Wendell Berry, Political Philosophy, & the Catholic Intellectual Tradition | Prof. Joshua Hochschild
Nov 13, 2019
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Prof. Joshua Hochschild discusses Wendell Berry's political philosophy and Catholic social teachings. They explore themes in 'That Hideous Strength', Catholic social teaching responses to modernity, heavenly hierarchy in Christianity, challenges in university education, and fighting oil and gas interests. Emphasis on defending community, waste reduction, and balancing conflicting interests in modern institutions.
Avoid over-specialization in work to prevent dehumanization and enhance productivity.
Promote collaboration in factory settings to improve engagement and efficiency.
Balance empirical standards with human well-being to avoid reductionism in scientific endeavors.
Deep dives
Against Over-Specialization
Wendell Berry criticizes over-specialization, emphasizing the need to avoid losing sight of the overall purpose behind tasks. He argues that when individuals become too specialized and fail to understand the holistic picture of their work, dehumanization occurs, impacting productivity and psychological well-being.
Critical of Dehumanizing Factories
Berry opposes dehumanizing factories where workers operate in isolated specialized roles without comprehending the wider context of their contributions. He highlights the detrimental effects of assembly-line production methods on individual engagement and productivity. Berry advocates for a more collaborative approach within factory settings to enhance efficiency and employee well-being.
Concerns with Scientism
Berry critiques scientism, which prioritizes empirical-based standards while overlooking the broader implications of human well-being and natural harmony. He warns against reducing human existence to measurable standards, advocating for a balanced approach that incorporates poetry, metaphor, and flexibility in scientific endeavors.
Opportunity Costs and Sustainability
Berry emphasizes the importance of considering opportunity costs and hidden environmental impacts in economic and industrial decisions. He challenges individuals to account for all costs, including pollution, soil degradation, and loss of biodiversity, associated with seemingly 'efficient' practices. By promoting sustainable and holistic decision-making, Berry seeks to minimize negative consequences over the long term.
Personal Responsibility and Rootedness
Berry encourages individuals to take personal responsibility for their choices and surroundings, advocating for intentional decision-making that considers long-term consequences. He emphasizes the significance of finding rootedness in a place, actively engaging with local communities, and cultivating a sense of belonging and stewardship towards the environment. By fostering personal connections and sustainable practices, Berry envisions a more harmonious and responsible society.
This lecture was given at the University of Texas at Austin on 24 October 2019.
Joshua Hochschild is the Monsignor Robert R. Kline Professor of Philosophy at Mount St. Mary’s University, where he also served six years as the inaugural Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. His primary research is in medieval logic, metaphysics, and ethics, with broad interest in liberal education and the continuing relevance of the Catholic intellectual tradition. He is the author of The Semantics of Analogy: Rereading Cajetan’s De Nominum Analogia (2010), translator of Claude Panaccio’s Mental Language: From Plato to William of Ockham (2017), and co-author of A Mind at Peace: Reclaiming an Ordered Soul in the Age of Distraction (2017). His writing has appeared in First Things, Commonweal, Modern Age and the Wall Street Journal. For 2020-21 he’s been elected to serve as President of the American Catholic Philosophical Association.
For more information on this and other events go to thomisticinstitute.org/events-1
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