Dr. Schmitz is speaking now and then Fr. Schall will be responding. So far, very good.
W. | Homepage | 03.28.08 - 9:10 am | #

Dr. Schmitz's talk was good. Very metaphysical and, for some, difficult to comprehend. He laid some foundations for ethical and cultural considerations of a common morality. Interestingly, he ended with a segue into cult and religious worship as culminations of morality. It was very good especially for those who enjoy metaphysics.

During the response from Schall, Solomon, and Wagner, Solomon made the point of differing with the subtitle of the conference. The conference is titled "A Common Morality for the Golden Age: In Gratitude for What We Are Given." Solomon offered an alternative sub-title in light of the challenges that face us: "In Sorrow for What Has Been Lost." This received a lot of laughter as well as a comment from Wagner. Wagner pointed out that the last word of his prepared response is "Lamentation."

Wagner drew on Spes Salvi 36 (?) and Benedict's discussion of our finitude and the resulting suffering. This is something that needs more elaboration. In time, I think.
W. | Homepage | 03.28.08 - 11:17 am | #

For those who cannot make it here but want to watch, CUA is livestreaming the event. Saturday's talks can be watched live at http://digitalmedia.cua.edu//cal....cfm? event=4033.

Enjoy. This morning looks to be very good: Thomas Hibbs and Robert George.

And for a calendar of all the symposium's archived talks, go here: http://digitalmedia.cua.edu//cal...nth=3& year=2008
W. | Homepage | 03.29.08 - 9:30 am | #

For those still coming back to this post, I strongly recommend two things:

1. Watch the live feeds or archives of Saturday's morning sessions (Hibb, George, Arkes, and respondants) and afternoon session (Lewis and Porter and respondants). They were great and offered much for continued consideration and even debate.

Which leads me to point #2: Consider then-Cardinal Ratzinger's proposal to discuss the possibility of a common morality. Is it possible? What would/does it look like? And so on.

Perhaps we blogosphere folks can continue what was started with Ratzinger's invite and CUA's symposium. Perhaps we can create a blog home for discussing and debating the possibilities of a common morality and its consequences. I think I will.
W. | Homepage | 03.29.08 - 4:50 pm | #