“Operae liberales”: consideración social y aspectos jurídicos relevantes de las profesiones liberales en la Roma antigua

• Autores: Jonatan Tobío Fernández
• Localización: RDUNED. Revista de derecho UNED, ISSN-e 2255-3436, ISSN 1886-9912, Nº. 24, 2019, págs. 403-432
• Idioma: español
• Títulos paralelos:
  • “Operae liberales”: social consideration and relevant legal aspects of liberal professions in ancient Rome
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• Resumen
  • español

    En la Grecia y Roma clásicas, en donde cimientan los fundamentos estructurales de nuestra actual civilización, van a otorgar la más alta consideración al ser humano dedicado al desarrollo del intelecto, con un otium encaminado al cultivo de la mente y dedicado a una ocupación relacionada con algún ámbito del saber que requiera el uso del conocimiento y el dominio de una lex artis —no obstante, adquiere también relevancia el cultivo del cuerpo, pero, por lo general, en aras de una correcta instrucción militar, al objeto de prestar servicio, si fuere necesario, en defensa de la comunidad o sociedad—. La Roma clásica, que absorbe el pensamiento de los filósofos griegos —sobre todo, el arte de la retórica y la elocuencia—, a semejanza de la propia Grecia, distinguirá aquellos trabajos manuales, dependientes y serviles, que Cicerón califica como viles, en los que para su realización, por regla general, se imprime esfuerzo físico y para los que, en algunos casos, se requiere el dominio de un arte, pero que, en otros, ni tan siquiera se precisa el conocimiento previo de técnica alguna —o, de necesitarse, se trataría de un mínimo modus operandi—, de aquellas otras actividades en las que, para su fiel desempeño, es imprescindible poseer rigurosos conocimientos teóricos y prácticos, por lo que traen consigo una considerable carga intelectual, así como, en su ejecución, se caracterizan por su autonomía, lo que implica alto grado de libertad e independencia. Estas notas, que han perdurado a lo largo de la historia, en la actualidad continúan funcionando como elementos que, al valorarse en su conjunto, distinguen a las denominadas en la actualidad profesiones liberales del resto de profesiones, oficios u ocupaciones.In classical Greece and Rome, where the foundations of our present civilization were laid, they regarded most highly human beings dedicated to developing their intellect, with an otium intended for the cultivation of the mind and dedicated to an occupation associated with a field of knowledge that requires the use of expertise and the mastery of a lex artis —although the cultivation of the body also acquires importance for the purpose of correct military instruction to serve in defense of the community or society if needed—. Classical Rome, which absorbed Greek philosophy —especially the rhetorical art of eloquence—, like Greece itself, made a distinction between manual, dependent and servile labor, which Cicero considered base, which require physical force as a general rule and which in some cases also require the mastery of an art, but in other do not even demand prior knowledge of a technique —and if they do it would be merely a modus operandi—, and other activities where it is indispensable for their correct practice to possess rigorous theoretical and practical knowledge. The latter entaila considerable intellectual onus, and their practice is characterized by autonomy, which implies a high degree of freedom and independence. These features, which have continued throughout history, currently continue to function as elements which, if taken as a group, set apart in the present day the liberal professions from the rest of professions, trades or occupations.

  • English

    In classical Greece and Rome, where the foundations of our present civilization were laid, they regarded most highly human beings dedicated to developing their intellect, with an otium intended for the cultivation of the mind and dedicated to an occupation associated with a field of knowledge that requires the use of expertise and the mastery of a lex artis —although the cultivation of the body also acquires importance for the purpose of correct military instruction to serve in defense of the community or society if needed—. Classical Rome, which absorbed Greek philosophy —especially the rhetorical art of eloquence—, like Greece itself, made a distinction between manual, dependent and servile labor, which Cicero considered base, which require physical force as a general rule and which in some cases also require the mastery of an art, but in other do not even demand prior knowledge of a technique —and if they do it would be merely a modus operandi—, and other activities where it is indispensable for their correct practice to possess rigorous theoretical and practical knowledge. The latter entaila considerable intellectual onus, and their practice is characterized by autonomy, which implies a high degree of freedom and independence. These features, which have continued throughout history, currently continue to function as elements which, if taken as a group, set apart in the present day the liberal professions from the rest of professions, trades or occupations.