Marriage as Natural Community | Prof. Joshua Hochschild
Feb 12, 2025
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Joshua Hochschild, a Professor of Philosophy at Mount St. Mary's University, delves into marriage as a natural community and the philosophical foundations of human interactions. He contrasts Aristotle's views on natural versus artificial communities with modern social contract theory. Hochschild discusses how technology impacts relationships, highlighting the risk of detachment in communication. He draws parallels between Aristotle's insights on community, politics, and the essential virtues for meaningful relationships, emphasizing a moral order in our social fabric.
The podcast emphasizes the relevance of natural law in understanding marriage and community, challenging modern individualism through a philosophical lens.
It explores how modern technology alters community interactions, risking the neglect of essential social virtues vital for marital relationships.
Deep dives
The Role of Philosophy in Theology of the Body
Philosophy significantly supports the theological framework of the body, particularly through the lens of natural law. The speaker reflects on their unique journey to Catholicism, where they acknowledged the Church's teachings on contraception well before formally joining the faith, illustrating a philosophical grounding in Catholic doctrine. This perspective highlights the necessity of articulating complex teachings such as John Paul II's Theology of the Body, which serves not only as a biblical exegesis but also as a comprehensive understanding of human nature and destiny. By presenting these teachings through natural law, it becomes essential for addressing modern ethical dilemmas and risks posed to family and community structures.
Understanding Natural Communities
The concept of natural communities, as emphasized by Aristotle, challenges the contemporary tendency to view communities as mere constructs of human will. Instead, Aristotle's view suggests that certain communities, including the family, are inherent to human nature and essential for individual and collective flourishing. The speaker argues that modern political philosophy, particularly social contract theories, often undermines this idea, promoting individualism over the recognition of natural communal ties. By exploring Aristotle’s notion of justice and societal roles, the importance of acknowledging these natural communities is underscored in fostering true human connections.
The Impact of Technology on Human Interaction
The influence of modern technology complicates our understanding of community by transforming the ways individuals interact and relate to one another. While technology is typically viewed as a tool designed to enhance productivity, it often leads to 'act-replacing' scenarios where essential social virtues are neglected. For example, the introduction of contraceptive technology allows couples to bypass vital communication and collaboration, thus deteriorating the interdependence foundational to marital friendships. This technological shift necessitates a reevaluation of how communities are built and maintained in a rapidly changing world.
Exploring the Cardinal Virtues in Theology of the Body
The teachings of Theology of the Body resonate deeply with the cardinal virtues of wisdom, justice, courage, and temperance. Each virtue plays a pivotal role in guiding individuals toward a moral understanding of their relationships, particularly in the context of sexuality and marriage. The emphasis on courage is particularly salient, as it encourages individuals to recognize their dignity and uphold noble pursuits amidst societal pressures. By integrating these virtues into the framework of human relationships and community life, the discourse reinforces the intrinsic worth of each person and the value of authentic connections.
Joshua Hochschild is Professor of Philosophy at Mount St. Mary’s University, where he also served six years as the inaugural Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. His primary research is in medieval logic, metaphysics, and ethics, with broad interest in liberal education and the continuing relevance of the Catholic intellectual tradition. He is the author of The Semantics of Analogy: Rereading Cajetan’s De Nominum Analogia (2010), translator of Claude Panaccio’s Mental Language: From Plato to William of Ockham (2017), and co-author of A Mind at Peace: Reclaiming an Ordered Soul in the Age of Distraction (2017). His writing has appeared in First Things, Commonweal, Modern Age and the Wall Street Journal. For 2020-21 he served as President of the American Catholic Philosophical Association.
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