WOF 500: Catholic Social Thought in the Age of AI

WOF 500: Catholic Social Thought in the Age of AI

Author: Bishop Robert Barron July 28, 2025 Duration: 45:51

In taking the name Pope Leo XIV, the new pope has signaled that the Church finds itself in an era marked by tumultuous social change. The question remains whether the Catholic social thought of his predecessor Leo XIII's time is still applicable today given the radically different world we now live in—a world increasingly defined by the rise and possible dominance of artificial intelligence, robotics entering into mainstream life, the breakdown of regular physical contact among people, and the rise of transhumanism. Can Catholic social thought help us to navigate these uncharted waters?

A listener asks: How does one respond to "Science doesn't care what you believe"?

00:00 | Introduction
01:45 | Episode 500!
02:51 | What is Catholic social thought?
03:59 | Pope Leo XIII and Catholic social thought
06:05 | The Catholic conception of human dignity
08:00 | How Catholics understand the common good
09:36 | Defining solidarity
11:39 | Understanding subsidiarity
13:45 | Factoring in the question of sin
17:19 | The significance of the name Leo XIV
18:08 | Examining the nature of artificial intelligence
23:23 | Humanity and the machine
29:09 | Limiting principles
31:35 | Virtual reality, avatars, and companions
35:38 | AI and the workforce
40:43 | AI and art
43:14 | Listener question: How does one respond to "science doesn't care what you believe"?
45:16 | Join the Word on Fire Institute


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Each week, The Word on Fire Show-Catholic Faith and Culture offers a thoughtful conversation with Bishop Robert Barron. This podcast explores the rich intersection of belief with contemporary life, examining everything from art and philosophy to current events and personal spirituality through a Catholic lens. Listeners will find deep dives into theological concepts, reflections on scripture, and discussions on how ancient wisdom addresses modern challenges. The tone is engaging and accessible, designed for anyone curious about the deeper questions, whether they are longtime in their faith or simply exploring. Bishop Barron brings his distinctive perspective as a theologian and communicator to these dialogues, making complex ideas relatable. It’s a space for meaningful exploration, where faith is presented as a compelling force for understanding our world and our place within it. New episodes arrive weekly, continuing a long-running series of insightful commentary and analysis.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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