Acton Line

Latest Episodes:

“The Essential Natural Law” with Samuel Gregg Mar 09, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, Dan Hugger sits down with Acton’s director of research, Samuel Gregg, to discuss his new book, “The Essential Natural Law.” They explore the fundamental principles of natural law and their place in Western thought and tradition.

How does natural law deepen our understanding of economics, justice, human rights, private property, and the rule of law? Is our path to increased human flourishing contingent on the principles of natural law being applied?

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About Sam Gregg

Fraser Institute

“The Essential Natural Law”

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The Overton Window with Joseph Lehman Mar 02, 2022

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In this episode, Eric Kohn, Acton’s director of communications, sits down with Joseph Lehman, president of the Mackinac Center, to discuss the “Overton Window” and the influence it continues to play in politics. How can we use it to understand changing ideas in our culture and the marketplace?

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Joseph G. Lehman, President of the Mackinac Center

Mackinac Center for Public Policy

The Overton Window | Mackinac Center

The Overton Window: The Most Misunderstood Concept in Politics | The Daily Wire

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How Christian fiction shaped a culture and a faith Feb 23, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, Dan Hugger sits with Daniel Silliman, journalist and news editor for Christianity Today, to discuss his new book, "Reading Evangelicals: How Christian Fiction Shaped a Culture and a Faith." Silliman argues that the formation of evangelical identity does not stem from institutions or political stances but from Christian fiction and Christian publishing in general. In light of this, he explores the questions, what is evangelicalism, and what is evangelical subculture?

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About Daniel Silliman

What's True About Christian Fiction | Christianity Today

Reading Evangelicals: How Christian Fiction Shaped a Culture and a Faith | Daniel Silliman

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Why virtue matters in the trades Feb 16, 2022

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In this episode, Sarah Negri, research project coordinator at the Acton Institute, sits down with David Michael Phelps, dean and director of program development at Harmel Academy of the Trades, to discuss the dignity of human work and how it is tied to our freedom to create value in the world and its connection to virtue. Why is formation in virtue important for skilled laborers? Who was Léon Harmel, and what was his impact on Catholic social teaching?

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Laborem Exercens, encyclical by John Paul II

Rerum Novarum, encyclical by Leo XIII

The Love of Learning and the Desire for God: A Study of Monastic Culture by Fr. Jean Leclercq, O.S.B.

The Master and His Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World by Iain McGilchrist

Shop Class as Soulcraft: An Inquiry into the Value of Work by Matthew Crawford

The World Beyond Your Head: On Becoming an Individual in an Age of Distraction by Matthew Crawford

Harmel Academy of the Trades

Léon Harmel: Pioneer of the Just Wage

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Pano Kanelos on the University of Austin Feb 09, 2022

Show notes

Since its announcement in November, media buzz has surrounded the University of Austin in Texas (UATX), newly founded to push back against a growing illiberal tide of “wokeness” and “cancel culture” in higher education. According to its website, UATX is “dedicated to the fearless pursuit of truth” and seeks to promote freedom of inquiry and ideological independence.

Today on Acton Line, Dylan Pahman interviews Dr. Pano Kanelos, president of UATX, to dig deeper than the social media hot takes to discover the truth of what UATX is really all about.

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The University of Austin

About Dr. Pano Kanelos

The University of Austin is scaring all the right people

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In their own words Feb 02, 2022

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In a conversation with Acton’s librarian and research associate Dan Hugger, the Honorable Mark T. Boonstra, author of “In Their Own Words,” presents powerful insights into the minds of our Founding Fathers on the subject of religion.

It’s clear now more than ever that our country is no longer the one inhabited by our Founding Fathers. Boonstra claims that we have essentially lost our relationship to God. According to our country’s sacred documents, we were established as one nation under God, our rights were given by God, we appealed to God for protection, and freedom to worship God was a primary concern. Things are a bit different now.

In his book, Boonstra brings to light what our Founding Fathers truly believed about America as a nation united under God.

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Buy the Books — “In Their Own Words”

About Mark T. Boonstra

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You are not your own Jan 26, 2022

Show notes

In a conversation with Dan Churchwell, Acton’s director of program outreach, Alan Noble, author of "You Are Not Your Own: Belonging to God in an Inhuman World," presents powerful insights into the anxiety and unease many feel today. He describes how a single line from the Heidelberg Catechism reframes our identity and helps us better understand ourselves, our families, our society, and our God.

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Use code aipod22 to get 30% off the book

Details about the book

Excerpt

About Alan Noble

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Mission and core principles of the Acton Institute, Part Two Jan 19, 2022

Show notes

As we continue the conversation from our last episode, Dan Hugger and Dylan Pahman move the discussion forward on the Acton Institute’s vision for a free and virtuous society. We examine the Institute’s 10 core principles, which serve as the bedrock of who we are and what we do—namely, we seek to integrate religious truths (virtue) with free market principles (sound economics).

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About Dan Hugger

About Dylan Pahman

Our Mission & Core Principles

Lord Acton's philosophy should guide our next two centuries

Foundations of a Free & Virtuous Society — Acton Bookshop

A Legacy of Liberty — Acton Bookshop

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Mission and core principles of the Acton Institute, Part One Jan 12, 2022

Show notes

As we enter into this new year, we reflect on the Acton Institute’s vision for a free and virtuous society. In this episode of Acton Line, Acton’s librarian and research associate, Dan Hugger, sits with Dylan Pahman, research fellow and executive editor of Acton’s Journal of Markets and Morality, to discuss the Institute’s mission and core principles. This is part one of a two-part series.

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About Dan Hugger

About Dylan Pahman

Our Mission & Core Principles

Lord Acton's philosophy should guide our next two centuries

Foundations of a Free & Virtuous Society — Acton Bookshop

A Legacy of Liberty — Acton Bookshop

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Acton's new president and a vision of 2022 and beyond Jan 05, 2022

Show notes

In November of 2021, Fr. Robert A. Sirico passed the torch of the presidency of the Acton Institute to Acton co-founder Kris Mauren. In this episode, Eric Kohn sits down with Mauren to discuss Acton’s vision for a free and virtuous society in 2022 and beyond.

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About Kris Mauren

Acton Institute

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