Seminex 2.0, a Conversation with Rev. Dr. Greg Schulz

In 'Ideas Have Consequences,' Richard M. Weaver argues that the decline of Western civilization is a result of the increasing acceptance of relativism over absolute reality. Despite advancements in knowledge, this shift away from the realist intellectual tradition has weakened Western society's capacity for reason, leading to catastrophic consequences for social order and individual rights. Weaver proposes a remedy in the renewed acceptance of absolute reality and the recognition that ideas, like actions, have consequences. The book also includes a foreword by Roger Kimball and an afterword by Ted J. Smith III, providing additional context and insights into Weaver's work and its historical significance.

Jacques Derrida's "Specters of Marx" is a significant work in post-structuralist theory. It re-examines Marx's work, focusing on the concept of the specter and its relation to the present. Derrida explores the enduring relevance of Marx's ideas in the context of contemporary globalization. The book's engagement with Marx's thought and its exploration of the specter as a figure of haunting and return remain highly influential.

Hans-Georg Gadamer's "Truth and Method" is a seminal work in hermeneutics, the theory of interpretation. Gadamer challenges traditional epistemological approaches, arguing that understanding is always situated within a historical and cultural context. He emphasizes the role of dialogue and tradition in shaping our understanding of the world. The book's influence extends to various fields, including philosophy, literary theory, and the humanities. Gadamer's work continues to be studied and debated.

Written between 1661 and 1675 and published posthumously in 1677, *Ethics* is a comprehensive philosophical work divided into five parts. It addresses the nature of God, concluding that God is intrinsic to the universe rather than outside it. The treatise dissects the human mind and body, explores the notion of free will and good and evil, and analyzes the origin and strength of emotions. Spinoza argues that reason is the sole means to achieve virtue and freedom from emotional bondage. The work is characterized by its use of Euclid's step-by-step logical method to prove various propositions.