Chapter Four of Magnificent Humanity is important. Pope Leo XIV claims:
Truth can be manipulated. Freedom can descend into anarchy. Work can become slavery.
The traditional definition of truth is the ‘alignment of the mind with reality.’
But because we are body, soul and spirit, ‘truth is the conformity of the body, soul and spirit with reality,’ with the ultimate reality being God.
The search for truth is fundamental, not only on a personal level, but for democracy itself. The pope quotes philosopher Hannah Arendt (1906-1975):
Totalitarianism is fostered by people for whom the distinction between fact and fiction and the distinction between true and false no longer exist (MH 134).
The pope says one of the best ways of battling totalitarianism is by strengthening intermediary organisations that lie between government and the individual, with educational institutions occupying pride of place.
The Rule of St. Benedict combines prayer, work and study. Working with our hands leads to creativity of mind, and along with prayer we begin to feel our freedom as an interplay with God’s freedom.
That’s a good experience.
But we must be vigilant lest AI enslave us in new forms of addiction and slavery.
AMEN.
Brilliant perception