Delve into the nature of friendship as the hosts explore connections with both living and long-dead figures. They discuss how relationships shape faith, especially one's bond with Jesus. Diverse cultural expressions of friendship spark reflection, including the unique practice of men holding hands in some societies. The importance of deeply engaging with texts reveals how love for authors can foster profound understanding. Lastly, listeners are invited to upcoming retreats and community events.
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Priest Among Kant Scholars
Father Bonaventure attends mostly secular Kant scholarship conferences.
He often finds himself the only priest and sometimes the only believer in God there.
insights INSIGHT
Friendship Beyond Presence
Friendship unites minds and hearts beyond physical presence.
Books enable us to be friends with long-dead authors, creating a conversation.
insights INSIGHT
Scholarship as Friendship
Deep study of a thinker forms a friendship that shapes your thoughts.
St. Thomas Aquinas's thought has influenced Father Gregory's way of seeing and loving.
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Immanuel Kant's "Critique of Pure Reason" is a monumental work in philosophy that revolutionized epistemology and metaphysics. It explores the limits of human reason and the conditions under which knowledge is possible. Kant argues that our experience is shaped by inherent structures of the mind, known as categories of understanding. The book delves into the nature of space, time, and causality, and how these concepts structure our perception of the world. Its influence on subsequent philosophical thought is immeasurable, shaping debates on knowledge, morality, and the nature of reality.
The Road
Tom Stechschulte
Cormac McCarthy
The Road is set in a world that has been devastated by an unspecified cataclysmic event, resulting in the extinction of nearly all life on Earth. The story follows an unnamed father and his young son as they travel south along the road, carrying their meager possessions and a pistol with only two bullets. The father, suffering from a worsening respiratory condition, is determined to protect his son from the dangers of their new world, including cannibalistic marauders. Along their journey, they encounter various survivors, some of whom are cruel and others who show kindness. The novel explores themes of love, survival, and the preservation of humanity in a world devoid of hope. Ultimately, the father's health fails, and he dies, but not before ensuring his son's safety with a new family who may offer a chance for a better future[2][3][4].
Totality and Infinity
An Essay on Exteriority
Emmanuel Levinas
Emmanuel Levinas's "Totality and Infinity" is a major work in phenomenology and ethics. It challenges traditional ethical frameworks, arguing that ethics precedes ontology and is grounded in the encounter with the Other. Levinas introduces the concept of the face, emphasizing the ethical responsibility we have towards the Other's absolute singularity. The book explores the relationship between ethics, responsibility, and infinity, rejecting the totalizing tendencies of Western philosophy. Levinas's work has had a profound impact on contemporary ethical thought, influencing discussions about alterity, responsibility, and the limits of reason.
The Four Loves
C.S. Lewis
In 'The Four Loves', C.S. Lewis examines the nature of love from a Christian and philosophical perspective. He categorizes love into four types based on ancient Greek words: *storge* (affection), *philia* (friendship), *eros* (romantic love), and *agape* (the love of God). Lewis discusses the characteristics, strengths, and potential pitfalls of each type of love, emphasizing the importance of understanding and balancing these loves to avoid corruption and to draw closer to God. He also explores the distinction between 'need-love' and 'gift-love' and how these concepts relate to human experiences and divine love[1][3][4].
Summa theologica
Thomas Aquinas
The Summa Theologica is a comprehensive work divided into three parts. The first part deals with God, the creation of the world, angels, and the nature of man. The second part is subdivided into two sections: the first part of the second part discusses general principles of morality and law, while the second part of the second part addresses morality in particular, including individual virtues and vices. The third part, left unfinished by Aquinas, focuses on the person and work of Christ and the sacraments. The work also includes a posthumous supplement that concludes the third part and discusses Christian eschatology. Aquinas drew on Aristotelian and Augustinian influences and aimed to integrate faith and reason in his theological arguments[1][2][4].
Prudence: Choose Confidently
Fr. Gregory Pine O.P
Confessions
Augustine
Written in Latin between AD 397 and 400, 'Confessions' is a blend of autobiography, philosophy, theology, and critical exegesis of the Christian Bible. The first nine books are autobiographical, tracing Augustine's life from his birth to his conversion to Catholicism. He recounts his sinful youth, his involvement with Manicheism and Neoplatonism, and his eventual conversion in a Milanese garden. The last four books focus on philosophical and theological issues, including memory, time, eternity, and the interpretation of the Book of Genesis. The work is structured as a series of prayers to God, reflecting Augustine's journey of redemption and his understanding of God's grace and providence[2][4][5].
Does Fr. Bonaventure make Fr. Gregory laugh in this episode of Godsplaining? Yes. Obviously. This week, the friars discuss what friendship is, being 'friends' with authors that are 'long-dead', how Jesus is our best friend, what we can learn from philosophers who have passed on, and more.
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