Ivan Illic picks up on ideas of Hugh of St Victor who proposed that the purpose of scientific research was to aid mankind in contributing to the raising up and ultimate redemption of the natural world; in contrast the both the laissez faire attitude of modern environmentalists and the exploitative attitude of some, as first articulated by Francis Bacon.
Episode 86: Grace and Danger, Series 2, #1 Ivan Illich's insights on how government and large institutions impede beautiful spontaneous order in society
David Clayton, Fr Brad Elliot OP, Dr. Michel Accad, and Charlie Deist discuss the rediscovered ideas of Ivan Illich, who died 15 years ago, and in particular an essay from a collection called Shadow Work. His essay describes how the imposition of Castilian as the national language of Spain by Queen Isabella, became a tool of the state for control of the people. We also show how the development of communication through the printing press created a desire to control its use and has parallels today in how big institutions and governments are trying to control the flow of information through the internet.