Eric Adler, a Classics Professor at the University of Maryland and author, explores early 20th-century humanism through the correspondence of Irving Babbitt and Paul Elmer Moore. He discusses the shift from classical education to research universities and critiques the focus on science at the expense of the humanities. The conversation delves into Babbitt’s fierce intellect and his influence on the literary canon, alongside a personal transformation tied to Shakespeare’s legacy, blending faith with philosophical exploration.

Eric Adler, Professor of Classics at the University of Maryland, discusses the friendship and intellectual relationship between Irving Babbitt and Paul Elmer More. They explore their differing views on religion, the concept of new humanism, and the evolution of their relationship over time. They also delve into the absence of virtue in contemporary society and the legacy of these two important intellectual figures.