The Moral Structure of Pedophilia
In contemporary America, condemnation of pedophilia rests on sentiment and not on moral reasoning. Nobody can simultaneously explain why pedophilia is so vile and uphold the first commandment of the sexual revolution: Fulfill thy desires.
Rehabbing Authenticity in an Ideological Age
We can only define ourselves authentically in terms of, in Charles Taylor’s words, a “backdrop of things that matter”—a set of values that transcend our arbitrary choices. The second of a two-part series.
Authenticity and the End of Rhetoric
Our current jargon of “authenticity” is an affront to political friendship—it demands that others always capitulate to our claims, and makes not doing so tantamount to harm. The first of a two-part series.
The HHS Mandate, Hosanna-Tabor, and the Question of Religious Organizations
The Supreme Court’s decision in Hosanna-Tabor v. EEOC shows that we need a workable legal framework for self-proclaimed religious organizations to claim protection under the Free Exercise Clause.
The Perils of Liberal Moralism: On Syria and Thomas More
Our president’s assumption that he should punish Syria for a moral, but not legal, transgression undermines international law.
Illusions of Unity? Mind, Value, and Nature
Is it wrong to study the natural sciences using a metaphysical framework that sees unity in reality?
Islam and Women: Surveying the Academic Debate
Because there is no central authority in Islam and many ambiguities exist within the Quran, the status of women in Islamic societies depends greatly on historical and cultural factors.
The Reluctant Eudaimonist: The Flaws of “Pragmatic Liberalism”
Robert Miller’s pragmatic liberalism fails to strike a satisfactory balance between Aristotelian-Thomistic eudaimonism and American liberalism because he does not defend the universality of moral principles.
Millennials and Marriage
Young Americans have come to believe that they can only achieve “good” marriages through professional success and economic prosperity.
Politics in Witness to Truth
The political and spiritual journey of a black Catholic staffer at the Democratic National Committee who quits his job in response to the Obama administration’s aggressive pro-abortion tactics and becomes a proud Republican.
Charity with a Conscience
We all have a moral obligation to use our surplus wealth to help those in need, but we should do so in a way that is effective, fair, and in accordance with our own vocations.
What Will Become of Equal Protection for Women?
Laws in Massachusetts and California requiring that sex-segregated facilities be open to both sexes will undermine equal protection for women.
Moral Anthropology, Social Ontology, and Authentic Human Freedom
The late Jean Bethke Elshtain understood that human beings are inherently relational, arguing that families are essential for human flourishing.
Marriage, Community, & Kinship
Marriage connects more than just a man and a woman: it creates and sustains the fabric of society as a whole.
America’s Declining Commitment to Self-Government
The president and Congressional supporters of attacking Syria suggest by their actions a strong disregard for public opinion and self-government.
How to Avoid an Unconstitutional War: A Beginner’s Guide for Presidents and Congresses
Without authorization from Congress, American presidents can only start unconstitutional wars, even if they are motivated by good intentions.
Islam’s Scholars for Dollars
Many Muslims do not have the financial resources or social clout to combat political and religious extremism. Such extremism is further enabled by scholars who let themselves be bought by the rich or powerful.
Allison Benedikt’s Immodest Proposal
A rant against private schools should teach all of us something about the purposes of education, and what responsible parents should seek for their children.
Hotels and the Pornography Plague: An Example of Moral Responsibility from Scandinavia
While many American hotel executives refuse to rid their businesses of pornography, Petter Stordalen, owner of one of Scandinavia’s largest hotel chains, is leading the way forward.
