The Spanish philosopher José Ortega y Gasset famously said, “I am I and my circumstance.” Human persons do not exist in the world as isolated individuals but are firmly rooted in their own context. Although persons find ultimate fulfillment only in communion with God, our social context, including family, church and local community, is an essential part of our development as persons. We are by nature social persons fulfilled by interacting with others and participating in moral goods. This includes our interactions in the marketplace, which realize not only economic but also moral value. Other relations of mutual dependence, such as promises, friendships, marriages and the family, are likewise moral goods by which we flourish in the world.
Every year the Acton Institute invites young people into the social and professional context of the Acton Institute through our Emerging Leaders Program. In this issue, one of those leaders, Andrew Houser, shares his experience as part of that program.
The Acton Institute’s own Kayla Kaseska shares her recent experience of participating in the Acton-Liberty Fund co-sponsored colloquium on “Liberty, Markets and Responsibility.” These colloquia are part of our return to live programming, which we are excited to ramp up as the COVID-19 pandemic subsides.
There is also a feature on the success of Acton University Online, in which thousands from all over the world were brought together to explore the nature of a free and virtuous society. A brief recap of Acton University Online is also included, summarizing a portion of my closing remarks in which I address the current situation of the imprisoned entrepreneur and democracy activist Jimmy Lai and the deteriorating situation in Hong Kong.
None of this would be possible without the generous support of our donors. Thank you! Your support is more important than ever as we work to spread the ideas that animate a free and virtuous society. If you are just learning about Acton, be sure to check out our website, and please prayerfully consider supporting us in our mission.
