This podcast explores the concept of transcendence and its origins, delves into different approaches to truth, discusses the role of mathematics in defining the transcendentals, and examines philosophical questions surrounding truth, goodness, and beauty. It emphasizes the importance of restraint and self-control, explores different perspectives on the objectivity of beauty, and discusses the significance of coherence, balance, and unity in storytelling and beauty.
The transcendentals of truth, goodness, and beauty go beyond our ordinary experiences and reflect something beyond the physical world, playing a role in philosophy, culture, and theology.
Beauty reflects God and encountering something beautiful can be a transcendent experience, connecting us to God and recognizing the objective nature of beauty.
The Logos, as a mediator between God and creation, allows humans to understand and connect with God and the world, reflecting the concept of truth and its ultimate source in God.
Deep dives
The Transcendentals and Their Importance
The podcast episode explores the concept of the transcendentals, which are truth, goodness, and beauty. These transcendentals go beyond our ordinary experiences and material reality. They reflect something beyond the physical world and are intimately related to philosophy, culture, and theology. The origin of the transcendentals can be traced back to Greek philosophers like Plato and Aristotle, who believed in the existence of a realm of ideal forms and recognized the purpose and order in the natural world. The biblical portrayal of God also emphasizes the ordered and purposeful creation, while Augustine further develops the idea of the transcendentals as unity, truth, and beauty. The classical approach to the transcendentals focuses on teleology, the recognition of goals and final ends, as well as the development of virtuous character and the ordering of affections. Ultimately, the transcendentals reflect God and his nature, and encountering beauty can be a transcendent experience that brings us closer to God.
Different Views of Beauty
There are different views of beauty, but the podcast highlights the transcendent view, which sees beauty as reflecting God. When we encounter something beautiful, we are actually encountering God, as beauty in the material world is a reflection of the beauty of God. This view is influenced by Plato's concept of the forms and the belief that art is a reflection of a reflection. However, as Christians, we can also see beauty as connected to God's creative work and our role as co-creators. Immanuel Kant's approach to beauty emphasizes disinterested pleasure, recognizing that encountering something beautiful brings a sense of pleasure that is not tied to personal interests or desires.
The Objectivity of Beauty
Contrary to popular belief, beauty can be seen as objective rather than purely subjective. The podcast argues that beauty is not merely a matter of personal preference, but has a transcendent nature that goes beyond individual experiences. The objectivity of beauty is rooted in its reflection of God and the natural order of creation. While personal taste and cultural influences can shape our perception of beauty, there are objective elements that can be recognized and appreciated by different individuals. This view challenges the prevailing subjectivist approach to beauty and invites us to seek and appreciate the objective beauty present in the world around us.
The Role of the Logos in Mediating Access to God
Philo, a Jewish theologian, philosopher, and commentator, discusses the Logos as a mediator between God and creation. The Logos enables humans to understand and connect with God and the world He has made. This concept has parallels with Stoic philosophy and was later popularized by Saint John in his Gospel. By referring to Jesus as the Logos, John not only alluded to the creation account in Genesis, but also sought to connect with Stoic and other philosophical traditions.
Exploring Questions of Truth and Ethics
In exploring the nature of truth, the podcast highlights important questions. First, is the world knowable? Classical philosophy views the Logos as mediating real knowledge, allowing humans to know and understand the world. Second, is there an immaterial reality connecting the mind and observation? Plato's theory of forms and the interaction between ideas and objects reflect this connection. The third question delves into the value of truth. Even adamant atheists exhibit a recognition of truth's importance, suggesting a recognition of the transcendent nature of truth. Finally, the podcast addresses the role of God as the source and end of truth, suggesting that all truth ultimately leads back to God.
