Join James Orr, a philosopher from Cambridge, alongside David Butterfield, a Latin professor, and Harvard's Renaissance historian James Hankins. They delve into what ignites a cultural Renaissance, examining the significance of literature, music, and architecture. Joseph Conlon advocates for the power of language learning, while Gregg Hurwitz emphasizes literature's broader resonance beyond academia. The conversation weaves in thoughts from various thinkers on how communal experiences and beauty in our surroundings can foster renewal and inspire future generations.
The podcast discusses the innate human desire for deeper meaning, highlighting a collective yearning for cultural renewal amidst contemporary dissatisfaction.
Key speakers emphasize the collapse of higher education and advocate for the necessity of sacred spaces for cultural reawakening.
The symposium underscores the importance of historical context and foundational truths to foster a flourishing culture and effective education.
The discussions stress that creativity and productivity based on contemplation, rather than utility, are essential for cultural renewal and human connection.
Participants emphasize the transformative power of community in classical education, showcasing its role in nurturing personal growth and shared purpose.
Deep dives
Search for Meaning
The podcast begins by emphasizing the innate human desire for deeper understanding and meaning in life, suggesting that many are dissatisfied with superficial information. It posits a collective yearning for renewal in culture, reflecting a perceived loss in contemporary society. The discussion highlights how various educators, thinkers, artists, and students convened to address this crisis and explore ways to cultivate a flourishing cultural environment. This sets the foundation for their inquiry into what constitutes true education and cultural renewal.
The Structure of the Symposium
The event was structured into two main segments, focusing first on theoretical discussions and then on practical applications in the real world. Esteemed scholars and artists addressed historical contexts, such as the Renaissance and classical education, examining how past ideals can inform contemporary practices. Notable speakers included classical experts and philosophers who traced the evolution of educational communities and culture over centuries. The second half featured contributions from artists and creatives who shared their perspectives on renewing culture through beauty and the arts.
Fundamental Principles for Flourishing
Key to the symposium was the assertion that establishing a flourishing culture hinges on correct foundational ideas. Speakers discussed how current ideologies often distort truths about freedom, beauty, and human potential, and called for a metaphysical realism to restore dignity in education. The need for clarity about human nature and understanding what enables personal potential to be realized was stressed. This perspective advocates that the cultivation ofhumanity requires foundational truths to guide society.
The Importance of Contemplation
An important insight shared during the discussion was that genuine creativity and productivity arise from contemplation rather than mere instrumentality. The notion is that pursuits valued solely for their utility fail to inspire genuine human connection and fulfillment. Historical examples were given, such as the contemplative environments of monastic life, which were conducive to profound cultural contributions. Advocating for a return to these spaces of reflection, the speakers emphasized that investing in non-instrumental activities is essential for cultural renewal.
Understanding Human Nature
A recurring theme was the imperative to grasp human nature to foster an effective culture. The analogy of acorns growing into mighty oaks illustrated how individual potential can be realized with proper nurturing within a supportive environment. This works as a metaphor for educational institutions, suggesting that the cultivation of a rich, supportive community is vital for personal development. Thus, understanding the conditions necessary for growth and flourishing becomes a central focus of cultural discussions.
The Role of Language in Culture
The symposium explored the significance of language as a tool for cultural transmission and personal connection. Speakers connected the study of ancient languages, such as Latin and Greek, to the development of cultural identity across generations. Language was presented as a living conduit linking individuals to their heritage and promoting community engagement. The argument highlighted that the cultivation of linguistic skills in classical texts fosters an enduring cultural dialogue necessary for renewal.
Navigating Crisis with Hope
Amid the challenges presented by modern culture, the discussions painted a picture of hope and possibility. Participants reflected on the importance of tackling disconnection within contemporary society, aiming to bridge gaps through shared narratives and collective efforts. It was emphasized that students and young people must engage courageously with the world and embody the values cultivated in their educational communities. This positive outlook was positioned as essential for inspiring meaningful change in broader society.
Creativity and the Arts as Catalysts
The conversation among the artists underscored the power of creativity in facilitating cultural renewal. Examples drawn from the experience of different art forms emphasized that beauty and artistic endeavors are vital for uplifting and transforming society. Practitioners were encouraged to embrace their traditions while innovating beyond them, thus reflecting the dual nature of honoring the past while actively contributing to the present. This perspective portrayed the arts not as mere entertainment but as essential components in the tapestry of cultural existence.
The Experiential Shift at Ralston College
The student voices reflected the transformative experience offered by Ralston College, highlighting the power of community immersion in classical education. Participants recounted their journeys towards greater self-knowledge, demonstrating how their experiences allowed them to forge lasting friendships and discover shared purpose. The impact of collaborative learning and intimate conversations within the framework of traditional education was emphasized as crucial for personal growth. It illustrated the importance of gathering in person to cultivate relationships and exchange ideas.
In February 2025, Ralston College hosted a landmark symposium in Savannah, Georgia, bringing together leading thinkers, artists, educators, and students for a searching conversation about the renewal of our shared culture.
Over the course of a wide-ranging roundtable, speakers explored the collapse of higher education, the need for sacred space, the conditions for reawakening beauty and truth, the integral importance of literature, music and architecture, and the crucial role of the young in rebuilding a meaningful culture that can inspire and endure.
This conversation is not an academic exercise in abstraction. It is the practical work of preservation—of remembering what the world has forgotten, and of laying foundations for what must come next.
The roster of speakers is as follows:
Stephen Blackwood: Why we are on the verge of renaissance
James Orr: Why America is ready for change
David Butterfield: Why colleges are the institutions to build
James Hankins: Why the Italian Renaissance emerged
Joseph Conlon: Why learning languages is essential
Gregg Hurwitz: Why literature must resonate outside academia
Jonathan Pageau: Why renewal requires in-person, communal remembrance
Samuel Andreyev: Why music needs to know its tradition to thrive
Christian Sottile: Why we need beautiful architecture
Mari Otsu: Why Ralston College was the place that changed my life
Authors, Artists, and Works Mentioned in this Episode:
Sir Isaac Newton
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz
Friedrich Hölderlin’s Patmos
Martin Heidegger
John of Patmos, a figure traditionally identified with John the Apostle or John the Evangelist
Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam
The Cambridge Five
Sir Niall Ferguson
Saint Benedict of Nursia
Flavius Magnus Aurelius Cassiodorus
Charlemagne
Alcuin of York
Walter de Merton
Gaius Marius
Marcus Tullius Cicero
Paradiso – the third and final part of Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy
Francesco Petrarca
Cola di Rienzo
Richard Wagner’s opera Rienzi
Livy (Titus Livius)
Homer
Plato
Plutarch
“JD Vance States the Obvious About Ordo Amoris” – in First Things, by James Orr
Pythagoras
Plato’s dialogue Phaedrus
Charles Dickens
Alfred Hitchcock
William Shakespeare
Metamorphoses by Publius Ovidius Naso (43 BCE – 17 CE), known as Ovid
Albert Camus – The Stranger
James M. Cain – The Postman Always Rings Twice
Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment
Edgar Allan Poe
Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray
Michelangelo Buonarroti
Pope Julius II
The Bible
Ezra Pound, quote from ABC of Reading (1934)
Professor Jeffrey Eley
Mark C. McDonald
The Medici Family
Gian Giorgio Trissino
Andrea Palladio
Otto Wagner
The Black Paintings (Las Pinturas Negras) by Francisco Goya
Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio
Peter Paul Rubens
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