The Saad Truth with Dr. Saad Dr. James Hankins - The Golden Thread: A History of the Western Tradition (The Saad Truth with Dr. Saad_900)
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Oct 20, 2025 
Dr. James Hankins, a Harvard historian and author of *The Golden Thread*, dives into the importance of Renaissance studies and its influence on the Western tradition. He explores the fascinating life of Leonardo da Vinci and discusses the cyclical nature of Western history through recurring renaissances. Hankins critiques modern campus ideologies and emphasizes the value of classical learning preserved by Christianity. He also touches on the decline of meritocracy in academia and advocates for revitalizing Western Civ education, particularly for homeschoolers.
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The Golden Thread Framework
- Hankins frames the Western tradition as four connected civilizations linked by a "golden thread" from Greece and Rome through Christendom to modern Europe.
- He selects material by what survived into modernity and by its role in that continuous narrative.
Teach Western History As A Story
- Tell Western history as a coherent narrative instead of disjointed global snapshots.
- Use story and continuity to show crises and renewals that define the tradition.
Self-Hatred Endangers The West
- Hankins warns Western civilization is threatened chiefly by self-hatred and selective ignorance about the past.
- He argues learning the West's full history helps combat catastrophism and supports cultural renewal.
