Kenneth Craycraft discusses his new book: Citizens Yet Strangers
Apr 8, 2024
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Kenneth Craycraft discusses his book 'Citizens Yet Strangers' in the podcast, touching on living authentically Catholic in a polarized society. The conversation explores challenges in writing about politics and Catholicism, reflects on civic friendship in 'After Virtue', contrasts liberal Protestantism with left-wing politics, and discusses the complexities of homeschooling and subsidiarity in political action.
Natural law stems from divine law participation, rooted in Christological understanding.
Current political challenges stem from moral language fragmentation and rise of regulatory state.
Voting decisions should align with conscience, avoiding settling for lesser evils in candidates.
Deep dives
The Significance of Natural Law and Christological Understanding in Catholic Moral Thinking
The podcast delves into the importance of natural law as the human participation in divine law, which is firmly rooted in a Christological understanding. It emphasizes that natural law is not a universal moral language but rather stems from a participation in eternal law, which is connected to the teachings and faith of Christianity, particularly emphasizing the participation in the mind of God.
Navigating the Current American Political Landscape from a Catholic Perspective
The discussion highlights the challenges within the current American political landscape, describing it as bleak due to the fragmentation of moral languages leading to tribalization. The podcast criticizes the rise of the regulatory state as a response to the false notion of individualism in society, fostering a culture of emotivism rather than rational morality or politics. There is a call for Catholics to critically assess the two candidates in the forthcoming election and to potentially refrain from voting as a means of showing the lack of a compelling alternative.
Reflection on Voting Practices and Voting Down the Ticket
Regarding voting practices, the podcast explores the idea of abstaining from voting for the presidential candidate while engaging in down-ticket voting or supporting niche parties as a form of electoral expression. It raises questions about the effectiveness of such practices and the potential implications they have on the democratic process and civic engagement. The discussion also touches on the significance of making informed voting decisions beyond partisan allegiances and the importance of aligning political choices with religious convictions.
Importance of Conscience in Voting
The podcast emphasizes the importance of not settling for the lesser of two evils in Catholic moral thought when deciding on political candidates. It highlights that casting a vote should align with one's conscience and not just be a choice based on the perception of the lesser evil. An example comparing voting between Stalin and Hitler to illustrate the significance of making a morally good choice rather than simply opting for the lesser evil is discussed.
Understanding Subsidiarity in Public Life
The podcast delves into the concept of subsidiarity within the broader context of public life, emphasizing that politics is a subset of public engagement. It clarifies the misconception that subsidiarity only pertains to small, local institutions by stressing that the focus should be on institutions' effectiveness in aiding individuals' development and flourishing while respecting moral agency. The discussion extends to how subsidiarity can apply beyond local levels, highlighting examples like national healthcare as compatible with subsidiarity when oriented towards helping individuals flourish.
