(1548-1617) Jesuit theologian and philosopher of law, and in particular international law, called by some the last of the great scholastics. The notion of jus gentium, the law, recognized and agreed by all peoples, otherwise known as natural law, or, more simply, morality, had been in existence from ancient times. The notion of international law was new. It was generated by the expansion of the known Western world by the explorations of Columbus, Da Gama, and others. Suarez's theory of law is contained in Tractatus de Legibus ac Deo Legislatore. For the most part his theory of law is in the Thomist tradition, though he introduces refinements on law and right, natural law and jus gentium (which he regards as unwritten law or custom), the relationship between positive and natural law, penal law and conscience, and much else. On international law he drew up conditions for a just war that remain influential.
— Cyril Barrett
