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Dr. Charlie Camosy on A.I. Ethics, Avoiding a Red/Blue Binary, and Changing Your Mind

The Communion Project Podcast

What if disagreement with the people we love isn’t the enemy of communion, but a path toward it? In this episode, host Jonathan Lewis sits down with moral theologian and bioethicist Dr. Charlie Camosy to explore how Catholics can resist the red-versus-blue binary and follow the principles of their faith wherever they lead. Drawing on his upbringing in a family that disagreed vigorously while remaining rooted in love, Charlie explains how a consistent ethic of life challenges every political tribe and offers a bold alternative to polarization. Charlie also reflects on rebuilding trust among young people, the Catholic Church’s opportunity to shape the conversation about artificial intelligence, and the surprising relationships that become possible when we engage disagreement with humility and friendship. Throughout the conversation, he returns to one essential practice: always reserving the right to change your mind—about an issue, an argument, or another person.Episode Timestamps 01:10 — Growing up Catholic in rural Wisconsin and being formed by his mother’s faith 03:16 — Meaningful experiences of the Mass, from his wedding at Oxford to being seen by Cardinal Dolan 05:55 — How a family shaped by love—and political disagreement—prepared Charlie’s vocation 08:42 — Why healthy disagreement so easily hardens into division 11:31 — The principles of a consistent ethic of life 13:37 — Following an ethical principle wherever it leads 15:45 — Why Catholic faith should make us uncomfortable with every political camp 17:12 — Questioning the categories of “Republican” and “Democrat” 19:43 — The Americans who don’t fit neatly into a left-right binary 22:15 — Gen Z, declining trust, and signs of religious revival 26:05 — Artificial intelligence as an opportunity for Catholic engagement 26:28 — What a friendship with Peter Singer unexpectedly made possible 29:41 — Why we should always reserve the right to change our minds 33:40 — The Magenta series and a bold alternative to red-versus-blue Catholicism 37:32 — What breaks Charlie’s heart—and what fills it—about the Church today 39:46 — A practical exercise: remember when you changed your mind about another person 43:38 — Mary, Undoer of Knots, as a patron for difficult dialogue 44:32 — What Charlie wants newcomers to know about the Church’s intellectual traditionAbout the Guest Dr. Charlie Camosy is an associate professor of moral theology and ethics at The Catholic University of America, where he teaches moral theology and bioethics. His work focuses on bioethics, moral anthropology, Catholic social teaching, transhumanism, and the dignity of vulnerable human life. Charlie is the author of nine books, including Resisting Throwaway Culture, One Church, and Living and Dying Well. He is also the founding editor of Focolare Media’s Magenta series, which publishes bold Christian perspectives that resist polarized ideological categories.