The Thomistic Institute Is the Church Anti-Capitalist? – Fr. Jacques-Benoît Rauscher, O.P.
19 snips
Mar 10, 2026 Fr. Jacques-Benoît Rauscher, O.P., a Dominican moral theologian and teacher at the Catholic University of Lyon, explores whether Church teaching opposes capitalism or critiques its underlying spirit. He contrasts Catholic social doctrine with Marxism, examines biblical warnings about wealth, outlines four Catholic responses to capitalism, and proposes a Thomistic, prudential way to live faithfully in modern economic life.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Church Defined Capitalism Against Marxism
- The Church's social doctrine historically defined capitalism mostly in opposition to Marxism rather than as a standalone system.
- Leo XIII emphasized private property to oppose socialism, and early teaching avoided direct condemnation of capitalism to focus on communism as the main threat.
Pius XI Distinguished Types Of Capitalism
- Later papal teaching recognized multiple kinds of capitalism and critiqued purely competitive, individualistic systems.
- Pius XI introduced the word capitalism in Quadragesimo Anno and, influenced by theologians, sought balance between opposing Marxism and engaging modernity.
Spirit Of Capitalism Is An Anthropological Shift
- 'Spirit of capitalism' is an anthropological attitude valuing self-interest and efficiency over communal moral aims.
- Adam Smith's account (Wealth of Nations, Theory of Moral Sentiments) shows market efficiency rooted in self-interest, conflicting with traditional Christian suspicion of wealth.
