Banning astonishment

This story on philosopher Thomas Nagel makes a good point: extreme philosophical reductionism is usually a reflection of hatred of religious transcendence, not of any form of rational knowledge.

No original sin

A good piece by Roger Scruton. What he neglects to say is that modern optimism is not just a psychological attitude, but also the outcome of certain philosophical and theological presuppositions.

Secure of one's identity

David Brooks has an interesting perspective on the new Pope.

Guiding light

Ten years ago Sandro Magister wrote an interesting profile of then-Cardinal Bergoglio.

Secularism inside us

Two interesting interviews by John Allen with Cardinal George and Cardinal Wuerl. Both of them, in spite of being very different personalities, seem to think that the greatest challenge for the next Pope will be how to face a pervasive, media-driven secularist mentality.