Ep. 253: The Art of Thinking - From Socrates to St. Augustine | Perennial Wisdom

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Georges Bataille's 'Inner Experience' delves into the subjective experience of the sacred and its relationship to the profane world. Bataille explores the intense emotions and sensations associated with mystical experiences, emphasizing their transformative power. He challenges traditional philosophical approaches that prioritize reason and objectivity, arguing for the importance of subjective experience in understanding the human condition. The book's exploration of inner experience is intertwined with Bataille's broader critique of modern society, highlighting the alienation and lack of meaning that characterize contemporary life. Bataille's work offers a powerful affirmation of the importance of subjective experience and its potential for transcendence.

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.