328 - Stephen Blackwood - The Book that the West Needs
Feb 8, 2024
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Stephen Blackwood, a Canadian-American professor and social commentator, discusses the book 'The Consolation of Boethius' and its role in Medieval Western world. They explore the themes of detachment, self-possession, and the search for spiritual good. They also discuss the power of patterned language, the role of repetition and rituals in shaping understanding, and the significance of finding meaning through patterns.
Boethius's writings had a profound impact on Western medieval culture, shaping ideas for centuries after his death.
The Consolation of Philosophy emphasizes the importance of self-possession and the pursuit of spiritual fulfillment over material wealth.
Boethius's exploration of pattern, repetition, and memory highlights their role in human understanding and perception, emphasizing the significance of establishing virtuous habits and patterns.
Deep dives
Boethius's Influence on Western Medieval Culture
Boethius's writings, including his translations of Greek texts into Latin, had an immense impact on Western medieval culture for nearly a thousand years. His works, like his renowned book 'The Consolation of Philosophy,' were widely read and copied, becoming seeds of ideas that shaped the beautiful garden of Western medieval culture. Despite facing personal tragedy and a tragic death, Boethius's work continued to inspire generations long after his passing, demonstrating that the impact of our work is not always determined within our lifetimes.
The Search for Self-Possession in 'The Consolation of Philosophy'
In 'The Consolation of Philosophy,' Boethius's dialogues with the personification of philosophy, who helps him overcome his grief and find solace. The central argument revolves around the importance of self-possession, which philosophy guides Boethius to discover. Through a progression of conversations, Boethius is prompted to detach himself from external possessions and find spiritual fulfillment, realizing that true happiness is not dependent on material wealth or fame. Philosophy challenges him to recognize his own agency in creating his home and to seek the deeper spiritual goods that underlie the material things he lost.
Pattern and Memory in Boethius's Work
Boethius's work delves into the concept of pattern and memory, highlighting their role in human understanding and perception. The text emphasizes the significance of habits and patterns in shaping our experience of the world, arguing that the things we repeatedly do and expose ourselves to determine what we can perceive and comprehend. The interconnectedness between habits, memory, and the search for truth is explored, underscoring the importance of establishing virtuous patterns and habits to perceive and engage with the world in a more meaningful and harmonious way.
The Power of Pattern and Repetition
Repetition and pattern are essential for our ability to know and interpret the world. Just as an infant learns to recognize patterns and develops memories through repetition, we as humans rely on recurrence to stabilize and understand our experiences. The podcast episode suggests that through exposure to patterns and repetitions, whether in everyday rituals, cycles of nature, or even in poetry and literature, we are able to gather and interpret our memories, connect to deeper cosmic patterns, and find meaning and stability in our lives.
The Acoustic Structure of Poetry
The episode explores the idea that poetry, particularly in the case of Boethius' work, is not only a form of artistic expression but also a means of spiritual and cognitive transformation. The structure and rhythmic patterns of poetry can encode and convey meaning beyond the mere words on the page. The podcast emphasizes the power of poetic rhythms in inducing both stability and instability, thereby shaping our perception of the world. By examining the acoustic structure of poetry, the episode suggests that poetry can act as a vehicle for memory, recollection, and redemption, offering a way to comprehend and reorder our experiences and emotions.
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Stephen James Blackwood is a Canadian-American professor, academic, and social commentator. Blackwood is the founder and president of Ralston College, a liberal arts college awaiting accreditation in Savannah, Georgia. We met on the Daily Wire+ Exodus panel where he had a lot of amazing insights and we have become friends since.
In this discussion, we talk about Stephen’s wonderful book, The Consolation of Boethius as Poetic Liturgy, an exploration of The Consolation of Philosophy, a book by Boethius. We discuss Boethius’ role and contribution to the Medieval Western world and the amazing treasury of wisdom and consolation he can still offer us today. His legacy beautifully bridges and synthesizes the ancient pagan world, and a secular space, with the foundations and hope of a Christian vision.
The 2024 enrollments for Ralston College are not open: https://www.ralston.ac/humanities-ma
The Exodus series, free on Jordan Peterson’s YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL22J3VaeABQAppIsV0MmKYhGeFGJsy-dS&si=77eG5hbodzWm0HW3
Stephen Blackwood: https://www.ralston.ac/people/stephen-blackwood
Stephen’s book, The Consolation of Boethius as Poetic Liturgy: https://www.amazon.com/Consolation-Boethius-Liturgy-Christian-Studies/dp/0198718314
Ralston College is more than a university and an online portal. It is a movement dedicated to seeking the truth without censorship or shame. It is a call to build a free and flourishing culture for one and all. Read more about it: https://www.ralston.ac/
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