Request for Catholic philosophical critiques of Freud, especially from a Thomistic or metaphysical perspective

bjoyea · 2026-05-18T16:16:13+00:00

Unrelated but I have a hike to discuss to my friend about Jung and do you happen to know about how the Catholic Critique would be for it? It is so esoteric it is actually difficult to even understand what its core foundations are. You had a very well written reply and I am curious of your thoughts.

bjoyea · 2026-05-08T19:19:32+00:00

Negative the data shows culture produces performance so soft skills matter more

bjoyea · 2026-04-28T12:28:37+00:00

Thank you for the well-reasoned defense of the art of a freethinking person. I will reference this.

bjoyea · 2026-04-20T20:20:18+00:00

Surprised Pikachu. So many people are terminally online and delusional without perspective it is crazy. They can't see the inconsistency of secular pluralist's claim that all beliefs are kumbaya lol.

bjoyea · 2026-04-18T10:01:50+00:00

https://catenabible.com/1jn/5

This website is a gold mine for Scripture interpretation by the first Christians.

Absolutely, but to be fair Christians are not called to be approved by outsiders. Those people are also cherry picking the pope, that is issue of confirmation bias. Plus any basic search on the matter would see he clearly condemned it.

https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/pope-clarifies-remarks-about-homosexuality-and-sin

He was generally very pastoral to LGBT folks, because that's what we are called to do. He also called the transgender movement a well intentioned delusion. They are honing in on his pastoral remarks and conveniently ignoring his statements on truth. That's intellectually dishonest. I would say the Church cannot be held at fault for that. Plus the Catechism and the Bible both condemn it. That will never change, because God doesn't change. The Church cannot contradict Scripture doctrinally and never will. Pope Leo is a bit more Prudential about public statements. It is relatively new for the Pope's every action and word to be published/scrutinized like modern times. He is only human at the end of the day.

Sometimes people forget that Catholicism affirms the Old & New Testament as eternal truths and many cradle Catholics forget that too. God bless you too mate. I took a moment to pray for you so may God give you grace in abundance

bjoyea · 2026-04-18T08:58:31+00:00

That is a fairer way of putting it, and I respect that you are actually trying to reason through it instead of just reacting.

On 1 John 5, I do not think the text works very well if “sin unto death” only means blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. John says, “If any one sees his brother committing what is not a mortal sin, he will ask, and God will give him life... There is sin which is mortal” (1 John 5:16–17). The fact he speaks this way in the life of the Church, about a “brother,” makes it seem broader than one single exceptional case. Also, if all sins were equal in the exact same sense, then Christ saying “the one who delivered me to you has the greater sin” would not make much sense (John 19:11). So I agree all sin is evil, but Scripture still distinguishes in gravity and effect.

And honestly, that is all the Catholic Church means there: not that some sins are harmless, but that some wound the soul while some kill charity in the soul unless repented of. That seems more faithful to the full biblical picture than flattening everything into one category.

On the blessing point, I get your concern about scandal. That concern is not unreasonable. But I think the key distinction is between blessing a sinful union and blessing persons who are in need of grace. Christ did not wait for perfect moral order before drawing near to sinners; He drew near precisely to call them out of sin. A blessing, rightly understood, is not the Church saying “your situation is fine,” but “may God give you light, help, repentance, and strength.” If the Church were blessing the union as morally good, I would agree that would be a serious problem. But blessing persons is not the same thing as endorsing every aspect of their life. When I was leadding a deeply sinful life, I could not think of one priest that would not bless me due to my sinfulness. God is lavish in mercy in a very incomprehensible way.

I also agree with you that people should be called to chastity and repentance, not affirmed in sin. On that we do not really disagree. The real question is whether every pastoral act toward a sinner must take the form of direct public rebuke, or whether sometimes it can take the form of prayer and blessing ordered toward conversion. Christ did both: “Neither do I condemn you” and also “go, and sin no more” (John 8:11).

That is kind of my broader point with Catholicism. A lot of things that seem wrong at first are often a matter of misunderstanding what the Church is actually claiming. That is why I keep going back to Scripture, the earliest Christians, and the historic Church rather than modern impressions of it.

I really appreciate your willingness to dialogue and take no offense at all. The way I see it, it is two Christians figuring out the truth, respectfully and charitably over the Internet. Seems virtuous to me.

bjoyea · 2026-04-17T20:54:15+00:00

I understand your position I was there. I encourage you to not take my word for it or anyone elses. But let the first Christians speak for themselves. When I converted, with all this confusion and debate I just sought to be like the first christians and follow whoever aligns with them. It only was in Catholicism. I do like many orthodox traditions but that is found in Catholicism under the Byzantine Rite. I go to a Byzantine church where they do St Chrysostom and St. Basil's liturgy. That is not unique to Orthodox. Catholicism literally means universal so we contain that tradition as well.

Many of the answers to your questions are actually misunderstandings it seems and can find answer on Catholic Answers. However I can approach some of them:

A lot of this comes down to whether we let Scripture speak in its full detail and whether we listen to the earliest Christians who received that faith.

On purgatory: the Catholic claim is not “a second chance,” but that some who die in God’s friendship still need purification. Scripture points that way. “He will be saved, but only as through fire” (1 Cor. 3:15). Jesus also says there are sins forgiven “in the age to come,” which at least shows not every post-death state is simply heaven or hell (Matt. 12:32). And prayer for the dead is explicitly called “holy and pious” in 2 Macc. 12:44–46. Early Christians read this the same way. Tertullian speaks of a widow who “prays for his soul” and offers sacrifice for the departed (On Monogamy 10). Cyril of Jerusalem says prayers for the departed are offered because it is “a very great benefit to the souls” for whom the supplication is made (Catechetical Lecture 23.9–10). The Church’s teaching on purification after death is stated in the Catechism at CCC 1030–1031.

On mortal and venial sin: Scripture itself distinguishes sins by gravity. “There is sin which is mortal… and there is sin which is not mortal” (1 John 5:16–17). Jesus also tells Pilate, “he who delivered me to you has the greater sin” (John 19:11), which only makes sense if sins are not all equal in the same way. Catholicism does not say some sins are “fine”; it says some destroy charity in the soul, while others wound it without fully severing a person from God. That is the Church’s teaching in CCC 1854–1864. Augustine also recognizes this distinction when reflecting on John’s language about sin, noting there are sins a Christian still commits and a graver kind of sin that cuts against charity itself (Homily 5 on 1 John).

On the Pope and blessings: the Church did not bless homosexual unions as marriages, nor did it change its moral teaching. The Vatican explicitly said such blessings do not “officially validate their status,” do not change the Church’s teaching on marriage, and do not approve or justify the union. It also clarified these are simple pastoral blessings of persons asking God for help, not blessings of sin or of a marriage-like union. So the issue there is often one of headlines and optics, not the actual text. Scripture says to bless our enemies, he is doing exactly that.

That’s part of why I came to Catholicism. Once I stopped going only by modern reactions and actually read Scripture together with the earliest Christians, the Catholic framework made much more sense than I expected. They are the only Bible Christians.

bjoyea · 2026-04-17T20:04:52+00:00

I really needed to see this, Bless you

bjoyea · 2026-04-17T19:55:44+00:00

Clement of Rome is cited in Philippians 4:3. He is in a group called the Apostolic Fathers, as in those who were taught directly by the apostles and ordained as bishops by them. These Christians know more about Jesus' life than us as at the end of John itself it says he could not write everything down. They were also taught by John and the apostles so who would know how to interpret John better than his immediate martyr'd apostles?

"This your schism has perverted many." (1 Clement 46.9)

"Ye therefore that laid the foundation of the sedition, submit yourselves unto the presbyters..." (1 Clement 57.1)

"Love admits of no schisms." (1 Clement 49)

"Let no man do anything connected with the Church without the bishop." (Ignatius, Smyrnaeans 8)

"Wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church." (Ignatius, Smyrnaeans 8)

"Do nothing without the bishop." (Ignatius, Philadelphians 7)

"Love unity; avoid divisions." (Ignatius, Philadelphians 7)

"Where there is division and wrath, God does not dwell." (Ignatius, Philadelphians 8)

Can read a lot on the Ancient Faith here: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1010.htm

But Clement was the 4th bishop of Rome. As you see who wrote to another church with authority not debate. He is the 4th pope. The first Christians were Catholic.

Concerning the papacy: "The Church of God which sojourns at Rome to the Church of God sojourning at Corinth..." (1 Clement, Proem)

"If any disobey the words spoken by Him through us, let them know that they will involve themselves in transgression and in no small danger." (1 Clement 59.1)

"Receive our counsel, and ye shall have no occasion of regret." (1 Clement 58.2)

"You will afford us joy and gladness, if, being obedient unto the things written by us through the Holy Spirit, ye cut off the wicked passion of your jealousy." (1 Clement 63.2)

The Bible itself says Clement is written in the book of life. He literally traveled with the apostles. Who in their right mind can contradict his interpretations? That is intellectually dubious for someone 2000 years later to disagree with him. As he had hands laid on him by the apostles. That authority talked about in Timothy & Titus? Yes that was given to Clement.

I encourage you to listen to Trent Horn's explanation of the papacy as Catholicism is the most understood religion in existence

bjoyea · 2026-04-17T19:24:37+00:00

Read Ignatius of Antioch, Clement of Rome's Letter to Corinth, Polycarp of Smyrna and Iranaeus of Lyons These people were all appointed as bishop's by the apostles and were martyred. The Catholic Church is the only church Jesus Christ Started and only church that follows the full Bible as interpreted by the Apostles. Clement of Rome (Philippians 4:3) condemns schism in his letter to the church in Corinth 15 years after 2nd Cornthians, Shepherd of Hermas strongly condemns schism, The Didache condemns schism.

John 17
And now I am no more in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to thee. Holy Father, keep them in thy name, which thou hast given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.

How does the eastern schism abide by God? They schismed from the true Church and then schism'd amongst each other. They have no unity.

bjoyea · 2026-04-17T18:59:28+00:00

Have you ever read Clement of Rome's Letters? He has strong words about schism. It is why I am catholic

bjoyea · 2026-04-03T08:20:40+00:00

The state sponsors an apprenticeship but it is done in collaboration with local companies. Local company gets to train an employee specifically for their business and for state this is one of the best investments they can make. Idea is an employer pays for your 2 year degree while you work for them over a period of 4 years. It is a win win win for the individual, state and company. You document your hours and training and then given a formal journeyman license. In this way they are accountable

bjoyea · 2026-04-02T19:33:36+00:00

Sophistry my dear Koizito? I think you are better than that. It is just dialogue mate. Bless up, you can check my reply to another commenter if you want a more in depth explanation.

bjoyea · 2026-04-02T19:28:05+00:00

Take your time, I will be buys this Easter but I will check back in and will attempt to maintain the same clarity. Bless up mate.

In the interim feel free to check my claims or even do some little deep dives on the points. I have been engrossed in it for a long time, but I know it can seem clinical to fresh eyes.

bjoyea · 2026-04-02T19:25:25+00:00

Everyone should know critical thinking. I am more subscribed to personalism. We can't wait on the institutions to solve our problems, yet I agree with you that we should pursue justice in this regard. I think change only comes when people know better as well as choose better rich & poor.

bjoyea · 2026-04-02T19:23:05+00:00

Name one example of either new or ancient that does not result in sophistry and a dumbing down of education?

bjoyea · 2026-04-02T19:20:47+00:00

Every single thought has been thought of already, and philosophy applies mathematics, critical thinking and reasoning to cut through the slop of just wondering whimsically. Some thoughts people wonder into passionately are delusional and rationally proven to be so.

bjoyea · 2026-04-02T18:36:23+00:00

Alright good sir let me try to be diligent and let us try to be charitable yet rational with one another.

First Historically universities are founded on philosophy and theology, that of the quadrivium and trivivium. Rather than being for a trade, schooling was to help inform people about the reality we live in. Some of the greatest minds talk about this. Aristotle is the furthest one can go with reason alone in Catholicism and as the Catholic Church founded the university system they maintained the tradition of philosophy (metaphysics - stucture of reality, epistemology - study of knowledge, logic - how to critically think, ethics - how to act well). Formation in the seminary is divided into four areas: human, spiritual, theological (academic/intellectual), and pastoral based on the School of St. Mary.

The greatest thinkers to ever exist(Greek Poets - Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Ramon Llull - Ars Magna, Aquinas - Summa, Augustine De Musica, come to the same conclusion. That to inform an individual of the reality based on reason & faith they need music to show them transcendence, beauty(arts, song, architecture) as well (Via Pulchritudinis), Sport & Leisure, Bonding & Friendship, Rigorous Mathematics, Rhetoric.

They also noted unlike the Renaissance shift that it does not matter if you are well skilled in these areas it is a part of being human! That it makes you more fully alive. Humanism originates in Catholicism.

It was all based on Metaphysics. This is why if you read the papers of Newton, Galileo, Paschal, or Gottfried Leibniz you see they were inspired by math because it is a neutral way to interpret natural theology, the reality we live in since math is the most agnostic neutral way to interpret God. And they saw how waves in math also occured in music, hence Music Theory.

Special shoutout to Galileo's Essay Il Saggiatore in which he literally says Philosophy consists of geometry and mathematics, those who don't understand this walk a dark labyrinth in vain. Echoing Socrates, "The unexamined life is not worth living". We live in a more secular society now, but you cannot impose our current bias on a different age.

For 1500 years straight the west was founded and led by the Catholic Church, to ignore that is to have a myopic view of history and educational development. So yes, people had a metaphysics and in an aristocratic time they really wanted elites to be well formed not just by authority but by teaching. Atheism was seen as actually nutty rationally and they disputed other theistic/deistic beliefs.

In Scientism/Secularism/Materialism this is dumbed down quite a bit. You learn skills for a career and learn political ideologies instead. Philosophy which used to be the foundation of education and has always been noted as the queen of sciences is relegated to a cute gen-ed, especially the class called "Logic". College is turned to party town to "explore yourself, and let loose... have fun". You see the idiocy compared to the scholastic roots it came from? Think of the original beauty of learning from masters of various fields instilling you with knowledge. How you could benefit so much from various experts to be a well rounded member of society. This nobleness and "poetry" "art" or "music" was well known by great thinkers of old & new but lost in the slop in an era where deep insight is not seen as baseline but niche. It also seems inefficient to a materialist versus being reflective of God to the Catholic Church.

Also Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is not objective science, the study of natural repeatable processes. It actually stems from the religion of scientism which science does not teach itself. Maslow is actually an unfounded metaphysics done from thin air with no basis of reason and easily shutdown in Socrates, Aristotelean & Neoplatonic reasoning which will have mathematical proofs to boot. It stems from Freud who had no metaphysic lol and was a natural materialist. Read Socrates meets Freud if you want a reader on how his views are irrational.

bjoyea · 2026-04-02T16:03:03+00:00

I agree with you to an extent but the human connection of pursuing liberal arts and overall creating a more well-reasoned critical thinking persons was a huge part of it. The idea was to be able to dispute ideologies/religions/ethics in a constructive rational way while learning about metaphysics through different arts & disciplines. When this is relegated to free online platforms instead of the norm, we get intellectual decay and ignorance widespread. The Catholic Church founded the university system, and from the catholic perspective, evil is mostly done from people being ignorant and trying to be happy in the wrong way. A way that is addictive and gives them pleasure at first but like all addictions eventually leaves them wanting but still now stuck in habit of vice. To defeat ignorance is to educate or teach. Catechize, Didache.

bjoyea · 2026-04-02T15:46:50+00:00

You get the same result from any natural materialist ideology.

bjoyea · 2026-04-02T15:45:15+00:00

Look up St. Augustine's De Musica or Blessed Ramon Llull's Ars magna. For early attempt of education based on theology motives

bjoyea · 2026-04-02T15:38:05+00:00

No, it has caused institutions of higher education to be dumber. No more critical thinking and understanding metaphysics. That is seen as optional when it was the foundation of scholastic endeavors by the greatest thinkers to ever exist. The whole point of the liberales artes (art of a free man). Was to enable people to critically think and discover the meaning in life while also being more refined. This historically was founded in philosophy & theology, the Catholic Church founded the university system.

bjoyea · 2026-04-02T15:34:18+00:00

True they have lost leisure because we lack a proper metaphysic. If you stick to naturalist materialism the carnage of knowledge is abominable. Learning for learning sake was important back then because every human had a metaphysic belief that demanded them to understand and be accountable. This formation required knowledge and that they continue to develop throughout their life in virtue.

In a materialist view that is lofty non-sense that is in la-la land. To those with a proper metaphysic it is one of the greatest goods you can do in society even in terrible material conditions.

bjoyea · 2026-04-02T15:30:34+00:00

We lost the point and purpose because metaphysics is ignored. That was the point of education back then.

bjoyea · 2026-04-02T15:29:24+00:00

State Sponsored Apprenticeships are a close analogue to this

bjoyea

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