Yves R. Simon and contemporary catholic neoconservatism

Michael Novak, Richard John Neuhaus, and George Weigel have arisen as the central theorist's of a Catholic neoconservatism that attempts to bridge the gap between die Catholic and Hberal traditions of social thought This dissertation evaluates their work through a systematic comparison with the work of Yves R. Simon. Systematic Q^atinent is given to the neoconservatives' tieatment of the political, economic, and moral-cultural systems. A separate chapter deals widi practical reason. Central theoretical concepts tieated are practical wisdom, the common good, authority, freedom, and equality. The dissertation argues that the neoconservatives have cogentiy argued the case for democratic capitalism with respect to markets, pluralism, the principle of subsidiarity, and the need to revive the notion of practical wisdom. However, the comparison with Simon also reveals serious shortcomings. First, the neoconservatives tend to reduce prudence and virtue generally to the behavioral requirements of what they call the democratic capitalist society. Second, their positions are not compatible with the Catholic tradition's commitments to the common good and the necessary role of political authority to formulate policies expressing the requirements of the common good considered materially. Third, their romanticized understanding of capitalism bypasses many problems of the contemporary market economy. Fourth, the concept of freedom which they defend is insufficient to forestall the nihilistic threat they themselves fear. In each case, the comparison with Simon serves to highlight the philosophical flaws in their arguments.