WOF 448: Freedom & Political Order w/ Patrick Deneen—Part I
Jul 29, 2024
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Patrick Deneen, a professor of political science at the University of Notre Dame, dives into compelling discussions on freedom and political order. He critiques liberalism's paradoxes and its impact on traditional institutions vital for virtue. Deneen contrasts classical and modern notions of government, revealing how prioritizing individual desires can lead to self-imposed tyranny. He also reflects on Tocqueville’s insights regarding the crucial role of religion in maintaining societal balance and the shifting confidence in Catholicism across generations.
Liberalism's inherent self-destructive nature stems from its principle of absolute freedom, conflicting with traditional values of self-restraint and virtue.
The emerging generation's growing discontent with liberalism suggests a potential shift towards prioritizing family and community over individualistic values.
Deep dives
The Self-Destructive Nature of Liberalism
Liberalism's failure is traced back to its own principles rather than external adversaries, making it inherently self-destructive. The ideal of liberalism centers on absolute freedom, which contrasts sharply with traditional views of liberty that value self-restraint and virtue. As liberalism advanced, it shaped institutions such as schools and family life, altering their original purposes to align with a modern understanding of freedom. This redefinition has contributed to various contemporary societal crises, revealing the costly consequences of a philosophy that idealizes unrestrained individual desire.
The Tyrant and Human Nature
Modern liberalism’s view of human nature essentially frames individuals as tyrants, necessitating a powerful state to impose order. The theory suggests that without such external restraints, personal desires would dominate, leading to chaos and oppression. This perspective draws on Hobbes’ assertion that human beings in their natural state act selfishly, requiring societal structures to prevent destructive outcomes. The paradox lies in the reality that while liberalism promotes freedom, it simultaneously fosters a dependency on state structures as the only means of curbing individualism.
Shift from the Classical Good to Value Relativism
Historically, societal governance sought to promote virtue and a common good, but the liberal framework has shifted towards privatizing individual pursuits of happiness. This transition marks a departure from classical conceptions of morality and the good, leading to a landscape dominated by subjective values. Figures like Thomas Hobbes and Jefferson epitomize this shift, contributing to a worldview where what is deemed 'good' is often relegated to personal interpretation. The result is a societal framework that permits diverging moral beliefs yet struggles to find a cohesive, guiding principle for the public good.
Hope for Future Generations
Despite the widespread recognition of liberalism's shortcomings, young people are increasingly questioning the prevailing liberal narrative and expressing a desire for better societal structures. The success of thought-provoking works, like those by Patrick Deneen, indicates a growing awareness and acknowledgment of the dysfunctions engendered by liberalism. This emerging generation shows promise for developing alternatives that prioritize family and community values over individualistic libertarianism. As this thoughtful minority gains traction, it may cultivate a more profound understanding of how to meaningfully address the crises of contemporary society.
Today, we bring you the first part of Bishop Barron's conversation with Patrick J. Deneen, a professor of political science at the University of Notre Dame. In the discussion, they touch on topics relating to freedom, truth, and the political order.
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