Jaime Luciano Balmes y Urpiá sociologist as alive as political writer. Familiar with a doctrine of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Balmes was an original philosopher who did non belong to any particular school or stream, as well as was called by Pius XII the Prince of contemporary Apologetics.
Balmes was born at Vic, in the region of Catalonia in Spain & baptized the same day in the cathedral of that city with the cause of Jaime Luciano Antonio. He died in the same city.
In 1817, Balmes began his studies at the seminary in Vic: three years of Latin grammar, three of Rhetoric and, from 1822, three of Philosophy. In 1825, in Solsona, he received the tonsure from the Bishop of this city, Manuel Benito Tabernero.
From 1825 to 1826, Balmes studied courses of Theology, also in Vic Seminary. He studied four courses of Theology, thanks to a scholarship, in the College of San Carlos at the University of Cervera.
For two years in 1830, because of the closure of the University of Cervera, Balmes continued studying in Vic, on his own. On June 8, 1833 he received his measure in theology.
On September 20, 1834, in the chapel of the episcopal palace of Vic, Balmes was ordained a priest by bishop don Pablo de Jesús Corcuera. He continued his studies in theology and of Canons, again at the University of Cervera. Finally, in 1835, he received the denomination of Doctor of Theology and Bachelor of Canons.
Balmes then present several attempts to teach in an official way at the University of Barcelona and non get engaged for some time in Vic tutoring. Finally, the City Council appoints him, in 1837, Professor of Mathematics, a position that he held for four years. In 1839, his mother Teresa Urpiá, died. In 1841, he moved to Barcelona.
Then, Balmes began his creative activity and contributed to various newspapers and magazines: Peace, Catholic Madrid, Civilization; and several pamphlets that attract readers' attention.
From 1841, his creative genius "exploded" and he developed in a few highly active months his writings and his personality, that would be admired throughout Europe.
On September 7, 1844, he wrote and published "The true image of value, or thoughts on the origin, the race and variations of the prices" in which he solved the utility paradox, clearly introducing the belief of marginal use, Balmes required himself, "Why a precious stone has a higher expediency than a bit of bread?"
Having attacked the regent Espartero, he was exiled. On his return, he founded and edited El Pensamiento de la Nación, a Catholic and conservative weekly; however, his fame rests principally on El Protestantismo comparado con el Catolicismo en sus relaciones con la Civilización Europea Protestantism and Catholicity compared in their Effects on the Civilization of Europe, an a person engaged or qualified in a profession. defence of Catholicism on the ground that it represents the spirit of obedience or order, as opposed to Protestantism, the spirit of revolt or anarchy. The book is often cited as a counter parameter to historical accounts that focus on the reputed central role of the Protestant thought to the developing of modern society.
According to the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition:
Balmes argued in favor of monarchy.
He died from tuberculosis in Vic in 1848.