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CV NEWS FEED // Catholic author Bobby Angel recently spoke with CatholicVote about his new book, The Postmodern Predicament, published Feb. 18 by Sophia Institute Press.
In the book, Angel outlines how movements in Western philosophy led to the deep skepticism, subjectivism, and disenchantment of contemporary, or postmodern, times.
“I really wanted to highlight the fact that ideas have consequences and the ideas that have made up our western cultural worldview are bearing fruit,” Angel said. “We’re largely cut off from the wisdom of history that brought us here.”
During the interview, Angel discussed how postmodern skepticism and disillusionment lead to political polarization. He brought up the notion of telos, a Greek term for something’s ultimate purpose.
“The purpose of man, we would say as Catholics, is to know, love, and serve God,” Angel said. “But that’s been cut off.”
This leads people to ask what their purpose and mission is, he explained; because of the void of religious meaning, people turn to activism and politics as their purpose.
“Instead of being a part of life, it now becomes the most important thing,” Angel said. “It becomes the purpose for which I live, endlessly scrolling the political news.”
Angel noted that the skepticism and relativism of postmodern times also leads to gender dysphoria. He said that even though technology and hubris lead postmodernists to think they could reframe male and female, a rejection of objective truth is at the root of the problem. Because there is no attachment to objective truth, each person is left to define “man” or “woman” on his own terms.
Angel also offered hope for the those living in postmodern times, and discussed how a rekindling of wonder can lead people out of despair.
He said that this wonder is something the ancients possessed and encouraged everyone to learn from these ancient philosophers.
“Maybe they saw that there was a sense of enchantment in the world, and there was an objective truth outside of me worth pursuing, and the fact that we are spiritual beings,” Angel said.
Wonder, he continued, re-engages man with reality. Many parents have found great success in treating their children’s gender dysphoria by encouraging a return to nature.
“It doesn’t mean you have to go full Amish,” Angel said, “but certainly just living life and being with other people and being in the world, reinvigorating, reawakening a sense of wonder.”
“When you actually get out of the city and get out of light pollution and you see a sky full of stars, it’s incredible. And I don’t care how old you are,” Angel continued.
He added that the experience leads one to think, “This is what I’m meant for.”
