Catholic Studies Academy
Catholic Studies Academy empowers Catholics to strengthen their faith through the systematic study of philosophy and theology in a flexible and affordable way. Join NowNew Book from Dr. Smith on Politics!
Catholic Studies Academy is excited to announce the publication of Dr. Smith’s new book!
Understanding Modern Political Ideas: A Guidebook for Christians and Other Patriots
Episode 90: The Myth of Self
Episode 90: The Myth of Self In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith discuss the erroneous and modern idea of "self." We cover:- The pervasiveness of "self"- Philosophical foundations- Descartes and Kant- Undefined consciousness- Arguments against the idea of "self" Read...
Episode 89: Divine Providence and the Patience of Martyrs
Episode 89: Divine Providence and the Patience of Martyrs In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith discuss the topic of divine providence in relation to difficult and uncertain times. We cover:- God as First Cause- Summa Prima Pars, Question 22- God in history- The...
The Myth of Self, Part 3: Objections and Resolutions
In previous posts (part 1 and part 2) I have described the modern notion of the “self” and tried to explain its appeal. Modern belief in the self consists in the conviction that the human person is bare consciousness without additional definition — an irreducible...
Episode 88 – Modern Political Ideas in the Light of Christian Faith and Right Reason
Episode 88 - Modern Political Ideas in the Light of Christian Faith and Right Reason In this episode, Dr. Bulzacchelli, Dr. Smith and special guest, Dcn. Bob Gorman, Emeritus Professor of Political Science, discuss Dr. Smith's new book, Understanding Modern Political...
Episode 87: Understanding Modern Political Ideas
Episode 87: Understanding Modern Political Ideas We discuss Dr. Smith's new book! In Understanding Modern Political Ideas, Dr. Benjamin Smith defines and critically evaluates the major political ideologies of the modern period in the light of classical political...
Episode 86: Marxism and the Human Person
Episode 86: Marxism and the Human Person In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith finish their series on Marxism. We cover:- Marx's view of the fulfillment of history- The evolution of conscience- Three critiques of Marxism - Flawed Anthropology- Reduction of the Human...
Episode 85: Marxism, Culture, And Capitalism
Episode 85: Marxism, Culture, And Capitalism In this episode, Jason an Dr. Smith continue their discussion on Marxism. We cover:- Review of Hegel's view history- Marx and culture- The dialectic- Capitalism as a necessary stage- Marx's critique of capitalism- Revolt of...
The Invisible Schism: Part I – Can there be two “Catholicisms” side-by-side?
What if you could get into the minds of a hundred different people to see what they think Catholicism is? I think, if you could, you’d find that few of them really understand the religion the same way. You probably expected me to say that “you’d get a hundred...
Episode 84: Introduction to Marxism
Episode 84: Introduction to Marxism In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith discuss Marxism. We cover:- The resurgence of Marxism- The historical context of Karl Marx- Kant and Idealism- Hegelian view of history- The "Geist"- The materialism of Marxism- Freedom in the...
Episode 83: The Cultivation of Natural Law
Episode 83: The Cultivation of Natural Law In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith continue their discussion of the natural law. We cover:- Natural Law known in degrees- Must be cultivated- Do Good, Avoid Evil- Responsibilities derived from Natural Law- Private Property-...
Episode 82- Written on the Heart: Introduction to Natural Law
Episode 82- Written on the Heart: Introduction to Natural Law In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith discuss natural law. We cover:- Christianity and Natural law- Legacy of natural law- Basic position- Known by all but to different degree- Two Hypothesis and evidence-...
Episode 81 – In the Breach: The Legacy Of Pope St. John Paul II
Episode 81 - In the Breach: The Legacy Of Pope St. John Paul II In this episode, Jason and Dr. Bulzacchelli discuss how Pope St, John Paul II stood in the breach in many different ways. We cover:- The historical context- The breach in philosophical approaches-...
The Myth of Self, Part II
In a previous post I sketched the meaning and uses of the modern idea of the self. One important source of this idea is Rene Descartes. For Descartes, the ideas of the self emerges from his application of critical, methodical doubt to his own experience. The upshot of...
Episode 80 – Modern Philosophy: David Hume
Episode 80 - Modern Philosophy: David Hume In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith discuss the ideas ad influence of David Hume. We cover:- The period of Modern Philosophy- Who was David Hume- The influence of Hume on other philosophers- Newton and Hume- Hume's...
Episode 79 – Modern Philosophy: Science, Reason, and Autonomy
Episode 79 - Modern Philosophy: Science, Reason, and Autonomy In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith discuss his new course on Modern Philosophy. We cover:- Time period- What led to 'modern' philosophy- Historical context- Effects of Scientific Revolution- Man's ability...
The Myth of Self
In a previous post I discussed the importance of Rene Descartes in shaping modern philosophy and much of the modern world. This is evident from two of his most important ideas: (a) the endorsement of radical doubt and (b) the conception of the self. I have already...
Episode 78: The Principle of Double Effect
Episode 78: The Principle of Double Effect In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith discuss the intricacies of the Principle of Double Effect. We cover: - Review of the sources of morality- The 4 rules of the Principle of Double Effect- Independent consequences and...
Episode 77: The Morality of Human Actions
Episode 77: The Morality of Human Actions In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith discuss the judgment of human actions according to St. Thomas. We cover:- Human actions vs Acts of man- The contribution of St.Thomas- Proximate end- The sources of morality- Everything...
