Transcendence and Human Freedom: Modernity and the Right to Truth

Abstract

reviewing the notion of the human person found in the modern liberal tradition, this essay seeks to give an account of the possible tensions between modern liberal political life and human fulfillment as understood in Catholic tradition. Resolving any such tensions would require showing that the philosophical underpinnings of modern liberalism are compatible with man's "transcendent dignity" to pursue and live the Truth. By way of conclusion, the Church's rapprochement with modern liberalism is discussed in light of Benedict XVI's comments on and praise of American civil life made during his recent visit to the U.S. While recent years have witnessed increasing criticism of the extent to which modern liberalism as a social and political project has lived up to its aspirations to secure personal freedom, the modern impetus to use human, civil, or natural rights as a bulwark against the encroachment of the state remains a dominant feature of contemporary discourse. Despite the criticism, then, that aspect of the modern political tradition that grounds the emergence of civil community in an account of those rights that the state exists to protect remains strong. In light of modernity's emphasis on rights, as well as the contemporary "rights talk" that dictates social and political policy, the question of the extent to which modern liberalism is amenable to an understanding of the human good in terms of such transcendent aims as Truth or God must be answered by analyzing the nature of these rights and the concept of the human person presupposed by such discourse. By reviewing the notion of the human person found in the modern liberal tradition, this essay seeks to give an account of the possible tensions between modern liberal political life and human fulfillment as understood in Catholic tradition. 1 Elsewhere, I have argued both against the position that modern liberalism rests on an Augustinian foundation and for a possible development of "Augustinian liberalism"; in this article I develop these claims by attempting to trace the historical relationship between medieval Catholic political thought and the rise of modern liberalism. 2 I conclude by discussing the Church's rapprochement with modern liberalism in light of Benedict XVI's comments on-and praise of-American civil life made during his recent visit to the United States.