Articles tagged as moral philosophy
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“Moral Constitutionalism”– Gerry Bradley in First Things
In an essay for the print edition of First Things, JWI Senior Scholar and Trustee Gerry Bradley argues that the dominant form of originalism has failed conservatives time and time again in matters of moral consequence, and a reassessment of it is in order. Originalism, he writes, does indeed remain the correct way of deciding […] -
“Civic Virtue as Moral Facts: Recovering the Other Half of Our Founding” – Professor Daniel Mahoney in RealClearPublicAffairs
In an essay for Real Clear Public Affairs, Professor Daniel Mahoney of Assumption University argues that the American Founding presupposed a belief in moral facts and the immutability of human nature. The Founding Fathers, and the American people more broadly, understood that society required a strong moral foundation. They knew that self-government required a virtuous […] -
“Ballast on the Ship of State: Statesmanship as Human Excellence” – Professor Daniel Mahoney in Modern Age
In an essay for Modern Age, Professor Daniel Mahoney of Assumption University demonstrates that true statesmanship consists in moral excellence and self-control. He argues against moral relativism, as well as the Machiavellian view of politics that sees a desire to acquire and wield power as man’s sole political motivator. Mahoney acknowledges that pacifism is not […] -
“Signs of Mind”: Professor Hadley Arkes in The Catholic Thing
In his column for The Catholic Thing, Professor Arkes reflects on the various experiences that lead one to a realization of the existence of God. Universal truths, for example, and the argument from causality both suggest the presence of a higher power. If, for instance, a scientist discovers some principle that is universal, we must wonder […] -
“On the First Principles of Moral Reason”: Paul DeHart in Public Discourse
In an essay for Public Discourse, James Wilson Institute friend Prof. Paul DeHart continues his interaction with Prof. F.H. Buckley’s criticism of natural law reasoning. In an article for Law & Liberty, Prof. Buckley argued that “natural lawyers” fall victim to the “is-ought” problem pointed out by British skeptic David Hume – you cannot derive […] -
“Natural Law and Democracy: The Philosophy of James Wilson” — Professor Roberta Bayer
Prof. Roberta Bayer offers an excellent summary of James Wilson’s views on where democracy’s legitimacy comes from in a piece at the Library of Law and Liberty. Wilson believed that democracy was premised on a capacity to have a knowledge of justice. This knowledge of justice was found through reason and conscience, both of which […]