Who Am I to Judge? Politics and the Problem of Moral Relativism | Prof. Francis Beckwith

03/14/25 • 37 min

Prof. Francis Beckwith explores the arguments for moral relativism, particularly the argument from disagreement and the argument from tolerance, and offers critiques, emphasizing that disagreement does not necessarily entail relativism and highlighting the common moral ground underlying many disagreements.

This lecture was given on October 9th, 2023, at University of Alabama at Birmingham.

For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events

About the Speaker:

Francis J. Beckwith is Professor of Philosophy & Church-State Studies at Baylor University, where he also serves as Associate Director

of the Graduate Program in Philosophy. Among his over one dozen books are Defending Life: A Moral and Legal Case Against Abortion Choice (Cambridge University Press, 2007), Politics For Christians: Statecraft As Soulcraft (IVP, 2010), and Taking Rites Seriously: Law, Politics, and the Reasonableness of Faith (Cambridge University Press, 2015), winner of the American Academy of Religion's prestigious 2016 Book Award for Excellence in the Study of Religion in Constructive-Reflective Studies. He is a graduate of the Washington University School of Law, St. Louis (MJS) as well as Fordham University (PhD, MA, philosophy).

Keywords: Argument From Disagreement, Argument From Tolerance, Catholic, Ethics, Marriage, Moral Objectivism, Moral Relativism, Natural Law, Plagiarism, Politics

This lecture was given on October 9th, 2023, at University of Alabama at Birmingham.

For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events

About the Speaker:

Francis J. Beckwith is Professor of Philosophy & Church-State Studies at Baylor University, where he also serves as Associate Director

Keywords: Argument From Disagreement, Argument From Tolerance, Catholic, Ethics, Marriage, Moral Objectivism, Moral Relativism, Natural Law, Plagiarism, Politics

Previous Episode

How Should Faithful Catholics Respond To Problems In Magisterial Teaching? | Prof. Michael Sirilla

Prof. Michael Sirilla explains how faithful Catholics should approach problematic magisterial teaching with a disposition of respect while recognizing that, in rare instances, fraternal correction motivated by love is necessary when Church authorities promulgate errors that contradict established doctrine.

This lecture was given on October 17th, 2024, at University of Florida.

For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events

About the Speaker:

Michael Sirilla is a Professor of Dogmatic and Systematic Theology at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he has taught since 2001. His research has focused on ecclesiology and Aquinas’s theology of the episcopacy. Archbishop Augustine Di Noia, OP wrote the foreword for his book, The Ideal Bishop: Aquinas’s Commentaries on the Pastoral Epistles (CUA Press, 2017). His other research interests include natural theology, fundamental theology, and the theology of the Church’s magisterium. He and his wife, Laura, are blessed with nine children and two grandchildren.

Keywords: Catholic Doctrine, Church Authority, Ecclesiology, Fraternal Correction, Galatians, Heresy, Matthew, Papal Authority, St. Paul, St. Peter

Next Episode

Prayer and the Presence of God | Fr. Ambrose Little, O.P.

Fr. Ambrose Little explores the concept of praying always and becoming aware of God's constant presence in our lives, discussing biblical exhortations, patristic interpretations, and four ways God is present to us: by his presence, power, essence, and divine indwelling.

This lecture was given on September 13th, 2024, at Duke University.

For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events

About the Speaker:

Fr. Ambrose Little is the assistant director of the Thomistic Institute He is originally from Connecticut and entered the Dominican Order in 2007 and was ordained a priest in 2013. Before entering the Dominican Order, he graduated from The Catholic University of America with a BA in philosophy. After ordination, he completed a Licentiate in Philosophy at The Catholic University of America and then taught for two years at Providence College. After completing his Ph.D. in philosophy in the summer of 2021, he started teaching at the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception. He specializes in the philosophies of Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas, with an emphasis on their study of nature and the soul. He also studies topics at the intersection between philosophy and science.

Keywords: Anselm Moynihan, St. Augustine, Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, Catholic Spirituality, Divine Presence, Dominican Order, Practice of the Presence of God, Prayer, The Presence of God