Ideas Have Consequences: The Philosophers Who Shaped 2020

Friends, I recently addressed the Knights of Malta about this convulsive time in our national history, demonstrated by the global pandemic, unstable politics, and outbursts of violence. But not many people understand the ideologies that stand behind the rioting and deep unrest that we see on our city streets. What I do in this brief presentation is to step back a bit from current events and explore four thinkers who have had a profound impact in shaping the world that we are confronting: Karl Marx, Friedrich Nietzsche, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Michel Foucault. Once we understand some of their most basic ideas, we will recognize their influence everywhere today.

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[Younesbenamara]

I am Muslim but I see you have a lot of wisdom in your words and teachings. No wonder a lot of people admire you. They should. I first know you from your interview with Peterson it was an epic one. Keep up. You educate millions of people with your knowledge and I think you are very good ambassador of your religion.

[JulesFaraday]

Notable timestamps from the video:
Karl Marx
1:45- Introduction
6:45- Religion, Military, Government as a "super-structure"
8:52- The Point of the Marxist intellectual is to expose the super-structure
9:20- A Marxist reading of the Wizard of Oz
10:18- The antagonism between "Oppressor and Oppressed"

Friedrich Nietzsche
(Also Feuerbach influenced)
11:05- Introduction
13:18 - Neetch wrote very "aphoristically" like Blaise Pascal
13:42- Neetch's famous "The Death of God" and its implications
16:18- The "Will to Power" and "slave morality"
17:51- The Ubermensch (The Overman)

Jean Paul Sartre
18:39- Introduction
19:20- Short biography
21:00- Understanding Sartre's thought and "Existence precedes Essence"
23:00- Practical application of "Existence precedes Essence" in common thought
24:52- Being and nothingness, Sartre's primary big book and self-assertion (Don't tell me how to live my life)
26:47- Sartre's pithy and ridiculous argument against God

Michel Foucault
28:09- Introduction
30:18- "The Archaeology of Knowledge"
32:24- Rejection of Objective Truth, Deconstructionism, Elitist power and language
36:00- To uncover how the "modes of discourse" work and Marxist "Oppressor vs Oppressed" world-view

Conclusion
37:10- How do these 4 thinkers influence contemporary conversation and activity. Ideas have consequences.
38:20- Summary of all the four thinkers
38:53- Role of the Marxist thinker is violence and exposing "oppression"
40:11- Nietzsche and the rejection of God and Objective truth & moral values. Movies as evidence of cultural direction.
41:47- Sartre and the culture of "self-invention" and the thought of young people. The shape of Water film an example of this.
45:00- Foucault's fusion of Marxist antagonism and Will to Power and the controlling of language
47:00 Conclusion. The Church against these antagonistic social theories.

- These Philosophers are all Atheists and anti-god.

[tamarawinget]

I was driven to these philosophers in the 90’s as a reaction to the brutal algorithms of a manipulative “Christian” environment. The “truths” that resonated so strongly with my experience drove me to anger, despondency, and suicidal adaptations. But I’ve never fully appreciated the miraculous effects of His grace in my life and how I engage now with the heavy fruit of existential chaos until you gave this summation so beautifully. I am deeply grateful. My prayers are with you. 🙏

[keviness]

Bishop, I’ve watched a lot of your videos over the last six months since my reversion to theism, and I really do think this might be your best video yet. I doubt you’re scanning comments on your videos, especially ones from three months ago, but man. My recommendation is that we need more of these! We live in such a philosophically devoid culture nowadays. I think lectures like this are the key to showing agnostics on the fence that the Church has its own heavy philosophical merits that the modern world seems to have forgotten.

[dianegruenwald]

I'm 72, living in Canada, and feel I have listened to the most illuminating lecture in my life! Thank you, Bishop Barron, for your passionate analyses of these philosophies and their roots in our world today.

[oldschoolsaint]

This may be your best piece of work to date on social media Bishop Barron. It really blew me away. So clear. So well presented. So relevant. So important that we understand where we're headed and why we're headed there. Hopefully, it provides some of the ammunition we'll need to win the war we're engaged in. Thank you Bishop Barron. More bread please.

[kathyweaver]

Thank you Bishop Barron. Every point hit home for me. I try so hard but seems I always fail. I’m taking care of my sick (73) husband. I also watch overnight 3-4 times a week my 21 month old great grand baby. I do love my husband and my baby, but sometimes I feel like I’m going in circles. And all this political unrest in a country I grew up secure in. I’m 67 and am so afraid it will all be gone. Your words give me hope for myself. I can only let God do his job is for me to let Him. This advent I’m starting my Bible study again and going to say the Rosary more. So thank you from my heart and my soul. God Bless you.

[MikeG]

I've been an avid follower of Bishop Barron's work for the last decade. This is, without a doubt, the most important thing he has done, bar none.

[gvoehl]

This talk also speaks indirectly to the problem with the modern self-help movement: It is most often too self-centered.

[brendanphelan]

Bishop Barron is such an incredible mind and genuine soul. This was such an informative lecture! We live in such an amazing time! For all of the detrimental effects of the internet and social media, these platforms have enabled everyone to be able to hear from people like Bishop Barron in a personal way. What a blessing! God bless Bishop Barron and God bless all of you listening! It is truly amazing to be a Catholic in today's world!

[Thomas-dwnb]

I have confidence in saying that I can speak for most Christians/Catholics when I say this was long awaited, very needed, somewhat overdue and extraordinarily refreshing. Thank you Bishop Barron. I am eager to hear your full ecclesial response.

[kathleenherighty]

Sometimes I listen to your reflections and spend the rest of the day thinking about your words. I feel like I am growing in many ways. Thank you so much. God bless you always.

[tinarozic]

God Bless you Bishop!❤️

I am beyond thankful for the clarity you bring to my mind in these modern times.

[jonathanbourke]

One of the most fantastic philosophical explanations of modern social issues today. Bravo, Father!

[vkorchnoifan]

The best lecture I ever heard. I have listen to intellectuals for 50 years. The clarity and comprehensiveness of this lecture is the best I have ever heard. The perspective is quite valuable if want to know what is happening now.. Ideas have consequences !!!!

[professedlife]

This is a great explanation of so much of what we are seeing today. I will be borrowing some of it, especially Sartre and the Culture of Self Invention, for use in teaching my psychology courses.

[highvibes]

This Brother is on another level of true Thank

[trash]

By far this is the most revealing video I have ever seen when it comes to modern society. Tremendously inspiring. Thank you very much Bishop Barron.

[truthbetoldtoday]

I found this talk absolutely fascinating and helpful. Thank you for your wonderful ministry. As Christians we have an important responsibility to equip ourselves to engage our neighbour. Not an easy task. I would love to hear your follow-up thoughts and ideas.

[mountainhealer]

Please, please Bishop Barron share with us a part 2!!! You set us up beautifully at the end summation of your talk! Thank you and God Bless you Bishop Barron!