Thomas Storck

Most people who study economics are introduced to a model which understands economic activity as based upon the constant desire of the "economic man" to maximize his welfare. As a result it is held that economic behavior can be reduced to a series of graphs in which supply and demand are brought into harmony. The economy is seen as akin to a gigantic machine. In this book Thomas Storck challenges this economic model in two ways. He points out that this understanding of economics fails to recognize the complexities of human behavior, and moreover insists that economic activity has a moral dimension based on the inherent purpose of the economy as something which is meant to serve society, not dominate it. Storck contrasts his approach with that of the late Nobel Prize winner in Economics, Paul Samuelson, and by means of frequent quotations from Samuelson the book becomes a lively dialogue between two fundamentally different approaches to understanding economics.

Most people who study economics are introduced to a model which understands economic activity as based upon the constant desire of the "economic man" to maximize his welfare. As a result it is held that economic behavior can be reduced to a series of graphs in which supply and demand are brought into harmony. The economy is seen as akin to a gigantic machine. In this book Thomas Storck challenges this economic model in two ways. He points out that this understanding of economics fails to recognize the complexities of human behavior, and moreover insists that economic activity has a moral dimension based on the inherent purpose of the economy as something which is meant to serve society, not dominate it. Storck contrasts his approach with that of the late Nobel Prize winner in Economics, Paul Samuelson, and by means of frequent quotations from Samuelson the book becomes a lively dialogue between two fundamentally different approaches to understanding economics.

Which Gospel are you following? In the United States, the Prosperity Gospel's tenets, spread widely by many Protestant preachers, have crept into the Catholic Church. Where did the "Prosperity" Gospel come from? And how has it embedded itself so deeply in this country? In this book, Thomas Storck demonstrates the deep roots that the unrestrained desire for gain has in this country. He argues that the exclusion of serious religious discourse from American public life has led to the public square being emptied of all transcendence, reducing every aspect of social life to material gain: politics, the economy, education, science, the arts, and even religion itself. How many of we Americans' ordinary activities are undertaken solely for worldly comfort--with no reference to anything beyond this life, or even to our society's common good? How deeply have we ourselves been affected by the allures of riches and wealth? Here is a book that will expose one of the heresies that most vilely distorts the teachings of Christ: the Prosperity Gospel. Our treasure can only be found in heaven, not on earth. We must know the culture we live in that affects our daily living so that we can strive to be children of light and protect ourselves against the temptations of our times so that His will can be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

In the last few years more and more Catholics have begun taking seriously Pope Leo XIII's teaching on the relationship between Church and state. As a result, they have come to see the fundamental deficiencies of the liberalism that has dominated Western culture for over 200 years. But if liberalism, with its doctrine that limits the concerns of the political community to merely this-worldly matters, is erroneous, what is to be put in its place? And further, how would that alternative actually look in practice? In this book, the first edition of which appeared in 1998, Thomas Storck offers a sketch of a possible Catholic political order. Although at the moment discussion of a Catholic political regime is far outside the realm of the practical, in the author's opinion it is never a waste of time to order our thinking and our ideas. Thus it is worthwhile to consider how a Catholic political order might function, what laws, institutions and policies might help it accomplish its task of protecting a Catholic culture and the faith of ordinary believers.

In the last few years more and more Catholics have begun taking seriously Pope Leo XIII's teaching on the relationship between Church and state. As a result, they have come to see the fundamental deficiencies of the liberalism that has dominated Western culture for over 200 years. But if liberalism, with its doctrine that limits the concerns of the political community to merely this-worldly matters, is erroneous, what is to be put in its place? And further, how would that alternative actually look in practice? In this book, the first edition of which appeared in 1998, Thomas Storck offers a sketch of a possible Catholic political order. Although at the moment discussion of a Catholic political regime is far outside the realm of the practical, in the author's opinion it is never a waste of time to order our thinking and our ideas. Thus it is worthwhile to consider how a Catholic political order might function, what laws, institutions and policies might help it accomplish its task of protecting a Catholic culture and the faith of ordinary believers.

The questions in Seeing the World with Catholic Eyes are meant to elicit provocative answers. The book begins with an exploration of his early life and intellectual background. What were the factors that helped shape his life as a public intellectual? Thomas Storck then answers questions related to the Church and some of the controversies that are being discussed today. Then-in the largest section of the book-he answers questions on Catholic social teaching. This is the theme that is fascinating because one of the errors many Catholics have accepted today is the idea that the Church exists solely for an ethereal goal. The Church exists to lead people to heaven but the day-to-day workings of "real life"-so they argue-are best left to the certified "experts" who alone can provide the principles to ensure a successful life. Thomas Storck views the Church and her robust social teachings as central to helping Catholics create an environment where justice and charity can operate harmoniously. His thinking on distributism-an economic theory easily misunderstood-shows that the goal is ultimately that economic activity be oriented toward fulfilling "our needs and reasonable desires" and as such is in line with Catholic social teaching. With Thomas Storck's works, and in what we hope will be a compelling book, you are presented with a mind that has thought, and thought deeply upon the Catholic faith and all the ways it must animate our lives. We think the title is apt because it is truly an attempt to "see the world through Catholic eyes." Reflect upon his words. They might shake you a bit but maybe we haven't been shaken enough. The world won't be won over to Christ by half-heartedness and indifference.

The questions in Seeing the World with Catholic Eyes are meant to elicit provocative answers. The book begins with an exploration of his early life and intellectual background. What were the factors that helped shape his life as a public intellectual? Thomas Storck then answers questions related to the Church and some of the controversies that are being discussed today. Then-in the largest section of the book-he answers questions on Catholic social teaching. This is the theme that is fascinating because one of the errors many Catholics have accepted today is the idea that the Church exists solely for an ethereal goal. The Church exists to lead people to heaven but the day-to-day workings of "real life"-so they argue-are best left to the certified "experts" who alone can provide the principles to ensure a successful life. Thomas Storck views the Church and her robust social teachings as central to helping Catholics create an environment where justice and charity can operate harmoniously. His thinking on distributism-an economic theory easily misunderstood-shows that the goal is ultimately that economic activity be oriented toward fulfilling "our needs and reasonable desires" and as such is in line with Catholic social teaching. With Thomas Storck's works, and in what we hope will be a compelling book, you are presented with a mind that has thought, and thought deeply upon the Catholic faith and all the ways it must animate our lives. We think the title is apt because it is truly an attempt to "see the world through Catholic eyes." Reflect upon his words. They might shake you a bit but maybe we haven't been shaken enough. The world won't be won over to Christ by half-heartedness and indifference.