ABSTRACT
An early formulation of economic dualism is found in the eleventh century in St Peter Damian (Pietro Damiani), a Benedictine cardinal (and thus sympathetic to the issue of work), but also a strict hermit. Apparently Peter Damian simply underlined the distinction made by the Fathers between the life of religious figures, who must despise earthly things, and that of secular men, who can love the world, but not to excess.29 But in this traditional context, he put forward some ideas that were totally new. It is the duty of the secular men, he wrote, to promote ever greater temporal well-being (although temporal goods are merely a tool for spiritual life). Peter Damian also seemed to consider work not only as a duty but also as the only legitimate source of income.30
