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


NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a Word on Fire IGNITE member! Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners . . . like you! So become a part of this mission and join IGNITE today to become a Word on Fire insider and receive some special donor gifts for your generosity.


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

The Word on Fire Show - Catholic Faith and Culture
Podcast Episodes
WOF 452: Bishop Barron's Homily at the Eucharistic Congress [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:54
Recently, Bishop Barron traveled to the 2024 National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. He gave a homily during a breakout session to all the priests present there, and now we are bringing it to you. Enjoy! Link: Wor…
WOF 451: Is Christianity Making a Comeback? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:36
Some recent polling suggests that the number of those who identify with no religion has hit a ceiling, and it may even be declining. At the same time, a number of high-profile cultural influencers—even some formerly host…
WOF 450: Freedom & Political Order w/ Patrick Deneen—Part II [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:53
Today, we bring you the latter half of Bishop Barron's conversation with Patrick J. Deneen, a professor of political science at the University of Notre Dame. In this engaging discussion, the two address topics relating t…
WOF 449: Are Reverent Liturgies & Social Justice at Odds? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:26
Does being committed to social justice necessarily entail neglecting the liturgy? Conversely, do reverent liturgies entail downplaying or even ignoring the Church's mission to care for the poor? The answer to both questi…
WOF 448: Freedom & Political Order w/ Patrick Deneen—Part I [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:16
Today, we bring you the first part of Bishop Barron's conversation with Patrick J. Deneen, a professor of political science at the University of Notre Dame. In the discussion, they touch on topics relating to freedom, tr…
WOF 447: The Crossroads of Religion & Politics—Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:12
We bring to you the second part of Bishop Barron's discussion with Dr. Tod Worner on the way a Catholic, and indeed all Christians, should approach the crossroads of Religion and politics. Enjoy! 00:00 | Intro 00:26 | Th…
WOF 446: Five Animating Sensibilities for Evangelization [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:06
We recently hosted a Word on Fire Institute member event in London. At the event, Bishop Barron reflected on five animating sensibilities for evangelization. Enjoy. Link: Word on Fire Institute: https://institute.wordonf…
WOF 445: The Crossroads of Religion & Politics—Part I [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:51
Today, we bring to you the first part of Bishop Barron's discussion with Dr. Tod Worner on the way a Catholic should navigate the crossroads of religion and politics. Enjoy! NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a Word…
WOF 444: Bishop Barron Speaks at Parliament [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:27
Bishop Barron had the privilege of speaking to members of Parliament in London, England. He reflects on the presence of the Church in society, her endurance throughout the ages, and why Christianity is consistently a pow…
WOF 443: How Should We Understand Miracles? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:34
Over 83 percent of Americans still believe in miracles, but what, specifically, are miracles? What are the grounds for believing in them, especially for non-eye witnesses? In the Catholic context, who has the authority t…