Just Curious

The Philosopher and the Pontiff

Benedict XVI was a celebrated theologian and philosopher prior to his ascension to the throne of St. Peter. Having taught on the philosophy faculties of a number of major German universities, it shouldn't come as a surprise to us that he's very well acquainted with some of the leading European philosophers of our day. What does come as a pleasant surprise though, is his ability to enlist Jurgen Habermas as a philosophic ally in his good fight against ethical relativism.

Habermas, of course, is the scion of the Frankfurt School; the leading Critical Theorist of our day and one of the major Neo-Marxian philosophers in the world. According to the links below, he's in substantial agreement with the Pope on the erosive effect of moral and cultural relativism and the nihilism caused by modern liberalism. This doesn't come as a surprise to me either, since true Progressivism necessarily reject relativism on the metaphysical level and embrace more of a deontological framework. I'm very glad that these people are able to tear down the veil of "phraseology" and "terminology" that have long prevented them from recognizing each other as who they are, and from forming a powerful alliance against their common opponent, the wishy-washy heart-bleeding moral relativist type......

http://www.cathnews.com/news/411/131.php

http://gonsalves.org/favorite/Habermas/habermas.htm

posted by James Chang @ 1:14 PM