Query:
You’ve written and taught about moral prohibitions which have no exceptions. Thomas Aquinas gives as an example the prohibition of lying. Aristotle would never deny that someone has the right to lie to his enemies, but as you explain, Aquinas holds that lying is always immoral.
Conversation between me and Philip Davies of the U.K. podcast Amazing Academics about staying sane in a world gone mad.
Query:
If legislators and judges all accepted the philosophical theory of determinism, what would be the effect on criminal sentencing? I haven’t found any clear consensus. Since the subject is heavily debated, could you tell me your view on the philosophical principles which guide or ought to guide legislators and judges?
Kerbey Anderson of the podcast Point of View chats with me about Pandemic of Lunacy.
The Church believes that because Holy Scripture is inspired by God, its authentic teachings cannot contain any real contradictions. It follows that apparent contradictions have to be harmonized. This interpretive principle is called Continuity.
Mark Bauerlein’s interview with me on the First Things podcast Conversations, May, 2026.