When Rights Go Wrong: Thomistic Reflections on Rights, Justice & the Common Good | Fr. Dominic Legge
Apr 24, 2024
auto_awesome
Thomistic scholar Fr. Dominic Legge discusses contrasting perspectives on western liberal society, Aquinas' views on justice and the common good, influence of Augustine and Aquinas on Christian ethics, and the complexities of rights and the common good from a Thomistic perspective.
Individual autonomy is a key factor in the decay of Western liberal society.
Aquinas views individual rights as derived from the common good, intertwining rights with justice and law.
Deep dives
Importance of Understanding the Present Societal Decline
Analyzing the root causes of the decay in Western liberal society, the podcast delves into the implications of individual autonomy as a major factor in the failure of liberalism. The need to diagnose the current situation, identify the causes, and suggest solutions for the future is highlighted in the discussion.
Theoretical and Existential Issues in Modern Liberalism
The podcast explores the theoretical challenges faced by contemporary liberalism, questioning whether the Enlightenment notion of liberty is the core theoretical issue. Existential concerns such as the detachment of individuals from communities and the impact of historical events like the industrial revolution are also examined.
Aquinas' Perspective on Law, Justice, and Individual Rights
Aquinas' synthesis of justice, law, and the common good is discussed, emphasizing the centrality of reason and order in his conception. The podcast highlights Aquinas' view of individual rights as derived from the common good and explains how rights are intertwined with justice and law.
Reconciling Individual Rights and the Common Good
In the discussion, the tension between individual rights and the common good is addressed, reflecting on the necessity of understanding rights within the broader context of the common good. Aquinas' perspective on individual rights as related to the community's well-being is presented as a way to navigate this complex interplay.