The Thomistic Institute
Social Ontology: Concepts and Verification | Russell Hittinger
Oct 24, 2023
Listen to Russell Hittinger, a leading scholar of Catholic political and social thought, discuss social ontology. Topics covered include Thomas Aquinas as the common doctor of Catholic social teaching, the challenges faced by liberation theology, the pitfalls of applying the principle of intensity to political structures, the evolution of excellence in various aspects of life, the historical context of key popes and changing social orders, the origins of the term 'social justice,' Aquinas' perspective on authority and Christian submission, and the dynamics of social ontology and the relationship between Christians and unbelievers.
01:08:02
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Quick takeaways
- The podcast emphasizes the need for clarity and precision in defining and understanding the adjective 'social' to avoid confusion and ensure a more accurate application of Catholic social teaching.
- The episode highlights the ambiguity and lack of precision that arise when terms like 'social justice' are not clearly defined, emphasizing the need for an objective norm and a better understanding of the roles of various social entities in matters of justice.
Deep dives
Distorted Use of the Adjective 'Social'
The podcast episode discusses the distorted use of the adjective 'social' in Catholic social teaching. It highlights the confusion that arises when the term 'social' is used without precision and without properly identifying which social realities it is abstracting from. The episode raises questions about the intrinsic common good of political order, the limits of subsidiary, the relationship between the social whole and its parts in matters of justice, and the issue of political community's jurisdiction in religious matters. It emphasizes the need for clarity and precision in defining and understanding the adjective 'social' to avoid confusion and ensure a more accurate application of Catholic social teaching.
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