About this episode

The episode discusses the role of government in legislating morality and explores the principles of the United States Constitution and the natural rights theory of the American Founding.

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss whether or not the government should legislate morality before introducing Thomas West.  The United States Constitution was designed to secure the natural rights proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence. Signed by Constitutional Convention delegates on September 17, 1787—Constitution Day—it was ratified by the American people and remains the most enduring and successful constitution in history.  In this twelve-lecture course, students will examine the political theory of the American Founding and subsequent challenges to that theory throughout American history. Topics covered in this course include: the natural rights theory of the Founding, the meaning of the Declaration and the Constitution, the crisis of the Civil War, the Progressive rejection of the Founding, and the nature and form of modern liberalism. While the first purpose of government is to protect citizens from foreign and domestic threats, it must also undertake other essential actions in order to secure natural rights. These include the protection of property rights, the defense of religious…

People in this episode

Hosts: Jeremiah, Juan

Guest: Thomas West

Topics covered

• government
• morality
• natural rights
• American Founding
• Constitution
• religious liberty
• political theory

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Hillsdale College

Books & works: United States Constitution, Declaration of Independence

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