Catholic Studies Academy Podcast

Are you confused and frustrated by current cultural trends? You are in good company. America and Europe are experiencing an unprecedented period of self-destruction. What is going on!? This episode is wide-ranging romp through the philosophical flotsam of our current cultural crisis. And we are featuring a new guest: Mr. Whit Smith --- entrepreneur, music producer, and Catholic provocateur. If you want to understand what is going on, this is the podcast for you. Listen, subscribe, and share. Topics include: Postmodernism The Enlightenment Utilitarianism Scientism Covid-19 https://www.patreon.com/user?u=49653668 #postmodernism, #zeitgeist, #hedonism

In this episode of Take Every Thought Captive, Dr. Smith explores the connection between God and politics in the thought of Thomas Aquinas. Specifically, Smith explains the hierarchical connect of God to natural law and law to God. This connection lays the basis for a naturalistic, theistic politics that is also consistent with divine law. If you are interested in the debates about politics and religion this is the episode for you. Please listen, like, and subscribe. Topics include: Law, Authority, and the Common Good Eternal law Natural law Divine law Integralism and the Confessional State

Many Catholics feel like they are constantly under siege from a hostile culture. We seem to lurch from one crisis or controversy to another. Even worse, local churches seem to be in permanent decline. What are the intellectual, cultural, and spiritual reasons for the current state of the church? How should we respond? Dr. Bulzacchelli and Dr. Smith address these questions in this episode of Take Every Thought Captive. A thoughtful and sober discussion. Listen, share, and subscribe. Topics include: Pope Francis Neo-Pelagianism Early Christianity Ancient Philosophy Dionysian hedonism Christian realism Sin, Grace, and Hope **Check out philosophy and theology courses available from Catholic Studies Academy: https://catholicstudiesacademy.com/shop-courses/ ** For more great philosophical content from Dr. Smith subscribe for free to Logosletter2022: https://logosletter2022.substack.com/

In modern political discourse, authoritarianism is often denounced but rarely defined or understood. In this exploratory discussion, Dr. Smith and Dr. Bulzacchelli consider the meaning and possible legitimacy of authoritarianism. The discussion focuses on ideas taken from Plato, including the paradoxical claim that doing whatever you feel like is not really freedom. This exploration pushes the limits of political legitimacy and raises important questions about the limits and meaning freedom, the individual, obedience, and corruptio. Other topics include: Authentic freedom The real good Plato and the rule of wisdom The common good Curfew and Sabbath rest God and the natural law American decline

In this episode of Take Every Thought Captive, Dr. Bulzacchelli interviews Dr. Smith about his recent edition of Logosletter entitled, "Should we Desire Riches: The Forgotten Vice of Greed." This is a wide-ranging and detailed discussion that covers the meaning of ownership, the foundations of private property, and the spiritual effects of a disordered desire for riches. The discussion concludes with ideas about avoiding greed. Following the view of Thomas Aquinas, Dr. Smith argues that an unqualified and limitless is in fact vicious and undermines both the virtue and just community. Topics include: Communism The foundations of private property Comparison of John Locke and Thomas Aquinas Errors regarding property, distribution, and poverty The connection of greed to the other vices Stewardship For more great philosophical content from Dr. Smith check out catholicstudiesacdemy.com and subscribe to Logoletter2022 (it's free).

Why do conservatives revile higher education? Is there any way for conservatives and higher education to reconcile? In this episode of Take Every Thought Captive, Dr. Smith addresses the open hostility between conservatives and higher education. He discusses conservative anti-intellectual attitudes, the "woke left," and the nature of higher education. Along the way Dr. Smith develops an Aristotelian-Thomist argument for the abiding significance of higher education for conservatives. Topics include: The nature of education The importance of higher education Human nature The meaning of conservatism The classical virtue of piety For more great content from Dr. Smith, check out logoletter2022.substack.com. #highereducation, #conservatism, #thewokeleft

In this episode of Take Every Thought Captive, Dr. Bulzacchelli explores the historical origins and major theological themes of Advent and Christmas. The discussion centers on the development of the liturgy and the ways in which these liturgical seasons help us to encounter Christ. The discussion concludes with suggestions for better ways to celebrate these important seasons. Historical origins Liturgical development The intersection of personal devotion and liturgy The eschatological themes of Advent The historical-redemptive significance of Christmas How to get the most out of Advent and Christmas

In this episode of Take Every Thought Captive, Dr. Smith and Dr. Bulzacchelli discuss the recent US elections using the political categories developed by Aristotle, including aristocracy, oligarchy, democracy, republicanism, etc. Dr. Smith defends the view that American politics features a broad middle-class, focused on the household defending itself from domination by oligarchs and revolution and redistribution by the "dispossessed." Topics: What is democracy? How do democracy and oligarchy differ? Why is the middle-class the predominant class in a republic? The distinguishing values of oligarchy, democracy, and republicanism Immigration The future of American politics For more great content from Dr. Smith visit: https://logosletter2022.substack.com/