One of the core problems he emphasizes is that modern liberal democracy has adapted a focus on positivist thought. He notes that “Today’s so-called ‘positive’ law doesn’t reflect and apply some higher order of justice. It invents justice by discovering new right and juggling interest, and that means no rights are inalienable” (Chaput, 6). He has alluded to an inherent problem because this same society that preaches positivist law also claims to uphold certain inalienable rights. Yet, Chaput proposes that “The natural rights we take for granted are inalienable only because they’re guaranteed by nature’s God” (Chaput, 6). While this contradiction is highly problematic, Chaput urges us not to become hopeless but explicitly states that “The real problem with the world is us” (Chaput, 9). Therefore, “As Austustine said in his sermons, it’s no use complaining about the times, because we are the times” (Chaput, 9). What we must do is change our own hearts and then “God will use the witness of our lives to change [the world]” (Chaput, 9). One of the most fundamental changes will be to reject positivist thought and realize the duties one has to
One of the core problems he emphasizes is that modern liberal democracy has adapted a focus on positivist thought. He notes that “Today’s so-called ‘positive’ law doesn’t reflect and apply some higher order of justice. It invents justice by discovering new right and juggling interest, and that means no rights are inalienable” (Chaput, 6). He has alluded to an inherent problem because this same society that preaches positivist law also claims to uphold certain inalienable rights. Yet, Chaput proposes that “The natural rights we take for granted are inalienable only because they’re guaranteed by nature’s God” (Chaput, 6). While this contradiction is highly problematic, Chaput urges us not to become hopeless but explicitly states that “The real problem with the world is us” (Chaput, 9). Therefore, “As Austustine said in his sermons, it’s no use complaining about the times, because we are the times” (Chaput, 9). What we must do is change our own hearts and then “God will use the witness of our lives to change [the world]” (Chaput, 9). One of the most fundamental changes will be to reject positivist thought and realize the duties one has to