D.C. Schindler, a brilliant philosopher, discusses the analogy between metaphysics and politics, emphasizing God's involvement in both without being the direct focus. He explores the interconnectedness of God, individual persons, and human communities in political theory. The conversation delves into the relationship between family and the political community, the nature of political authority, and God's active presence in human affairs. Exploring the beauty and order in reality, the discussion challenges modern views on God's role in politics.
God is intimately present within politics, serving as the highest good of human community.
Metaphysics and politics share a reciprocity in understanding being and the foundation of sciences.
Politics should aim to order society around the comprehensive good, challenging limitations to avoid totalitarianism.
Deep dives
The Theory of Politics
The author discusses the motivation behind writing the book on politics, emphasizing the need for a constructive presentation of a theory of politics rather than just critiques. The idea of political metaphysics taking a central place in the author's thinking is highlighted, leading to the exploration of politics from a new angle.
Metaphysics and Politics
An analogy is drawn between metaphysics and politics as ruling sciences, with metaphysics studying the foundation of all other sciences. The reciprocity between metaphysics and individual sciences is explained, highlighting how studying individual sciences can provide insights into the study of being.
Politics as Comprehensive Good
The discussion delves into how politics should be viewed as ordering community around the highest good, which ultimately connects to God. The inevitable inclusion of comprehensive good in political community is underscored, challenging the common belief that politics should be limited to avoid totalitarianism.
The Relationship Between Church and State
The podcast episode raises questions about the relationship between the church and the state and the traditional Catholic conception of this dynamic. The complex interplay between political authority and theological influence in historical contexts is analyzed, shedding light on the church's role in guiding the political order.
Natural Religion and Political Authority
The concept of natural religious impulses in cities and the implications of rejecting Christianity on the city's identity are explored. The podcast tackles the legitimacy of political authority and the potential discourse on rulers actively going against moral principles.
One of the most brilliant philosophers working today, D.C. Schindler, returns to the Catholic Culture Podcast to discuss his latest book, God and the City: An Essay in Political Metaphysics. In it, he draws an analogy between metaphysics as the most comprehensive science in the theoretical order and politics as the most comprehensive science in the practical order. Examining how in metaphysics, God is necessarily involved, yet without being the direct object of that science, Schindler argues that the same is true of the relationship between God and politics. Just as it is in God that the individual person "lives and moves and has its being", even before revelation and grace enter the picture, God is both the highest good of human community, and intimately present within it.