WOF 471: How to Reclaim Civil Society for the Common Good
Jan 6, 2025
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Explore the cultural shift favoring Catholic social thought in the U.S. and its implications for the common good. Discover how the Church can address urgent issues like education, immigration, and the economy by balancing moral principles with practical judgments. Delve into the tensions between Catholic social justice and progressive ideologies that prioritize a perfect society. Lastly, ponder a listener's question about the kingdom of God and its relevance in today's political and social landscape.
The current cultural shift in the United States may present an opportunity for Catholic teachings to gain traction in advocating for the common good.
Catholic social thought emphasizes the distinction between non-negotiable moral principles and variable prudential judgments in addressing complex policy issues.
Deep dives
The Timelessness of Catholic Social Thought
Catholic social thought is based on both natural law and divine revelation, establishing principles that remain relevant throughout time. Despite its intrinsic value, the influence of Catholic teachings on secular society varies, oscillating between acceptance and rejection. Presently, there is an indication of a cultural shift in the United States, potentially leading to a more receptive attitude toward these teachings. This presents an opportunity for the Church to effectively advocate for principles that promote the common good within society.
Understanding the Common Good
The Catholic conception of the common good is about creating social conditions that enable individual flourishing within the community. Unlike utilitarianism, which focuses on achieving the greatest good for the greatest number, Catholic thought emphasizes the full development of every person’s potential. The common good framework seeks to recognize each individual's dignity while balancing both collective and individual needs. This nuanced approach allows for a more comprehensive understanding of morality in societal interactions rather than relying solely on empirical measures.
The Role of Individual Dignity
The Catholic tradition stresses that individual dignity is non-negotiable and must be upheld in all societal structures. It argues against the modern emphasis on autonomy that can lead to viewing individuals as expendable based on their capabilities or circumstances. This perspective urges society to recognize that dignity comes from being a beloved child of God, grounded in moral principles rather than subjective measures of worth. Such an approach promotes a healthier social framework that honors the inherent value of every person.
Navigating Moral and Prudential Judgments
Catholic social thought makes a crucial distinction between non-negotiable moral principles and prudential judgments in policymaking. While certain actions, such as abortion or slavery, are deemed intrinsically wrong and non-negotiable, discussions on the best ways to address social issues like poverty are open to debate. This distinction allows for diverse opinions within a moral framework, facilitating constructive dialogue about the best methods for achieving common goals. Clarity in these distinctions helps prevent conflating fundamentally different ethical considerations in public discourse.
A cultural shift seems to be underway, at least within the United States, that is potentially making society more open—perhaps even more positively disposed—to the wisdom of the Catholic social thought tradition. If there is an opportunity for Catholic teachings to have more cultural and political traction now, how should the Church take advantage of it? What counsel can the Church give on complex policy issues like education, immigration, the economy, and foreign policy? Today we discuss the Catholic understanding of the common good and how it is especially relevant in this moment.
A listener asks, what is the kingdom of God?
00:00 | Intro 01:41 | Bishop Barron visits a mentor 02:52 | Religion: public or private? 06:56 | Assessing recent shifts in culture 08:09 | Common good vs. utilitarianism 10:49 | Dignity vs. autonomy 14:35 | Common good vs. social justice 18:37 | Common good vs. generic conservatism 21:25 | Nonnegotiable moral principles vs. variable prudential judgments 24:27 | Common good and education 28:23 | Common good and the economy 30:30 | Common good and immigration 33:38 | Common good and foreign policy 35:38 | Listener question: What is the kingdom of God? 37:38 | Join the Word on Fire Institute
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