Bishop Baron discusses the Catholic understanding of freedom, contrasting it with modern interpretations. He emphasizes that true freedom is not about doing whatever we want, but about pursuing the good and aligning our desires with God's will. This blog explores the historical evolution of freedom, the impact of volunteerism, and the importance of moral order in achieving true liberty.
Many people equate freedom with the ability to do whatever we want. However, the Catholic understanding of freedom presents a radically different view. In a recent discussion, Bishop Baron articulates this perspective to Michael Knowles, revealing insights that may surprise many.
Bishop Baron begins by tracing the Catholic understanding of freedom back to its roots in social teaching, medieval doctrines, and biblical scripture. He contrasts this with a libertarian view of freedom, which suggests that liberty equates to doing whatever one desires. Instead, he argues that true freedom involves a disciplining of desire to enable the pursuit of the good.
This notion aligns with the teachings of Pope John Paul II, who emphasized that liberty is not merely the ability to do as we wish, but rather the right to do what we ought. Lord Acton famously summarized this view, stating that liberty is not the ability to do what we wish but the right to do what we ought. This understanding of liberty has historical roots in classical political philosophy and has been echoed by various thinkers throughout history, including the founding fathers of the United States.
Bishop Baron highlights that the founding documents of the United States, such as the Rhode Island charter of 1666 and the New York State Constitution of 1777, explicitly state that citizens cannot abuse their liberty. This moral structure to freedom has been largely overlooked in contemporary discussions.
Since the 1960s, there has been a significant shift in the understanding of freedom, leading to a view that disconnects liberty from moral order. This shift has resulted in a radical interpretation of freedom, where individuals believe they can define their own reality, even to the extent of claiming the freedom to fly by flapping their wings.
Catholicism teaches that freedom is not chaos but rather ordered love. This concept is deeply embedded in the Christian tradition. For instance, Dante's Divine Comedy illustrates that true freedom is not found in indulging every impulse but in aligning our loves toward God. The souls in the Purgatorio are not punished but healed, as their disordered desires are purified, allowing them to love rightly.
The biblical narrative further supports this understanding. The story of Exodus exemplifies that God's act of liberation was not merely about escape but about purpose. When God commands Pharaoh to let His people go, it is so they may worship Him. Thus, Israel's freedom is fulfilled not in wandering but in obedience and love, which gives their freedom meaning.
As centuries passed, the ancient understanding of freedom began to erode. Philosophers and theologians redefined freedom, leading to a shift in the moral landscape of Western civilization. Bishop Baron and Michael Knowles discuss how volunteerism—the idea that freedom is merely the power to choose—has reshaped contemporary thought.
Bishop Baron traces the roots of volunteerism back to thinkers like Duns Scotus and William of Ockham, who emphasized self-determination. This perspective diverged from Aquinas's view, which saw freedom as aligned with reason and truth. The shift towards a more arbitrary understanding of freedom has led to a disconnection from communal values and the common good.
The Protestant Reformation further entrenched this volunteeristic mindset. Reformers like John Calvin emphasized God's absolute sovereignty, suggesting that human beings had no real freedom to cooperate with grace. This led to a view of humanity as passive recipients of God's will, detaching freedom from truth and fostering a radical individualism that dominates modern thought.
Bishop Baron warns that when freedom loses its anchor in truth, it collapses in on itself, leading to a dissolution of the body politic. This radical individualism, characterized by the mantra of "my will, my truth," is a distortion of the true meaning of freedom.
Returning to the core of Catholic teaching, true freedom is not about doing whatever we want but about becoming who we are created to be. As St. Thomas Aquinas articulated, God wills things because they are good, rather than things being good simply because God wills them. This encapsulates the unity of reason and will, intertwining truth and love.
In conclusion, real freedom is found not in self-expression but in self-giving—learning to will what God wills. This understanding of freedom as a moral and communal endeavor is essential for navigating the complexities of modern life. Bishop Baron's insights remind us that true liberty is about aligning our desires with the good, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and meaningful existence.
