helps to illuminate the presence, weakening, and resilience of metaphysics in discourses surrounding an intentionally hastened death. To demonstrate how Vattimo’s major themes apply empirically to the research, a social constructionist approach was adopted in the form of a discourse analysis. Particular emphasis was placed on an examination of the three most important cases of death and dying in Canada, namely, Nancy B., Sue Rodriguez and Robert Latimer. The bulk of the evidence suggests that when these “events of being” challenged the sanctity doctrine as the ultimate foundation for life-terminating decisions, ethical, medical, legal and political discourses converged to promote three normative positions or authorizing discourses used in the tradition of Christian ethics: (1) stewardship—the view that since life is a “loan from God,” sacred, and of infinite worth, death cannot be intentionally hastened (“nature must take its course”); (2) value in prolonged suffering—the view that since suffering possesses transcendent meaning or purpose, its prolongation is justified in individual circumstances; and (3) the “slippery slope”—the view that any weakening of the sanctity of life ethos inevitably harms or threatens the community. Generally speaking, religious and secular advocates of the sanctity of life ethos reacted similarly in cases involving an intentionally hastened death. In other words, both the religious and the secular embraced metaphysics (absolute values), condoned and rationalized the prolongation of suffering, and relied on the “slippery slope” as a “mask” to maintain the sanctity of human life as first principle. The research strongly suggests that Canada is still significantly indebted to Christian notions when it comes to discussions surrounding the decriminalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide.

"Mémoire présenté à la faculté des études supérieures en vue de l'obtention du grade de maîtrise, option droit des affaires (LL.M.)". Ce mémoire a été accepté à l'unanimité et classé parmi les 10% des mémoires de la discipline. / L'arbitre du commerce international peut-il, en l'absence de clause contractuelle expresse, procéder à l'adaptation du contrat lorsque survient un changement de circonstances qui modifie de façon substantielle l'équilibre contractuel initial? La complexification des schémas contractuels et l'émergence correspondante de nouvelles valeurs contractuelles favorisent la réception du principe rebus sic stantibus dans le droit commercial international. Les deux phénomènes permettent également d'envisager dans une nouvelle perspective les objections traditionnelles à la révision pour imprévision. Les arbitres du commerce international sont appelés à jouer un rôle, bien que modeste, dans le mouvement d'harmonisation privé du droit commercial international. Le contexte international de l'arbitrage et de la relation contractuelle, la volonté d'apaisement inhérente à ce mode de résolution des différends et le rapport particulier qu'entretient l'arbitre du commerce international avec le droit national permettront à ce dernier de privilégier, dans certaines circonstances, une option comme l'adaptation du contrat pour cause de hardship. Plusieurs facteurs devront cependant être examinés attentivement par le tribunal arbitral avant que ne soit prise la décision de procéder à l'adaptation du contrat. D'autres remèdes pourront être envisagés si une telle solution ne convient pas. / Is the arbitrator of international commerce entitled to adapt the contract when the parties did not provide so expressly and a supervening event provokes a substantiel change in the initial contractual equilibrum? The complexification of contractual schemes and the corresponding emergence of new values in contract theory made the reception of the rebus sic stantibus principle highly probable in international commercial law. These two phenomenas supplied keys for a revised perspective of the traditional objections to the application of the rebus sic stantibus principle. Arbitrators have a role to play in the movement of private harmonization of international commercial law. The international context in which they proceed, the inherent quality of appeasement in arbitration and the particularity of the relation between arbitrator and national law are making it possible for international arbitrators to give priority to adaptation of the contract when the circumstances are right. Many factors will have to be analysed by the arbitrator before he chooses to adapt the contract because adaptation is not always the best solution. Other remedies will have to be devised if it is the case.

Law / LL.M.

Cette thèse a pour sujet principal la canonisation de Thomas d‟Aquin intervenue de 1319 à 1323. A partir des deux enquêtes que comprend le procès de canonisation et du premier texte hagiographique relatif à ce théologien, à savoir, la Ystoria sancti Thome Aquino, écrite par Guillaume de Tocco, lui aussi dominicain, au cours de la canonisation, nous soutenons que le pape Jean XXII fut le principal intéressé par la reconnaissance officielle de la sainteté de Thomas d‟Aquin. En effet, le procès inquisitorial présente des caractéristiques spécifiques, comparé aux procès instruits à la même époque. Nous aboutissons à cette conclusion au moyen de l‟application du concept de temps de sainteté. Il s‟agit d‟un tableau de temporalité comprenant le moment de la mort, celui de l‟ouverture du procès et enfin de la décision de canonisation. Dans le cas de Thomas d‟Aquin, le « temps de sainteté » dura 49 ans. Considérant les procès de saints issus d‟ordres religieux, depuis la canonisation de François d‟Assise jusqu‟au pontificat de Jean XII, l‟enquête relative au théologien dominicain révèle quelques indices qui dépassent les champs de la sainteté et de la croyance aux miracles. Dès lors, à partir de l‟idée de la sainteté comme étant une construction sociale, nous promouvons aussi l‟emploi de ce type de documentation dans les études d‟histoire sociale. Dans les trois chapitres de notre étude, les principes méthodologiques de l‟histoire comparée et de l‟histoire intellectuelle structurent la proposition que s‟inscrit aussi dans le champ des études d‟anthropologie scolastique. / Esta tese tem como tema principal a canonização de Tomás de Aquino ocorrida entre 1319-1323. A partir dos dois inquéritos que compõem o processo de canonização e da primeira hagiografia sobre o teólogo, a saber, a Ystoria sancti Thome Aquino, escrita pelo também dominicano Guilherme de Tocco no contexto da canonização defendemos que o principal interessado no reconhecimento oficial da santidade de Tomás era o papa João XXII. Para isso foi realizado um processo inquisitorial com características específicias em relação aos processos realizados no mesmo período. Chegamos a essa conclusão a partir da instrumentalização operada pelo conceito de tempo da santidade. Trata-se da consideração do período que compreende o momento da morte, da abertura do processo e a decisão para a canonização de modo retroativo, ou seja, a data inicial para o conceito é a data da canonização. No caso de Tomás de Aquino, o tempo da santidade durou 49 anos. Considerando os processos de santos de ordens religiosas a partir da canonização de Francisco de Assis ao pontificado de João XXII, o inquérito sobre o teólogo dominicano revela alguns indícios que extrapolam o âmbito da santidade e da crença em milagres. Sendo assim, a partir da idéia da santidade como uma construção social também defendemos o uso daquele tipo de documentação para estudos de história social. Nos três capítulos de nosso estudo os princípios metodológicos da história comparada e da história intelectual estruturam a proposta que também se insere no campo dos estudos de antropologia escolástica. / This thesis has as principal subject the canonisation of Thomas of Aquino which occured from 1319 to 1323. Taking into account the two inquiries which comprises the trial of canonisation and the first hagiographic text of the life of the theologian, the Ystoria sancti Thome Aquino written during the canonisation by William of Tocco, himself also a Dominican, we affirm that the pope John XXII was the person with the most interest in the official recognition of the sanctity of Thomas of Aquino. Indeed, the inquisitorial process presents certain specific characteristics in comparison with other processes instructed during the same period. We arrive to this conclusion by applying the concept oftime of sanctity, which is a timetable comprising the moment of death, the one of opening of the process, and finally the decision of canonisation. In the case of Thomas of Aquino, the “time of sanctity” lasted 49 years. Considering the processes of saints originated from religious orders, from the canonisation of Francis of Assisi on to the pontificate of John XII, the inquiry regarding the Dominican theologian shows some aspects which exceed the fields of sanctity and belief in miracles. From then on, considering the idea of sanctity as a social construction, we also promote the use of such documentation in the study of social history. In the three chapters of our study, the methodological principles of compared history and of intellectual history structure this proposition which also finds its place in the field of studies on scholastic anthropology. / La presente tesis tiene por objeto el estudio de la canonización de Santo Tomás de Aquino que tuvo lugar entre los años 1319-1323. Partiendo de las dos investigaciones que componen el proceso de canonización y de la primera hagiografía sobre el teólogo, a saber, la Ystoria sancti Thome Aquino, escrita por el también dominicano Guilherme de Tocco en el contexto de la canonización, defendemos que el principal interesado en el reconocimiento oficial de la santidad de Tomás fue el papa Juan XXII. Para ello se llevó a cabo un proceso inquisitorial de singulares características en relación a otros procesos realizados en el mismo periodo. Conclusión a la cual llegamos mediante la instrumentalización del concepto de tiempo de santidad, lapso temporal que comprende el momento de la muerte, la apertura del procedimiento y la decisión de la canonización. En el caso de Tomás de Aquino, ese tiempo de santidad fue de 49 años. Considerando los procesos de santificación en las órdenes religiosas a partir de la canonización de Francisco de Asís hasta el pontificado de Juan XXII, la investigación del teólogo dominicano revela algunos indicios que sobrepasan el ámbito de la santidad y de la creencia en milagros. En consecuencia, a partir de la idea de santidad como construcción social defendemos además el uso de este tipo de documentación para los estudios de historia social. En tres capítulos sustentados en los principios metodológicos de la historia comparada y la historia intelectual, estructuramos una propuesta que también se inserta en el campo de estudios de la antropología escolástica.

The legal historical development of fairness in the South African common law of contract is investigated in the context of the political, social and economic developments of the last four centuries. It emerges that the common law of contract is still dominated by the ideologies of individualism and economic liberalism which were imported from English law during the nineteenth century. Together with the theories of legal positivism and formalism which are closely related to parliamentary sovereignty and the classical rule of law, these ideals were transposed into the common law of contract through the classical model of contract law which emphasises freedom and sanctity of contract and promotes legal certainty. This approach resulted in the negation of the court’s equitable discretion and the limitation of good faith which sustain the social and economic inequalities that were created under colonialism and exacerbated under apartheid rule. In stark contrast, the modern human rights culture grounded in human dignity and aimed at the promotion of substantive equality led to the introduction of modern contract theory in other parts of the world. The introduction of the Constitution as grounded in human dignity and aimed at the achievement of substantive equality has resulted in a sophisticated jurisprudence on human dignity that reflects a harmonisation between its Western conception as based on Kantian dignity and ubuntu which provides an African understanding thereof. In this respect, ubuntu plays an important role in infusing the common law of contract with African values and in promoting substantive equality between contracting parties in line with modern contract theory. It is submitted that this approach to human dignity should result in the development of good faith into a substantive rule of the common law of contract which can be used to set aside an unfair contract term or the unfair enforcement thereof. / Private Law / LL. D.

Law / LL.M.