This fall, the Maritain Institute is pleased once again to sponsor a discussion group, the “Cercle d'études.” This title is meant to evoke a long-running discussion group hosted by the great 20th century Catholic thinkers Jacques and Raissa Maritain, devoted to open-ended explorations of vital philosophical, theological, and social issues. In that spirit, this discussion group will offer students a weekly opportunity to engage one another and faculty speakers on specific questions of deep interest.
Register for the course (PHIL 33799) or just drop by to join the discussion! Snacks provided. Please reach out to Beth Muench with any questions: espesia@nd.edu.
September 2: Professor Therese Cory
"Aquinas and the Right to Participate in Community"
Abstract: "In his account of human nature, Aquinas stresses the natural necessity of community for human life. I argue that this natural necessity of community for humans grounds a fundamental natural right to participate in community, which flows from the right to life. Given Aquinas's view of the role of political leadership within a community, the natural right to participate in community is not opposed to appropriate regulation. However, such regulation has to be understood as parallel to the regulation of exercise of other natural rights, such as marriage. Obviously, this view has important implications for a natural law perspective on immigration."
