Ascend - The Great Books Podcast A Discussion on Hesiod's Theogony
Dr. Frank Grabowski, a philosophy professor, and Thomas Lackey, an independent scholar, discuss Hesiod's Theogony, delving into themes like the primordial chaos, the role of Eros as a binding force, and Zeus's emergence as a symbol of civilization. They explore the contrasting depictions of women and the philosophical implications of suffering in learning. Additionally, they examine power dynamics between the Titans and Olympian gods, emphasizing the intertwining of divine relationships and human morality, inviting listeners to reflect on the complexities of creation and existence.
02:47:32
Chaos and Eros
- Hesiod's Chaos is not disorder, but a gap from a primordial whole splitting, creating Gaia and Tartarus.
- Eros then becomes the necessary force to bring separated things together, generating new things.
Creation from Something vs. Nothing
- Unlike the ex nihilo creation in Judeo-Christian tradition, Hesiod's cosmogony begins with pre-existing entities.
- Eros, as a binding force, allows for creation, contrasting with the accidental world creation in some other myths.
Eros as a Binding Force
- Eros in Hesiod represents fecundity and the ability of parts to combine and create new things, not direct creation.
- Aristotle uses Eros to explain how the Unmoved Mover moves all things: the universe yearns to return to God through love.
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Intro
00:00 • 4min
Hesiod: The Cosmic Poet
03:36 • 22min
Hesiod's Earthy Creation: Chaos and Primordial Gods
25:46 • 5min
Eros as a Binding Force in Creation
30:35 • 10min
The Genesis of Greek Mythology
40:23 • 23min
Mythos of Creation: Oceanus and Fate in Hesiod
01:03:32 • 14min
Learning Through Suffering: The Rise of Zeus and the Agon of Life
01:17:36 • 2min
Divine Governance and Human Relations
01:19:13 • 30min
The Allure and Peril of Beauty
01:49:07 • 7min
The Dichotomy of Love and Suffering in Hesiod
01:56:23 • 5min
Exploring Eros: The Nature of Desire and Relationships
02:01:07 • 2min
Zeus and the Titans: Power Dynamics in Mythology
02:03:28 • 29min
Divine Relationships and Human Law
02:32:08 • 11min
The Transition of Divine Concepts in Greek Literature
02:42:38 • 5min
Theogony
Hesiod
Why Literature Still Matters
None
Jason M. Baxter
Symposium
Plato
The Symposium is a philosophical dialogue written by Plato around 370 BCE. It depicts a friendly contest of extemporaneous speeches given by a group of notable Athenian men, including Socrates, Alcibiades, and Aristophanes, in praise of Eros, the god of love.
The dialogue is structured as a series of speeches, each developing the ideas of the previous one, and culminates in Socrates' speech, which recounts his conversation with the wise woman Diotima.
The work explores various aspects of love, including its benefits, its connection to philosophy, and its role in human happiness.
The setting is a banquet at the house of the tragedian Agathon, where the men engage in drinking and conversation, leading to heartfelt and noble speeches about love.
Metaphysics
Aristotle
Aristotle's Metaphysics is a collection of fourteen books exploring fundamental questions about reality, substance, change, and causality.
It delves into the nature of being, exploring concepts like potentiality and actuality, substance and accident, and the relationship between form and matter.
This work significantly influenced Western philosophy, shaping metaphysical discussions for centuries.
Its complex arguments and profound insights continue to be studied and debated by scholars today, offering a rich understanding of Aristotle's philosophical system.
The Trinitarian Christology of St. Thomas Aquinas
The Trinitarian Christology of St. Thomas Aquinas
null
Fr. Dominic Legge, O.P.
Fr.
Dominic Legge's "The Trinitarian Christology of St. Thomas Aquinas" delves into the intricate theological framework of Aquinas's understanding of the Trinity.
The book meticulously examines Aquinas's writings, offering a comprehensive analysis of his approach to the relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Legge's work is essential for scholars and students of theology seeking a deeper understanding of Aquinas's contributions to Trinitarian doctrine.
It provides a rigorous yet accessible exploration of a complex subject, clarifying key concepts and arguments.
The book's significance lies in its contribution to contemporary theological discourse, offering a fresh perspective on a timeless topic.
Enneads
Enneads
Porphyry
7 Rabbit
Plotinus
Plotinus' Enneads is a collection of philosophical treatises that explore the nature of reality, the soul, and the divine, offering a profound and systematic exposition of Neoplatonism.
Odyssey
Homer
Iliad
Homer
Oresteia
Aeschylus
Hesiod's Theogony
Hesiod's Theogony
Hesiod
Hesiod's Theogony is an ancient Greek epic poem that details the origins and genealogies of the Greek gods.
It describes the creation of the cosmos, the rise of the Titans, and the eventual triumph of Zeus and the Olympian gods.
The poem explores themes of power, order, chaos, and the relationship between gods and humans.
It is a significant source for understanding ancient Greek mythology and religious beliefs.
The Theogony's influence can be seen in later Greek literature and art.
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.
Odes
Pindar
Pindar's Odes are a collection of lyrical poems celebrating athletic victories at ancient Greek games.
They are renowned for their intricate structure, elevated language, and exploration of broader themes.
Pindar's work delves into mythology, ethics, and the human condition, offering profound reflections on life, death, and the pursuit of excellence.
His poems are characterized by their powerful imagery and philosophical depth.
The Odes remain a significant contribution to ancient Greek literature and continue to inspire readers today.
Fragments
null
Heraclitus
Heraclitus's "Fragments" are the surviving remnants of his writings, offering glimpses into his philosophical ideas.
His work emphasizes the concept of constant change and flux, famously stating that "everything flows.
" Heraclitus's philosophy explores the unity of opposites and the importance of understanding the underlying principles governing the universe.
His fragments are often cryptic and require careful interpretation, but they have had a profound influence on Western thought.
The "Fragments" remain a significant source for understanding pre-Socratic philosophy.
The Divine Comedy
Dante Alighieri
The Divine Comedy is an Italian narrative poem begun around 1308 and completed around 1321.
It is divided into three parts: Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso.
The poem discusses the state of the soul after death and presents an image of divine justice, describing Dante's travels through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven.
It is an allegory representing the soul's journey towards God, drawing on medieval Catholic theology and philosophy, especially Thomistic philosophy.
The work is considered one of the greatest in Italian literature and Western literature, and it helped establish the Tuscan language as the standardized Italian language.
Memorabilia
Xenophon
Xenophon's 'Memorabilia' is a collection of anecdotes and dialogues that portray the life and teachings of Socrates.
Written in the 4th century BC, it offers valuable insights into Socratic philosophy and its impact on ancient Greece.
The work presents Socrates as a teacher who used questioning and critical thinking to challenge conventional wisdom and encourage self-examination.
Through vivid accounts of conversations and events, Xenophon captures the essence of Socratic thought and its enduring relevance.
'Memorabilia' remains a significant historical and philosophical text, providing a rich understanding of one of history's most influential thinkers.
The consolation of philosophy
Boethius
Boethius's 'Consolation of Philosophy' is a philosophical treatise written while he awaited execution.
The work explores themes of fortune, adversity, and the nature of good and evil.
Through a dialogue between Boethius and Lady Philosophy, the text examines the relationship between God and the world, grappling with questions of divine providence and human suffering.
It offers a blend of philosophical and theological perspectives, providing solace and insight into the challenges of life.
The book remains a significant work in the history of philosophy and theology.
Deus Caritas Est
Deus Caritas Est
A short description is not available
Pope Benedict XVI
Deus Caritas Est, an encyclical letter by Pope Benedict XVI, explores the nature of Christian love.
It distinguishes between eros (romantic love) and agape (divine love), arguing that both are essential aspects of the Christian faith.
The encyclical traces the historical development of the understanding of love, highlighting its connection to the divine.
It emphasizes the importance of love as a central theme in both the Old and New Testaments.
Benedict XVI connects the concept of love to the social and political dimensions of human life, arguing that authentic love is essential for a just and flourishing society.
Divine Madness
Divine Madness
A short description is not available
Joseph Pieper
Joseph Pieper's "Divine Madness" explores the concept of divine inspiration and ecstasy, particularly within the context of religious experience.
Pieper delves into the historical and philosophical understanding of this state, examining its manifestations in various traditions.
He distinguishes between a positive, elevating madness and a negative, destructive form.
The book connects this concept to artistic creation and the experience of encountering the divine.
Pieper's work offers a nuanced perspective on the relationship between human reason and divine revelation, highlighting the role of irrationality in spiritual insight.
It remains a significant contribution to theological and philosophical discussions on inspiration and the nature of religious experience.
A short description is not available
A short description is not available
A short description is not available
F.M. Cornford
A long description is not available
The Divine Names
The Divine Names
Dionysius
Pseudo-Dionysius's "The Divine Names" is a Neoplatonic treatise exploring the attributes of God. It uses a mystical approach, emphasizing the transcendence and unknowability of the divine while also attempting to describe God's attributes through analogy.
The work profoundly influenced medieval theology and mysticism.
It is known for its rich symbolism and its exploration of the relationship between the divine and the created world.
"The Divine Names" remains a significant text in the history of Christian mysticism.
Birds
Birds
Aristophanes
Aristophanes' "Birds" is a satirical comedy exploring themes of utopia and escapism.
The play features two Athenian citizens who journey to the land of the birds, where they attempt to establish a new city in the sky.
The play satirizes Athenian politics and society, offering a humorous critique of human ambition and folly.
It is known for its imaginative flights of fancy, witty dialogue, and memorable characters.
"Birds" remains a celebrated example of ancient Greek comedy.
Dcn. Harrison Garlick, Dr. Frank Grabowski, and Mr. Thomas Lackey come together to discuss Hesiod's Theogony - a poem about the origin of the gods and the cosmos.
Key conversations:
- The role of the Muses
- The four primordial gods - especially Chaos
- Eros as the generative and binding force of the cosmos
- Zeus as a bringer of civilization
- The Prometheus myths
- Women as the beautiful evil
Hesiod is a contemporary of Homer. Homer composed the Iliad around 750 BC and the Odyssey around 725 BC, and Hesiod was active in the mid 700s and into the 600s.[1] Hesiod, like Homer, has roots in Asia Minor. His father is believed to have been a merchant who moved from Asia Minor to Mount Helicon in ancient Greece.[2]
Notably, Mount Helicon had several springs that were sacred to the Muses, and it serves as the setting of the opening of the Theogony. Hesiod lived an agricultural life working his family farm and writing poetry. Hesiod is similar to Homer insofar as both are the recipients of a large treasury of Greek mythology. Hesiod is dissimilar to Homer insofar as Hesiod most likely originally wrote his plays—as opposed to them existing first as oral rhapsodies that were then reduced to writing, like with Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey.
Check out our Musings of the Theogony written guide!
Check out our website for more resources.
[1] See A Reader’s Guide: 115 Questions on the Iliad, Ascend: The Great Books Podcast.
[2] See Ed. M. C. Howatson, Oxford Companion to Classical Literature (Oxford University Press: Oxford, 2013), 294.