From a reader….
QUAERITUR:
Is there anyone I can read about being Catholic and Libertarian?
Is it possible ?
With the power the secular state is allowed I find my inclination is to be as libertarian as possible without being immoral.
You are clearly thoughtful and trying to align yourself properly with a few to your Catholic Faith.
My short answer to your question is: It depends on what someone means by “libertarian.”
Firstly, beware of anything, any comment or definition from Left, as for example from “Madame Defarge” of the Fishwrap, about “libertarian”. Everything they say about Catholic and Libertarian is, as the saying goes, a lie, including “and” and “the”.
Let’s make rapid distinctions which I think will resolve your question.
1) If it means atheism, philosophical hedonism, government being morally neutral about everything, etc., then the answer is no.
2) If it means limited government, a strong civil society, rule of law, strong private property rights, and a market economy, then the answer might be yes, though I’d use phrases like “classical liberal” or “limited government conservative.”
The issue with most forms of libertarianism is the philosophical premises: for the most part, libertarian philosophers (though not all) don’t believe in natural law and adhere to social contract theory, evolutionary morality, act- or rule-utilitarianism, philosophical hedonism etc., and these positions clearly aren’t compatible with Catholicism.
What to read? Longer answer?
This is really good.
