Dr. Kevin Vallier discusses the revival of integralism, exploring its opposition to liberalism. They delve into the church-state relationship, arguments against integralism, and the balance between freedom and punishment for heretics. The conversation expands to political theology and the importance of broadening perspectives.
Integralism promotes church-state subordination for common good, challenging liberal democracy.
Challenges to integralism include feasibility, sustainability, and fairness amidst societal complexities and individual freedoms.
Deep dives
Catholic Traditionalism and Integralism Explored
Discussion surrounding the increasing interest in integralism among Catholic students, contrasting it with the liberal alternative. Dr. Kevin Vallier, an Associate Professor of Philosophy, sheds light on the history and key principles of integralism. Integralism centers around the subordination of the state to the Church, outlining a hierarchical relationship aiming at promoting the common good and spiritual mission. The historical context and the decline of integralism post the Second Vatican Council are explored, highlighting the challenges of reconciling Catholicism with liberal democracy.
Challenges to Integralism
Dr. Kevin Vallier delves into three major challenges against integralism: the transition, stability, and justice arguments. The transition argument questions the feasibility of adopting integralism due to moral dilemmas and potential opposition within the Church. The stability argument challenges the sustainability of an integralist regime, questioning its coherence with human nature and societal harmony. Lastly, the justice argument debates the fairness of integralism, emphasizing potential religious coercion and implications on individual freedoms within the framework.
Political Order and Religious Establishment
The discussion extends to the implications of religious establishment in political regimes, exploring different levels of establishment such as symbolic, soft, and hard. Dr. Kevin Vallier considers the impact of varying degrees of religious establishment on religious minorities and societal dynamics. The conversation reflects on historical examples of Christian and Islamic establishment, highlighting the complexities and outcomes of different establishment models on political, religious, and social structures.
Integralism is a philosophy of church and state that seemed to have been definitively rejected. And yet, it has received new life from prominent proponents in recent days. Dr. Kevin Vallier has written a new book that looks at the good and the bad of integralism. Matt, Alastair, and Derek discuss it with him.
Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com.
Timestamps:
Go and Listen [0:00]
The Story So Far [1:29]
The Revival [8:48]
The Opposition [13:39]
Liberalism [21:13]
Favorite Arguments [28:56]
Why Bother [37:00]
Establishmentarianism [45:00]
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