During my recent reading of the prologue to the third edition of Alasdair MacIntyre's After Virtue, I realized that I had never, either for others' education or my own, written down my own understanding of MacIntyre's process of arbitration between rival traditions of rational inquiry. Since that process is central to MacIntyre's project and I … Continue reading MacIntyre’s Concept of Inter-Tradition Conflict
Catholicism
A Man For Our Season
In the preface to his play, A Man for All Seasons, Robert Bolt explains his motivation for choosing Thomas More as his hero. He describes an inability in the people of his time to answer the question of what and who they are. The individual is dissatisfied with defining himself as a Man because he … Continue reading A Man For Our Season
Nature Is Incomplete.
I recently found myself standing in the midst of a forest full of redwoods and feeling oddly uncomfortable. Surrounded by rare giants, some of whom had fallen and some whom were still proudly displaying their two-thousand-year-old glory, I didn't feel quite as I ought to have. At another time of life not so long ago, … Continue reading Nature Is Incomplete.
The Quintessence of Dust
My intent in writing this point is twofold: first, to humbly remind my friends that we are engaged in a brutal war on two different fronts, and second, just to offer some simple thoughts on the nature of the conflict. Political Warfare: We are engaged in a great political war. Donald Trump, the unapologetic nationalist, … Continue reading The Quintessence of Dust
Who Was Charles Carroll?
In his recent address to American Catholics, President Trump began, "From the very beginning of our Republic, Catholics have uplifted and enriched our nation beyond measure. Catholics like Charles Carroll helped secure American Independence." Who was Charles Carroll? Born in 1737, Carroll would become the only Roman Catholic signee of the Declaration of Independence.
C. S. Lewis on Conscience, Reason, and Pacifism
In the midst of the chaos that has erupted in many cities across the U.S., in the midst of the burning of homes, and destruction of businesses, and ruination of lives, and needless violence, many of us are asking, “What do we do now?” Do we pursue the famed Benedict Option and retreat from society, … Continue reading C. S. Lewis on Conscience, Reason, and Pacifism
What is the Catholic Response to a Church in Crisis?
Several weeks ago, I was struck by a weekday homily given by our deacon. The deacon reflected on the Gospel passage where Christ tells his disciples to do what the scribes and Pharisees say because they sit upon Moses’ seat. Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples, Saying: The scribes and the … Continue reading What is the Catholic Response to a Church in Crisis?
In Support of Fr. Paul Graney
In case you haven't heard yet, a Catholic priest in Detroit, Fr. Paul Graney, made the following remarks during a homily: "Al-Qaeda's goal was to come to the United States and kill Americans. Really just wanted to wipe America off the map. And they would have done it if they could," said Graney, who has … Continue reading In Support of Fr. Paul Graney
Are you secretly Libertarian… AND Catholic? (Part 3)
Thick vs. Thin Libertarianism The difference between thick and thin libertarianism hinges on answering the question - is libertarianism only a political philosophy, or can it be, for instance, a moral philosophy as well? Does it only answer political questions, or moral questions as well? I advocate for thin libertarianism, a libertarianism that answers the … Continue reading Are you secretly Libertarian… AND Catholic? (Part 3)
Reflecting with Augustine on the Tyranny of Babies
After six months of feeding, clothing and cleaning the miniature human that is my daughter, I began to wonder if I had become a slave to a tyrant. A tyrant is a person who wants only to fulfill his own will, regardless of whether it is good for himself or for those he rules. Does … Continue reading Reflecting with Augustine on the Tyranny of Babies
