Is the Church Paternalistic in Prescribing the Common Good?

The sixth lecture in The D'Arcy Lectures 2021 series, delivered by Revd Dr Patrick Riordan, Senior Fellow in Political Philosophy and Catholic Social Thought.

Pope Francis challenges politicians to care for the earth and care for the poor. The Vatican Council dares to tell the state what its purpose is. Do Church authorities infringe on the autonomy of civil authorities in doing so? Is the Church in danger of ‘imposing’ its view of the good on others? This lecture considers issues of solidarity, knowledge of others’ interests, distinction of types of goods, and the limits of permissibility in caring for others’ wellbeing.

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