Building Worldviews

This is the first episode of a three-part conversation with Erika Bachiochi. Erika discusses her personal history and her intellectual journey through the political spectrum. She also discusses the 18th century author and advocate, Mary Wollstonecraft, the origins of the feminist movement, and the rights and duties in a free and just society.   Other topics we cover: her personal background, the Abigail Adams Institute, Catholic feminism, “The Rights of Women,” and introduction to Mary Wollstonecraft, the French and American Revolutions, the importance of virtue, and more.   Erika Bachiochi is a legal scholar at the Ethics & Public Policy Center and a senior fellow at the Abigail Adams Institute, where she serves as the director of The Wollstonecraft Project. An accomplished mom of seven, Bachiochi has a J.D. from Boston University School of Law and is the author of “The Rights of Women: Reclaiming a Lost Vision” (2021). Praxis Circle interviewed Bachiochi for her expertise on the history of feminism and her insight on where the movement is headed.    Watch Erika Bachiochi’s full interview on our website: https://praxiscircle.com/leader/erika-bachiochi   Learn more about Praxis Circle: https://praxiscircle.com/   Join our Praxis Circle community for free and gain exclusive access to resources, courses, and events:  https://praxiscircle.com/join   Follow us:   Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/praxiscircle/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thepraxiscircle/ X - https://twitter.com/praxiscircle LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/praxis-circle/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thepraxiscircle

This is the second of a two-part conversation with Heather Mac Donald. In this discussion, Mac Donald challenges popular opinion and conventional wisdom as we wade into several cultural controversies like the consequences of diversity over meritocracy, the breakdown of the family, and women’s vs. trans’ rights.   Other topics we cover: race, gender, higher education, feminism, toxic masculinity, and the future of America’s politics.   Heather Mac Donald is the Thomas W. Smith Fellow at the Manhattan Institute and a New York Times bestselling author. She is the author of six books: “The Burden of Bad Ideas” (2001); “The Immigration Solution: A Better Plan Than Today’s” (2007); “Are Cops Racist?” (2010); “The War on Cops” (2016); “The Diversity Delusion: How Race and Gender Pandering Corrupt the University and Undermine Our Culture” (2018); and her most recent book, “When Race Trumps Merit: How the Pursuit of Equity Sacrifices Excellence, Destroys Beauty, and Threatens Lives” (2023). Mac Donald holds a J.D. from Stanford University Law School and is currently a sought-after voice on identity politics and the trajectory of America.   Watch Heather Mac Donald’s full interview on our website: https://praxiscircle.com/leader/heather-mac-donald   Learn more about Praxis Circle: https://praxiscircle.com/   Join our Praxis Circle community for free and gain exclusive access to resources, courses, and events:  https://praxiscircle.com/join   Follow us:   Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/praxiscircle/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thepraxiscircle/ X - https://twitter.com/praxiscircle LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/praxis-circle/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thepraxiscircle

This is the first of a two-part conversation with Heather Mac Donald about her personal background, the people who shaped her, her worldview, and love of music.  We also have an interesting conversation about why, unlike many of our previous Contributors, she does not believe in either capital “T” truth or the existence of God.   Other topics we cover: studying the deconstruction of language, the source of courage in her work, the litmus test between libertarians and conservatives, and the evidence for God and miracles (or not).   Heather Mac Donald is the Thomas W. Smith Fellow at the Manhattan Institute and a New York Times bestselling author. She is the author of six books: “The Burden of Bad Ideas” (2001); “The Immigration Solution: A Better Plan Than Today’s” (2007); “Are Cops Racist?” (2010); “The War on Cops” (2016); “The Diversity Delusion: How Race and Gender Pandering Corrupt the University and Undermine Our Culture” (2018); and her most recent book, “When Race Trumps Merit: How the Pursuit of Equity Sacrifices Excellence, Destroys Beauty, and Threatens Lives” (2023). Mac Donald holds a J.D. from Stanford University Law School and is currently a sought-after voice on identity politics and the trajectory of America.   Watch Heather Mac Donald’s full interview on our website: https://praxiscircle.com/leader/heather-mac-donald   Learn more about Praxis Circle: https://praxiscircle.com/   Join our Praxis Circle community for free and gain exclusive access to resources, courses, and events:  https://praxiscircle.com/join   Follow us:   Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/praxiscircle/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thepraxiscircle/ X - https://twitter.com/praxiscircle LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/praxis-circle/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thepraxiscircle

The final part of our five episode series with Dr. Stephen Meyer, a former geophysicist turned philosopher of science, who offers profound insights into the intersection of science, philosophy, and faith. We discuss the importance of a good theology of nature, how a “non-materialistic” explanation can still be scientific, and our ultimate problem: Men have forgotten God. Lastly, Meyer answers the question, “Are you optimistic or pessimistic about America?”   Other topics we cover: theistic evolution, the Cambrian explosion, evolution, dualism, creation, a good theology of nature, the Resurrection, and more.   Dr. Stephen Meyer is the Director and Senior Fellow of the Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture with a Ph.D. in the philosophy of science from the University of Cambridge. He is the author of three books: “Signature in the Cell: DNA and the Evidence for Intelligent Design” (2009) which was named Times (of London) Literary Supplement Book of the Year, the New York Times bestseller “Darwin’s Doubt: The Explosive Origin of Animal Life and the Case for Intelligent Design” (2013), and his most recent book, “Return of the God Hypothesis” (2021).   Watch Stephen Meyer’s full interview on our website: https://praxiscircle.com/leader/stephen-meyer   Learn more about Praxis Circle: https://praxiscircle.com/   Join our Praxis Circle community for free and gain exclusive access to resources, courses, and events:  https://praxiscircle.com/join   Follow us:   Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/praxiscircle/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thepraxiscircle/ X - https://twitter.com/praxiscircle LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/praxis-circle/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thepraxiscircle

In this episode of our five-part conversation with Dr. Stephen Meyer, we discuss his “Return of the God Hypothesis,” the Big Bang, Darwin’s system, and the argument on behalf of theistic intelligent design.   Other topics we cover: arguments for the existence of God, biology, astronomy and the Big Bang theory, theistic design, quantum cosmology, fine-tuning of the universe, multiverse theory, problems with Darwinism, and more.   Dr. Stephen Meyer is the Director and Senior Fellow of the Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture with a Ph.D. in the philosophy of science from the University of Cambridge. He is the author of three books: “Signature in the Cell: DNA and the Evidence for Intelligent Design” (2009) which was named Times (of London) Literary Supplement Book of the Year, the New York Times bestseller “Darwin’s Doubt: The Explosive Origin of Animal Life and the Case for Intelligent Design” (2013), and his most recent book, “Return of the God Hypothesis” (2021).   Watch Stephen Meyer’s full interview on our website: https://praxiscircle.com/leader/stephen-meyer   Learn more about Praxis Circle: https://praxiscircle.com/   Join our Praxis Circle community for free and gain exclusive access to resources, courses, and events:  https://praxiscircle.com/join   Follow us:   Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/praxiscircle/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thepraxiscircle/ X - https://twitter.com/praxiscircle LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/praxis-circle/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thepraxiscircle

This is the third of a five-part conversation with Dr. Stephen Meyer, a former geophysicist turned philosopher of science, who offers profound insights into the intersection of science, philosophy, and faith. In this episode, Dr. Meyer explains science and faith throughout the history of mankind and how the understanding of Christian God led to the Scientific Revolution in much of Europe. From St. Augustine to Robert Boyle to Dr. Meyer himself, “Theism allows science to do good.” Furthermore, we discuss where the scientific community is today and how certain attitudes and beliefs could be shifting.   Other topics we cover: the history of science, specified information and the laws of nature, how Christianity sparked the Scientific Revolution, Darwinism, the status of intelligent design, and more.   Dr. Stephen Meyer is the Director and Senior Fellow of the Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture with a Ph.D. in the philosophy of science from the University of Cambridge. He is the author of three books: “Signature in the Cell: DNA and the Evidence for Intelligent Design” (2009) which was named Times (of London) Literary Supplement Book of the Year, the New York Times bestseller “Darwin’s Doubt: The Explosive Origin of Animal Life and the Case for Intelligent Design” (2013), and his most recent book, “Return of the God Hypothesis” (2021).   Watch Stephen Meyer’s full interview on our website: https://praxiscircle.com/leader/stephen-meyer   Learn more about Praxis Circle: https://praxiscircle.com/   Join our Praxis Circle community for free and gain exclusive access to resources, courses, and events:  https://praxiscircle.com/join   Follow us:   Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/praxiscircle/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thepraxiscircle/ X - https://twitter.com/praxiscircle LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/praxis-circle/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thepraxiscircle

In this episode of our five-part conversation with Dr. Stephen Meyer, we discuss the innate sense people have for morality and God, as well as some of the scientific beliefs of Newton, Leibniz, and Einstein.   Other topics we cover: the importance of good philosophy, the relationship between relativism and materialism, the fact-value divide, and moral knowledge.   Dr. Stephen Meyer is the Director and Senior Fellow of the Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture with a Ph.D. in the philosophy of science from the University of Cambridge. He is the author of three books: “Signature in the Cell: DNA and the Evidence for Intelligent Design” (2009) which was named Times (of London) Literary Supplement Book of the Year, the New York Times bestseller “Darwin’s Doubt: The Explosive Origin of Animal Life and the Case for Intelligent Design” (2013), and his most recent book, “Return of the God Hypothesis” (2021).   Watch Stephen Meyer’s full interview on our website: https://praxiscircle.com/leader/stephen-meyer   Learn more about Praxis Circle: https://praxiscircle.com/   Join our Praxis Circle community for free and gain exclusive access to resources, courses, and events:  https://praxiscircle.com/join   Follow us:   Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/praxiscircle/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thepraxiscircle/ X - https://twitter.com/praxiscircle LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/praxis-circle/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thepraxiscircle

This is the first of a five-part conversation with Dr. Stephen Meyer, a former geophysicist turned philosopher of science, who offers profound insights into the intersection of science, philosophy, and faith. Meyer has emerged as a leading intellectual voice presenting compelling evidence for God via intelligent design in the creation, development, and sustaining of the universe and of life on earth.   Topics we cover: the Discovery Institute, worldview, the Bible’s metaphysics, philosophy, the idea of intelligibility, the mind-body problem of consciousness, proving the existence of God, and more.   Dr. Stephen Meyer is the Director and Senior Fellow of the Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture with a Ph.D. in the philosophy of science from the University of Cambridge. He is the author of three books: “Signature in the Cell: DNA and the Evidence for Intelligent Design” (2009) which was named Times (of London) Literary Supplement Book of the Year, the New York Times bestseller “Darwin’s Doubt: The Explosive Origin of Animal Life and the Case for Intelligent Design” (2013), and his most recent book, “Return of the God Hypothesis” (2021).   Watch Stephen Meyer’s full interview on our website: https://praxiscircle.com/leader/stephen-meyer   Learn more about Praxis Circle: https://praxiscircle.com/   Join our Praxis Circle community for free and gain exclusive access to resources, courses, and events:  https://praxiscircle.com/join   Follow us:   Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/praxiscircle/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thepraxiscircle/ X - https://twitter.com/praxiscircle LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/praxis-circle/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thepraxiscircle

In the last part of our interview, Mary Eberstadt concludes by discussing the reason for the rise in religious “nones,” the historical impact of religious vs. secular wars, the future of the Catholic Church, and both the progress and backsliding the United States has made in the past decade.   Mary Eberstadt holds the Panula Chair in Christian Culture at the Catholic Information Center and is a Senior Research Fellow at the Faith & Reason Institute. She is the author of many books, including her most recent “Primal Screams: How the Sexual Revolution Created Identity Politics” (2019) and “Adam and Eve After the Pill, Revisited” (2023). A Cornell graduate with two honorary doctorates in Humane Letters, Mary is a sought out voice on religion, the family, social issues, and the Sexual Revolution.   Watch Mary Eberstadt’s full interview on our website: https://praxiscircle.com/video/mary-eberstadt-2/   Learn more about Praxis Circle: https://praxiscircle.com/   Join our Praxis Circle community for free and gain exclusive access to resources, courses, and events:  https://praxiscircle.com/join   Follow us:   Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/praxiscircle/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thepraxiscircle/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/praxiscircle LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/praxis-circle/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thepraxiscircle

In the second part of our interview, Mary Eberstadt discusses her book “Primal Screams” and her argument that the Sexual Revolution of the 1960s has created identity politics. We also have a conversation on contemporary feminism, how the summer of 2020 was a fulfilled “prophecy,” the turmoil people are facing because of loneliness, and how her faith helps her live a life free of fear.   Other topics we cover: What policy changes could help the family? Who are the culture wars really between? Why are so many rejecting basic biological realities? How should Christians engage in the public square?   Mary Eberstadt holds the Panula Chair in Christian Culture at the Catholic Information Center and is a Senior Research Fellow at the Faith & Reason Institute. She is the author of many books, including her most recent “Primal Screams: How the Sexual Revolution Created Identity Politics” (2019) and “Adam and Eve After the Pill, Revisited” (2023). A Cornell graduate with two honorary doctorates in Humane Letters, Mary is a sought out voice on religion, the family, social issues, and the Sexual Revolution.   Watch Mary Eberstadt’s full interview on our website: https://praxiscircle.com/video/mary-eberstadt-2/   Learn more about Praxis Circle: https://praxiscircle.com/   Join our Praxis Circle community for free and gain exclusive access to resources, courses, and events:  https://praxiscircle.com/join   Follow us:   Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/praxiscircle/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thepraxiscircle/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/praxiscircle LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/praxis-circle/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thepraxiscircle

Mary Eberstadt is an essayist, novelist, public speaker, and author of several nonfiction works. In the first part of her interview with Praxis Circle, Eberstadt discusses her growing up years in upstate New York, important life influences, pursuing both a career and motherhood, and her thoughts on how and why the younger generations today have been robbed.   Mary Eberstadt holds the Panula Chair in Christian Culture at the Catholic Information Center and is a Senior Research Fellow at the Faith & Reason Institute. She is the author of many books, including her most recent “Primal Screams: How the Sexual Revolution Created Identity Politics” (2019) and “Adam and Eve After the Pill, Revisited” (2023). A Cornell graduate with two honorary doctorates in Humane Letters, Mary is a sought out voice on religion, the family, social issues, and the Sexual Revolution.   Watch Mary Eberstadt’s full interview on our website: https://praxiscircle.com/video/mary-eberstadt-2/   Learn more about Praxis Circle: https://praxiscircle.com/   Join our Praxis Circle community for free and gain exclusive access to resources, courses, and events:  https://praxiscircle.com/join   Follow us:   Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/praxiscircle/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thepraxiscircle/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/praxiscircle LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/praxis-circle/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thepraxiscircle

From philosophy to the sacred, part three of our interview with Sir Roger Scruton now turns to a discussion on politics. As a British outsider looking in, Scruton examines the uniqueness of the  American political system, our culture (defining it as “ghost-haunted”), and the connection between Donald J. Trump and Brexit. Finally, Scruton offers an answer at the very end of our episode to the question: “Are you optimistic or pessimistic about America?”   Other topics we cover: Is there a spiritual world? What are your thoughts on trans-humanism and cloning? Are good men necessary to control evil men? Listen to find out more!   Sir Roger Scruton was an internationally recognized British philosopher, author, and professor with a Ph.D. in philosophy from Cambridge University. He was knighted for services in philosophy, teaching, and public education in 2016 and published over fifty nonfiction and fiction books. Praxis Circle interviewed Scruton because of his commanding knowledge of Western philosophy, his highly developed philosophical and theological anthropology, and his extensive service to the protection and preservation of Western civilization. This is one of Scruton’s last recorded interviews before his sudden passing from cancer in 2020.   Watch Roger Scruton’s full interview on our website: https://praxiscircle.com/video/roger-scruton/   Learn more about Praxis Circle: https://praxiscircle.com/   Join our Praxis Circle community for free and gain exclusive access to resources, courses, and events:  https://praxiscircle.com/join   Follow us:   Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/praxiscircle/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thepraxiscircle/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/praxiscircle LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/praxis-circle/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thepraxiscircle

“Lifeworld,” “worldview,” “conservative,” “the sacred,” “oikophilia”–a word Sir Roger Scruton coined himself—what do they mean? In part two of our interview, Scruton defines his terms and sheds light on some of today’s most discussed philosophical topics. We also have a conversation on the importance of the law of noncontradiction to reason; his personal move towards Christianity and political conservatism; and finally, what makes a human being a person.   Other topics we cover: What is your worldview? What are the fundamental concepts that define humanity? Who has been the most harmful philosopher to date? Listen to find out more!   Sir Roger Scruton was an internationally recognized British philosopher, author, and professor with a Ph.D. in philosophy from Cambridge University. He was knighted for services in philosophy, teaching, and public education in 2016 and published over fifty nonfiction and fiction books. Praxis Circle interviewed Scruton because of his commanding knowledge of Western philosophy, his highly developed philosophical and theological anthropology, and his extensive service to the protection and preservation of Western civilization. This is one of Scruton’s last recorded interviews before his sudden passing from cancer in 2020.   Watch Roger Scruton’s full interview on our website: https://praxiscircle.com/video/roger-scruton/   Learn more about Praxis Circle: https://praxiscircle.com/   Join our Praxis Circle community for free and gain exclusive access to resources, courses, and events:  https://praxiscircle.com/join   Follow us:   Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/praxiscircle/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thepraxiscircle/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/praxiscircle LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/praxis-circle/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thepraxiscircle

Praxis Circle had the honor of conducting one of Sir Roger Scruton’s last interviews before his passing from cancer in 2020. Listen to part one for a conversation on philosophy, the pursuit of truth, and several dual issues: foundations and constructions, elitism and anti-elitism, and a particularly poignant distinction between a culture of repudiation vs. affirmation. While weighty topics, Scruton offers thoughtful answers that can help us understand and navigate today’s often troubling times.    Other topics we cover: Who began modern philosophy–Descartes or Kant? Do philosophy and worldview need foundations? Is truth-seeking part of worldview? What is cognitive dualism? Listen to find out more!   Sir Roger Scruton was an internationally recognized British philosopher, author, and professor with a Ph.D. in philosophy from Cambridge University. He was knighted for services in philosophy, teaching, and public education in 2016 and published over fifty nonfiction and fiction books. Praxis Circle interviewed Scruton because of his commanding knowledge of Western philosophy, his highly developed philosophical and theological anthropology, and his extensive service to the protection and preservation of Western civilization.   Watch Roger Scruton’s full interview on our website: https://praxiscircle.com/video/roger-scruton/   Learn more about Praxis Circle: https://praxiscircle.com/   Join our Praxis Circle community for free and gain exclusive access to resources, courses, and events:  https://praxiscircle.com/join   Follow us:   Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/praxiscircle/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thepraxiscircle/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/praxiscircle LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/praxis-circle/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thepraxiscircle

In the final part of our interview, Dr. Anne Bradley discusses the “Gini Index,” income inequality, democratic capitalism, and social justice. She offers real insight on how we are already curing poverty worldwide through market trade and human agency. Finally, Bradley shares why we should be optimistic about the future of American economics–but only if we protect our liberties.   Other topics we cover: Should America have a balanced budget? Are we living in a post-Christian world today? Why is immigration a good thing for the economy? What is America’s role in the world?   Dr. Anne Bradley is the Director of Academic Affairs at the Fund for American Studies based in Washington, D.C. She is the co-editor and author of “Counting the Cost: Christian Perspective on Capitalism,” “For the Least of These: a Biblical Answer to Poverty,” and “Be Fruitful and Multiply: Why Economics is Necessary for Making God-Pleasing Decisions.” Bradley earned her Ph.D. in economics from George Mason University and has since taught economic principles and theory at multiple universities.   Watch Anne Bradley’s full interview on our website: https://praxiscircle.com/video/anne-r-bradley/   Learn more about Praxis Circle: https://praxiscircle.com/   Join our Praxis Circle community for free and gain exclusive access to resources, courses, and events:  https://praxiscircle.com/join   Follow us:   Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/praxiscircle/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thepraxiscircle/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/praxiscircle LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/praxis-circle/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thepraxiscircle