

Raymond Hain
Associate Professor of Philosophy and Associate Director of the Humanities Program at Providence College; scholar of Thomistic metaphysics, ethics, architecture, and literature who delivered the lecture on beauty and its relation to nature.
Top 10 podcasts with Raymond Hain
Ranked by the Snipd community

8 snips
Dec 13, 2024 • 38min
Can Beauty Save the World? | Prof. Raymond Hain
Raymond Hain, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Providence College, explores the connections between beauty, art, and faith. He discusses how a Caravaggio painting invites contemplation on beauty's role in salvation. Delving into medieval thought, Hain highlights St. Thomas Aquinas's views on beauty as essential to joy. The tension between poetry and philosophy is examined, along with J.R.R. Tolkien's concept of 'sub-creation.' Ultimately, he presents beauty as a vital link to the divine and essential for a fulfilling life.

5 snips
Mar 21, 2019 • 1h 8min
A Pilgrim’s Progress: The Christian Imagination of Flannery O’Connor| Prof. Raymond Hain
Prof. Raymond Hain discusses Flannery O'Connor's Christian imagination, highlighting themes of grace, redemption, and suffering in comparison to authors like Tolkien and Lewis. The podcast explores O'Connor's unique writing style, characters' journey towards salvation, and the concept of eucatastrophe in her stories.

4 snips
Jul 6, 2020 • 1h 4min
Does Nature Make Laws?: An Introduction to the Natural Law Tradition | Prof. Raymond Hain
Prof. Raymond Hain discusses natural law's role in Catholic teachings, influences on marriage laws, challenges in defining life, universal statements about living things, Aristotelian virtues, and societal norms in punishment.

Oct 8, 2025 • 48min
Must Beautiful Things be Natural? – Prof. Raymond Hain
Prof. Raymond Hain, an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Providence College, dives deep into the intriguing question of whether beauty must be natural. He explores Thomistic metaphysics, comparing the views of Maritain and Gilson on artistic creativity. Hain discusses beauty's connection to form and proportion, using contemporary examples from architecture and literature. He also highlights Tolkien’s tale, revealing the complex relationship between beauty, enchantment, and natural obligations. The discussion intertwines philosophy with practical implications for understanding art and beauty.

Jul 29, 2025 • 44min
The Cardinal Virtues and Living Life Well I Prof. Raymond Hain
Raymond Hain, an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Providence College, dives deep into the four cardinal virtues—prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. He explores their philosophical roots and relevance to living a flourishing life, incorporating insights from Plato, Cicero, and St. Thomas Aquinas. Hain draws connections between these virtues and themes from literature, including Tolkein's enchanting tale 'Smith of Wooten Major,' revealing how tales can embody moral lessons and the essence of character development.

Jul 22, 2025 • 39min
The Christian Imagination I Prof. Raymond Hain
Raymond Hain, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Providence College, discusses the intricate interplay between the Christian imagination and art. He reveals how literary giants like Flannery O'Connor and J.R.R. Tolkien intertwine their faith with creativity, exploring themes of hope and redemption. Hain also contrasts the beauty of creation with the depths of despair found in various literary visions. His insights highlight the transformative power of storytelling and the diverse expressions of Catholic spirituality that enrich our understanding of life and faith.

Apr 11, 2024 • 43min
A Vision for Catholic Education w/ Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P. & Prof. Raymond Hain
Father Gregory Pine and Professor Raymond Hain discuss the evolution of Catholic education, the importance of teachers in humanities education, cultivating love for liberal arts, the power of attention in teaching and prayer, virtues in liberal arts education, and reflections on the Catholic college experience.

Jan 12, 2021 • 1h 4min
Christian Imagination of Flannery O’Connor and J. R. R. Tolkien | Prof. Raymond Hain
Explore the bond between art, saints, and Christianity in relation to spiritual connection. Analyze the Christian imagination in literature, emphasizing the role of imagery and symbolism. Discover the life stories and influences that shaped authors Flannery O'Connor and J.R.R. Tolkien. Delve into the Christian inspiration behind their works, focusing on themes of redemption, grace, and hope. Compare O'Connor's dark stories with Tolkien's adventurous narratives, highlighting their unique perspectives as Christian authors.

Jul 27, 2020 • 1h 1min
The Catholic Imagination in JRR Tolkien and Flannery O'Connor | Prof. Raymond Hain
Prof. Raymond Hain discusses Catholic themes in Tolkien and O'Connor's works, emphasizing eukatastrophe for redemption. Contrasts O'Connor's distorted style with Tolkien's natural creation, exploring suffering and hope in their narratives. Analyzes Middle Earth's grace and Catholicism, highlighting influences from human oratorians and Newman's aesthetics.

Jul 13, 2020 • 40min
An Unjust Law is No Law at All | Prof. Raymond Hain
Legal expert Prof. Raymond Hain discusses the debate on ACA contraceptive mandate. Topics include political authority, just laws, St. Thomas's concept of law, eternal law's role in evaluating human laws, and obeying unjust laws.