#12520 The Best Argument Against Utilitarianism And More Patron Questions - Trent Horn

Dec 27, 2025

In this engaging conversation, Trent Horn, a Catholic apologist and author, tackles a variety of intriguing topics. He debunks the Jar Jar Sith theory and critiques the financial aspects of 'Home Alone.' Trent discusses the complexities of embryo adoption and presents compelling arguments against utilitarianism. Additionally, he shares strategies for evangelizing unbelieving family members and offers insights into addressing friends growing in other faiths. His thoughts on the significance of church dogmas and youth engagement in the faith are equally enlightening.

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ANECDOTE

Personal Work On Embryo Adoption

Trent co-edited an anthology on human embryo adoption with essays from Catholic scholars including Jimmy Akin.
He remains undecided and worries promoting embryo adoption could normalize IVF and increase embryo creation.

ADVICE

Resources And Tactics Against Utilitarianism

Read critiques and history: try Alasdair MacIntyre's After Virtue and works by Robert George for natural law.
Use thought experiments to show utilitarianism's problematic conclusions rather than abstract claims.

INSIGHT

Where Utilitarianism Misplaces Value

Utilitarianism misplaces ultimate value by reducing persons to aggregate well-being.
When followed consistently it yields repugnant conclusions like sacrificing individuals for greater total utility.

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In this wide-ranging Catholic Answers Live episode, Trent Horn tackles everything from pop-culture mysteries like whether Jar-Jar Binks could secretly be a Sith Lord and how the Home Alone dad could afford his lavish lifestyle, to serious moral and theological questions including embryo adoption, the strongest arguments against utilitarianism, and the best defenses of natural law ethics. Listeners also hear practical advice on helping friends who are drifting into charismatic churches, evangelizing atheist family members, and keeping college-bound Catholics rooted in the faith, along with a thoughtful explanation of Pope Leo’s comments on Marian titles such as Co-Redemptrix and Mater Populi Fidelis.

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Questions Covered:

01:35 – Was Jar-Jar a Sith lord?
05:55 – How did the Home Alone dad afford that house and trip?
12:35 – What are your thoughts on embryo adoption?
15:40 – What do you think is the best argument against utilitarianism and what are some good resources to refute this normative theory? What book or resource do you think provides the best defense of natural law ethics?
22:07 – Hi Trent. How do I approach a friend who believes many of our dogmas, but feels like he’s growing spiritually in his charismatic church, so he feels no need to change?
29:08 – Do you have any recommendations on trying to evangelize family members who are atheists?
32:52 – Hi Trent! What does Pope Leo’s statement on not using the title of Mary as co-redemptrix mean for the direction of the Church? Why was that statement important? As a new convert, I am unsure of the importance of the “Mater Populi Fidelis,” and I wondered if you could help me understand.
39:53 – How’s Laura?
46:03 – Hi, Trent. What do you think a pastor of a parish can do to keep his college-bound parishioners from straying from the Catholic faith?