The Ateneo de Davao University’s Internationalization for Mindanao Office, in partnership with the Theology and Philosophy Departments, featured the D’Arcy Lectures of Campion Hall, University of Oxford, in an international learning session with Fr. Patrick Riordan, S.J., Senior Fellow for Political Philosophy and Catholic Social Thought in the Campion Hall, University of Oxford.
The D’Arcy Lectures explore the concept of Common Good through the three lenses of Aristotle’s philosophy, Catholic teaching, and contemporary political liberalism: “Is Liberalism the Enemy?” (featured on 28 May 2021) and “Is the Church Paternalistic in Prescribing the Common Good?” (on 11 June 2021). The first session explores how many contemporary appeals to the common good are couched within the critique of liberalism in political thought and neoliberalism in economics. Situating the common good in opposition to liberalism is in danger of misunderstanding the concept and its theological usage. This lecture challenges the supposed polarisation and argues that liberal principles can be defended in terms of common goods.
The second session, meanwhile, discusses how 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. The ILS, therefore, asks: 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, the distinction of types of goods, and the limits of permissibility in caring for others’ wellbeing.