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The political, theological and legal aspects of libertarianism, a political philosophy that has gained increasing attention in the US, will be in the spotlight at the fourth annual School of Theology and Ministry Dean’s Colloquium on Religion and Public Culture on April 6 in Gasson 100.
Co-sponsored by the Boisi Center for Religion and American Public Life, “Why Libertarianism Isn’t Liberal” is free and open to the public.
Catholic leaders from Pope Francis to Chicago Archbishop Blase Cupich have spoken critically of libertarianism, calling it inconsistent with Catholic social teaching. Archbishop Cupich said the two are “on two distinct trajectories when it comes to the meaning of economic life, and the goal of politics in a world of globalization.” He also expressed concerns about libertarianism’s impact on pastoral life: “[Young people’s] interior life is at risk in a world that encourages them to be caught up in their own interests, leaving no room for others, no place for the poor.”
“In the past few election cycles,” said STM Dean Mark Massa, SJ, “libertarianism has emerged as an issue that has generated a great deal of discussion among religious leaders, political pundits and public intellectuals. The April 6 event will continue that tradition with an array of very smart individuals focused on the issues that surround the libertarian impulse as a religious, political and social stance.”
The colloquium will open at 9:30 a.m. with a keynote address by Alan Ryan, the William H. Bonsall Visiting Professor at Stanford University and a professor of politics at Princeton University, who will address libertarianism as an issue in political philosophy. Ryan is an internationally recognized political theorist and historian of political thought, particularly the development of modern liberalism. He is the author of several books, most recently The Making of Modern Liberalism.
At 1:30 p.m. will be Boisi Center Director Alan Wolfe, professor of political science, the author or editor of more than 20 books including Political Evil: What It Is and How To Combat It, The Future of Liberalism, Does American Democracy Still Work? and Return to Greatness: How America Lost Its Sense of Purpose and What it Needs to Do to Recover It.
The colloquium also will feature two panels. Libby Professor Cathleen Kaveny, who holds a joint appointment in the Theology Department and BC Law School, will convene the morning panel, “Libertarianism, Society and Culture.” Panelists will be: Dana Dillon (Providence College), Mary Jo Iozzio (STM) and Mark Silk (Trinity College).
The afternoon panel on “Libertarianism, Politics and Economics” will be convened by National Catholic Reporter journalist Michael Sean Winters, with Megan Clark (St. John’s University), Stephen F. Schneck (Catholic University of America) and Mary Jo Bane (Harvard University).
For a complete schedule and participant bios, and to register for the colloquium, see http://bit.ly/1Lxyowl.