The Thomistic Institute
Famine, Affluence, and Aquinas | Prof. Marshall Bierson
Apr 4, 2025
Marshall Bierson, a philosophy professor with a keen interest in ethics and personal nature, dives into the moral complexities of theft and property rights influenced by Aquinas and Anscombe. He argues that in extreme situations, taking from others may not always be theft, opening up a nuanced discussion on moral absolutism. Bierson also examines Aquinas's views on wealth distribution, emphasizing the obligation of the affluent to assist the needy, challenging listeners to reconsider their perceptions of justice and ownership.
45:41
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Quick takeaways
- Prof. Bierson emphasizes the importance of moral absolutes in ethical discussions, contrasting Aquinas and Anscombe's views with contemporary consequentialist theories.
- The podcast highlights how extreme need can complicate the morality of actions such as theft, suggesting a nuanced understanding of ethical dilemmas.
Deep dives
Revitalizing Moral Philosophy
The discussion centers on Elizabeth Anscombe's appeal for a revival of Aristotelian and Thomistic approaches to moral philosophy, particularly in contrast to prevailing ethical theories of her time. Anscombe critiques the lack of moral absolutes in contemporary thought, positing that certain actions, such as theft and intentional killing of the innocent, should be viewed as inherently wrong regardless of consequences. This contrasts sharply with consequentialism, which holds that the morality of an action depends on its outcomes. Anscombe's work calls for a return to a moral framework that acknowledges absolute moral truths anchored in a Judeo-Christian tradition.
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