My Review of Rod Dreher’s Living in Wonder

November 18, 2024 By Francis J. Beckwith

In the November 2024 issue of World Magazine is my review of Rod Dreher’s new book, Living In Wonder: Finding Mystery and Meaning in a Secular Age (Zondervan, 2024). Entitled “Disenchantment and Truth,” here’s how the review begins: “Like all dreamers, I confused disenchantment with truth.” Those pithy words, penned by the existentialist philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, encapsulate the plight of the modern West. It’s this plight that writer and journalist Rod Dreher confronts in his latest book, Living in Wonder: Finding... Read more

New book: A Catholic Engagement with Latter-Day Saints

October 1, 2024 By Francis J. Beckwith

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I am pleased to announce the publication of my new book, A Catholic Engagement with Latter-Day Saints. Co-edited with my dear friend, Utah State University philosopher and Catholic convert, Richard Sherlock, the book is set for release by Ignatius Press on November 30, 2024. Among the other contributors are Rachel Lu, Alexander Pruss, Matthew Levering, and Brad S. Gregory. Here is the description of the book from the Ignatius website, followed by the Table of Contents: A collection of... Read more

Did ChatGPT concede that there exists a First Cause?

July 11, 2024 By Francis J. Beckwith

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In a 2002 debate book he did with J. J. Smart–Atheism and Theism—the Scottish philosopher John Haldane offers a First Cause argument for God’s existence. It is not a First Cause argument based on the impossibility of an infinite past series of events–like the Kalam Cosmological Argument–but one that makes a case for a First Cause of everything whose existence depends on another in the here and now even if the universe had always existed. It is an argument within... Read more

Walker Percy’s 1981 NY Times Op-Ed on Abortion

July 7, 2024 By Francis J. Beckwith

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While working on the revised edition of my 2007 book, Defending Life, I came across a June 8, 1981 New York Times opinion piece written by the great Catholic novelist Walker Percy. Entitled “A View of Abortion, With Something to Offend Everybody,” I publish it here in its entirety (with a spelling correction): I feel like saying something about this abortion issue. My credentials as an expert on the subject: None. I am an M.D. and a novelist. I will... Read more

Scientists discover animals sentient; Aquinas knew already

April 20, 2024 By Francis J. Beckwith

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From an article entitled, ” Scientists push new paradigm of animal consciousness, saying even insects may be sentient:” Nearly 40 researchers signed “The New York Declaration on Animal Consciousness,” which was first presented at a conference at New York University on Friday morning. It marks a pivotal moment, as a flood of research on animal cognition collides with debates over how various species ought to be treated. The declaration says there is “strong scientific support” that birds and mammals have... Read more

Letter to incoming students from Stanford prez & provost

April 18, 2024 By Francis J. Beckwith

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Just saw this over at the Volokh Conspiracy: Dear XXX, Congratulations on earning a place in Stanford University’s Class of 2028! This is a moment to celebrate the hard work and determination that have brought you to this moment, and also to reflect on the next stage of your education. Amid all the challenging and polarizing issues being discussed in the world right now, you may be wondering what kind of intellectual community you would be joining at Stanford. And... Read more

Never Doubt Thomas focus of CRCD’s Reading Wheel Review.

March 31, 2024 By Francis J. Beckwith

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What an honor it is to have my book, Never Doubt Thomas: The Catholic Aquinas as Protestant and Evangelical (Baylor University Press), singled out by the Center for Religion, Culture, and Democracy (CRDC) as a Significant Book in its Reading Wheel Review. The issue devoted to my book consists of A podcast interview of me by First Liberty Institute attorney, Trey Dimsdale. An related essay authored by Elizabeth Rain Kincaid, the Legendre-Soulé Chair in Business Ethics & Director of the... Read more

What’s Wrong with Moral Relativism?

March 2, 2024 By Francis J. Beckwith

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I’m a regular speaker for the Thomistic Institute, an academic institute of the Pontifical Faculty of the Dominican House of Studies (DHS) in Washington, D.C. According to its website, “The Thomistic Institute exists to promote Catholic truth in our contemporary world by strengthening the intellectual formation of Christians at universities, in the Church, and in the wider public square. The thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, the Universal Doctor of the Church, is our touchstone.” There are nearly 90 TI... Read more

Interview on Word on Fire’s Evangelization & Culture Podcast

January 30, 2024 By Francis J. Beckwith

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I’m happy to report that I was recently a guest on the Word on Fire’s Evangelization and Culture podcast, hosted by Dr. Tod Worner. About a week ago the interview was released on Youtube. The topic of our discussion was my recent article, “Re-Version,” published in Word on Fire’s journal, Evangelization and Culture. (You can read more about my article here). Read more