Podcasts about platonist

This lecture discusses key ideas from the 18th century philosopher and essayist David Hume's essay "The Platonist", found in his Essays Moral, Political, and Literary, the first of his four essays that bear names of members of philosophical schools, about which he tells us: "The intention . . . is not so much to explain accurately the sentiments of the ancient sects of philosophy, as to deliver the sentiments of sects, that naturally form themselves in the world, and entertain different ideas of human life and of happiness. I have given each of them the name of the philosophical sect, to which it bears the greatest affinity." He subtitles The Platonist "the man of contemplation, and philosophical devotion", and the essay both responds to the perspectives of the two previous essays and develops a perspective that transcends them, viewing contemplation of the beauty of the universe and the benevolence of God as most valuable. To support my ongoing work, go to my Patreon site - www.patreon.com/sadler If you'd like to make a direct contribution, you can do so here - www.paypal.me/ReasonIO - or at BuyMeACoffee - www.buymeacoffee.com/A4quYdWoM You can find over 3,500 philosophy videos in my main YouTube channel - www.youtube.com/user/gbisadler You can get Hume's Essays Moral, Political, and Literary here - https://amzn.to/45AmQqs

Ralston College presents a talk by Christopher Snook, Lecturer in the Department of Classics at Dalhousie University, on St. Augustine's great autobiographical text The Confessions. This talk offers a detailed walk through of Books VII and VIII of Augustine's text in light of Augustine's “abiding preoccupation with the nature of the created order.”  Snook explores how Augustine absorbed the  insights of Platonist philosophers like Plotinus and Porphyry but also moved beyond them as he sought a more embodied account of the nature of the human person. Augustine's own conversion stresses the importance of encountering models for life and reveals the centrality of the incarnate Logos to the Christian understandings of self-realization. This lecture was delivered on January 9th, 2025 at Ralston College's Savannah campus during the third term of the MA in the Humanities program. Support Ralston College's mission to revive the conditions of a free and flourishing culture. Authors and Works Mentioned in this Episode: Dante, The Divine Comedy Cicero, Hortensius T.S. Eliot, The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock St. Ambrose Plotinus Porphyry Gaius Marius Victorinus Plato, The Republic Virgil, The Aeneid  Iamblichus Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol St. Anthony the Great John Scotus Eriugena Anselm of Canterbury Martin Luther Rene Decartes  

Stand Up is a daily podcast that I book,host,edit, post and promote new episodes with brilliant guests every day. Please subscribe now for as little as 5$ and gain access to a community of over 700 awesome, curious, kind, funny, brilliant, generous souls Check out StandUpwithPete.com to learn more GET TICKETS TO PODJAM II In Vegas March 27-30 Confirmed Guests! Professor Eric Segall, Dr Aaron Carroll, Maura Quint, Tim Wise, JL Cauvin, Ophira Eisenberg, Christian Finnegan and More! Katherine Stewart has been covering religious nationalism and the assault on American democracy for over 15 years. Her latest book, The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism, was awarded first place for Excellence in Nonfiction Books by the Religion News Association as well as a Morris D. Forkosch award. Her previous book, The Good News Club: The Christian Right's Stealth Assault on America's Children covered the religious right's efforts to infiltrate and undermine public education. Stewart writes for The New York Times opinion, New Republic and many others, and has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, and NPR. In 2020 The Power Worshippers was acquired by producers Rob Reiner and Michele Reiner, who subsequently based their documentary feature film, God & Country, on the book. Stewart's latest book Money Lies and God is available for preorder today! Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy In 2020, just months before the presidential election, acclaimed journalist Katherine Stewart released The Power Worshippers, a brilliantly reported book that acted as a wake-up call to readers: Christian nationalism must be taken seriously as a significant threat to the American republic and our democratic freedoms. The Power Worshippers cemented Stewart as a go-to authority on Christian nationalism and the current threats to American democracy, and inspired the recent documentary God & Country, produced by Rob Reiner. Stewart's explosive follow-up, MONEY, LIES, AND GOD: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy (February 18, 2025) exposes the inner workings of the “engine of unreason” roiling American culture and politics, but aims at a bigger and more challenging target: how did we get to the point where there is an organized political movement within the United States that is working to destroy American Democracy? Furthermore, why have so many Americans turned against democracy? In this deeply researched book, Katherine Stewart takes readers to conferences of conspiracy-mongers, backroom strategy gatherings, and services at extremist houses of worship, and profiles the people who want to tear it all down. She introduces us to reactionary Catholic activists, atheist billionaires, pseudo-Platonist intellectuals, self-appointed apostles of Jesus, disciples of Ayn Rand, women-hating opponents of “the gynocracy,” pronatalists preoccupied with the dearth of white babies, Covid truthers, militia members masquerading as “concerned moms” and battalions of spirit warriors who appear to be inventing a new style of religion even as they set about attacking democracy at its foundations. Along the way, she provides a compelling analysis of the authoritarian reaction in the United States. She demonstrates that the movement relies on several distinct constituencies, with very different and often conflicting agendas. Stewart's reporting and comprehensive political analysis helps reframe the conversation about the moral collapse of conservatism in America and points the way forward toward a democratic future. Join us Thursday's at 8EST for our Weekly Happy Hour Hangout!  Pete on Blue Sky Pete on Threads Pete on Tik Tok Pete on YouTube  Pete on Twitter Pete On Instagram Pete Personal FB page Stand Up with Pete FB page All things Jon Carroll  Follow and Support Pete Coe Buy Ava's Art  Hire DJ Monzyk to build your website or help you with Marketing

St. Anicius Manlius Severius Boethius's book The Consolation of Philosophy, which he wrote in prison while awaiting martyrdom around the year 524, is one of the single most influential works for medieval philosophy and theology. But Boethius also owed much to the pagan philosophy that came before him.  Thomas Ward has just written a commentary on Boethius's dialogue for Word on Fire, entitled After Stoicism: Last Words of the Last Roman Philosopher. Topics discussed include: Boethius's debt to Stoic ethics and how he critiques the Stoic view of happiness The influence of neo-Platonist philosophy on Boethius Questions about the account of deification given by Lady Philosophy - is it more Platonist than Christian? Boethius's brilliant arguments about how God's way of knowing differs from ours Links Thomas Ward, After Stoicism: Last Words of the Last Roman Philosopher https://bookstore.wordonfire.org/products/after-stoicism?srsltid=AfmBOopBRfuMW6DMx_iUEH9u2gjSswySJAZ__JrdTznAIpZ3Ptj9mDMJ Way of the Fathers episode on Boethius https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/st-boethius-church-father-and-medieval-scholar/ DONATE to make this show possible! http://catholicculture.org/donate/audio SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters

In the first of a short series of synoptic episodes looking at the esoteric in ancient Platonism as a whole, we approach the scale of virtues, the ladder by which the Platonist sage, following in the footsteps of Socrates, was to practice ascent to likeness with the gods, while still engaging in daily life.

Jive Book Review of Theurgy and the Soul by Gregory Shaw, Professor of Religious Studies at Stonehill College. In this work he outlines the philosophy and ritual practise of Iamblichus of Syria (ca. 240 325), whose teachings set the final form of pagan spirituality prior to the Christianization of the Roman Empire. Theurgy literally means "divine action" or "godly work"I describe how this work is useful for modern polythesists including Heathens like myself.

How does one interpret the hidden meaning of a pagan myth? Some wise Platonist pagan authors help us to understand this, since they explained it in plain writing. One such author is Sallust aka Sallustius the neoplatonist, others include Emperor Julian and Plotinus. In this video I look at how Sallust's writing on the gods and the cosmos help us to understand not only myth, but also the meaning of rites and sacrifices and why they are so important for pagans. Originally recorded January 2019.This podcast depends on your support:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/survivethejiveSubscribeStar: https://www.subscribestar.com/survive-the-jiveTelegram: https://t.me/survivethejive

We discuss how Platonist philosophical teaching played out at Alexandria before Justinian's edict of 529 and in its aftermath. Featuring cameo appearances from the fall of the western Roman empire and Horapollo's Hieroglyphika.

In S4E13 - the ARCANVM S4 finale - I sit down with with philosopher, Platonist, and content creator Eric Orwoll. Eric's work in dialogue with various collaborators has positioned him as an outstanding voice in the study of Platonism. Specifically, his work in reviewing the Iamblichean curriculum of the Platonic dialogues, Proclus' Elements of Theology, and the dissertations and essays of Thomas Taylor on the various aspects of Platonism and Neoplatonism are among what I consider to be the most important influences in my own work. Eric: https://www.youtube.com/@understandingplato1134 https://returntotheland.org For all things Ike be sure to visit: https://ikebaker.com Support Arcanvm on Patreon: https://patreon.com/arcanvm Follow on IG: @a.r.c.a.n.v.m Facebook: https://facebook.com/arcanvvm Contact: arcanvvm@gmail.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/arcanvm/support

Send us a textWe start this conversation with returning guest Katherine Stewart, acclaimed author and journalist, who takes us behind the scenes of the Democratic National Convention, where she moderated a groundbreaking interfaith panel that explored the shifting landscape of faith in American politics. The panel featured prominent Congressman Jared Huffman and Congressman Jamie Raskin, two members of the Congressional Freethought Caucus and Professor Khyati Joshi, a scholar and thought leader on the intersecting issues of race, religion and immigration in the United States.The conversation then turned towards the growing movement of evangelicals who are breaking away from traditional conservative alignments and finding common ground with the Democratic Party's focus on the common good and social justice. We then shift to explore the diversity within evangelicalism in America and the influence of the religious right on politics and society. Recent reporting: Anti-Trump evangelical Christians make the case for Harris  Finally, Katherine gives us a bit of a teaser about her new and upcoming book, "Money, Lies, and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy" coming out early 2025. In the book, Katherine sheds light on the powerful forces driving the Christian nationalist movement, funded by billionaires with an agenda that extends far beyond religious conviction.In her deeply reported book, Katherine Stewart explores the alarming rise of anti-democratic sentiment in America by immersing readers in the world of conspiracy theorists, extremist churches, and reactionary political movements. She profiles a diverse array of actors—from reactionary Catholic activists to atheist billionaires, and from pseudo-Platonist intellectuals to militia members—who, despite their conflicting agendas, are united in their efforts to undermine democracy. Through her meticulous reporting and analysis, Stewart sheds light on the authoritarian backlash in the U.S., revealing the moral decline of conservatism and offering insights into how democracy can be safeguarded in the future.Her previous book, "The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism" was turned into a Rob Reiner Documentary 'God & Country.' We were fortunate to have spoken with the director Dan Portland about the film, you can watch the interview here: https://youtu.be/qNLH7pzNNW4?si=nOKdnd88gQRKjrHVLinks to both of Katherine's books are below: The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism Money, Lies, and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy (Pre-Order) To learn more about our guest, visit her website: https://katherinestewart.me/about/Support the Show.To learn more about the show, contact our hosts, or recommend future guests, click on the links below: Website: https://www.faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/ Faithful Host: Josh@faithfulpoliticspodcast.com Political Host: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.com Twitter: @FaithfulPolitik Instagram: faithful_politics Facebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast LinkedIn: faithfulpolitics Subscribe to our Substack: https://faithfulpolitics.substack.com/

Continuing with guest Chris Sunami, mostly discussing "The Good or The One," though we start off by completing "The Descent of the Soul" about why there is something rather than nothing, given that materiality is so undesirable compared to The One. Get more at partiallyexaminedlife.com. Visit partiallyexaminedlife.com/support to get ad-free episodes and tons of bonus discussion, including a supporter-exclusive part three coming out this week. Sponsor: Check out the Subtitle podcast at subtitlepod.com. Learn about our new book at partiallyexaminedlife.com/book.

Welcome to Episode 232 of Lucretius Today. This is a podcast dedicated to the poet Lucretius, who wrote "On The Nature of Things," the most complete presentation of Epicurean philosophy left to us from the ancient world. Each week we walk you through the Epicurean texts, and we discuss how Epicurean philosophy can apply to you today. If you find the Epicurean worldview attractive, we invite you to join us in the study of Epicurus at EpicureanFriends.com. Today we are continuing to review the Epicurean sections of Cicero's "On the Nature of The Gods," as presented by the Epicurean spokesman Velleius. Today's Text XII. ... What shall I say of Democritus, who classes our images of objects, and their orbs, in the number of the Gods; as he does that principle through which those images appear and have their influence? He deifies likewise our knowledge and understanding. Is he not involved in a very great error? And because nothing continues always in the same state, he denies that anything is everlasting, does he not thereby entirely destroy the Deity, and make it impossible to form any opinion of him? Diogenes of Apollonia looks upon the air to be a Deity. But what sense can the air have? or what divine form can be attributed to it? It would be tedious to show the uncertainty of Plato's opinion; for, in his Timæus, he denies the propriety of asserting that there is one great father or creator of the world; and, in his book of Laws, he thinks we ought not to make too strict an inquiry into the nature of the Deity. And as for his statement when he asserts that God is a being without any body—what the Greeks call ἀσώματος—it is certainly quite unintelligible how that theory can possibly be true; for such a God must then necessarily be destitute of sense, prudence, and pleasure; all which things are comprehended in our notion of the Gods. He likewise asserts in his Timæus, and in his Laws, that the world, the heavens, the stars, the mind, and those Gods which are delivered down to us from our ancestors, constitute the Deity. These opinions, taken separately, are apparently false; and, together, are directly inconsistent with each other. Xenophon has committed almost the same mistakes, but in fewer words. In those sayings which he has related of Socrates, he introduces him disputing the lawfulness of inquiring into the form of the Deity, and makes him assert the sun and the mind to be Deities: he represents him likewise as affirming the being of one God only, and at another time of many; which are errors of almost the same kind which I before took notice of in Plato.

On selections from the Enneads (270 C.E.), as presented by Elmer O'Brien as the first four essays in The Essential Plotinus: "Beauty," "The Intelligence, Ideas and Being," "The Descent of the Soul," and "The Good or The One." Featuring Mark, Wes, Dylan, Seth, and guest Chris Sunami. Get more at partiallyexaminedlife.com. Visit partiallyexaminedlife.com/support to get ad-free episodes and tons of bonus discussion. If you like our show, check out the Fearvana podcast. Learn about our new book at partiallyexaminedlife.com/book (which Chris edited).

We discuss Proclus' titanic labours in the field of commentary – on many Platonic dialogues, but also on the Chaldæan Oracles, the Homeric poems, and a number of other texts – with Graeme Miles, an acute reader of Platonist philosophy and part of the team translating Proclus' Republic commentary into English. Come for Platonic commentary as spiritual practice, stay for the kosmic-astrological reading of the Myth of Er.

In this episode, Joe and Kyle interview Lenny Gibson, Ph.D.: philosopher, Grof-certified Holotropic Breathwork® facilitator, 20-year professor of transpersonal psychology at Burlington College, and the reason Joe and Kyle met many years ago. He talks about his early LSD experiences and how his interest in the philosophy of Plato and Alfred North Whitehead provided a framework and language for understanding a new mystical world where time and space were abstractions. He believes that while culture sees the benefits of psychedelics in economic terms, the biggest takeaway from non-ordinary states is learning that value is the essence of everything. And as this is being released on Bicycle Day, he discusses Albert Hofmann's discovery and whether or not it's fair to say that Hofmann intentionally had the experience he did on that fateful day. He also discusses: The end of Cartesian thinking and the need for a new understanding of reality that incorporates the insights of quantum mechanics How philosophy has been taught as an intellectual endeavor, and how we need to embrace the practical and conceptual side of life John Dewey and quantitative thinking, William James and pragmatism, and was Aristotle a Platonist? The novelty of the creation of LSD, and how it gave us a path to a mystical experience that wasn't culturally bound and more! For links, head to the show notes page. 

We turn to the final flowering of polytheist Platonist philosophy, centred on Athens (and Alexandria). We review some useful historical data, discuss the history of ‘the Academy' as a notional ‘school' in antiquity, and introduce Plutarch of Athens and Syrianus, teachers of the great Proclus.

Waweru calls Eliezer Yudkowsky a Platonist, Liam says Plato is a Christian, and We realize metaphysics is hard.RestrictionUntilage50forthefollowing:Music of the Aeolian and Lydian modesDiscussion of unplatonic modes of thought Next week we will talk about reread the Just City. You  can also now support us on patreon! you should, it will make you a better person in the only way that matters-the eyes of the hosts.Support the show

This episode provides an overview of Middle Platonism, a revival of Plato's philosophy that emerged in the 1st century BC. We explore key Platonist beliefs like the existence of a Supreme Being and divine Ideas. The episode also discusses Platonism's influence on early Christian thinkers. Episode Overview Platonism declined after Plato's death but revived in the 1st century BC as Middle Platonism Middle Platonists believed in a Supreme Being and divine Ideas that were the source of reality They saw the material world as inferior to the spiritual realm of Ideas This philosophy was seen as a journey of the soul toward union with the divine Platonism influenced early Christian thinkers on issues like Christ's divinity and the body/soul distinction Discussion Questions How can we make sure philosophy does not lead us astray from God's truth revealed in Scripture? What does it mean to have Christ as the beginning and end of our philosophy? How does Christ embody divine truth and grace differently than the Platonists' concept of divine Ideas? What are some ways Platonism's negative view of the material world still influences Christians today? How can we have a biblical view of the material world? Why must Christ alone reign supreme in all our reasoning and thinking? What are practical ways we can ensure this? For other questions and comments, feel free to reach out to Jared at thechurchhistoryproject@gmail.com. For more content, visit the podcast ⁠website ⁠or wherever you find your podcasts. To join The Church History Project Facebook group to engage in more discussion about released episodes and other fascinating nuggets of church history, you can visit the page ⁠here⁠. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/church-history-project/message

We turn to one of the most difficult, fascinating, and ultimately consequential thinkers of late antiquity, Augustine of Hippo. In this episode we discuss his relationship with Manichæism and Platonist philosophy, and a few of his important philosophical conclusions.

We discuss Marius Victorinus, a fascinating character from the tumultuous Roman scene in the mid fourth century who converted from Platonism to Platonism-plus-Christianity. His life and thought give us a valuable window onto the cultural scene in fourth-century Rome, as well, as some crucial data for the transmission of Platonist ideas into the Latinate middle ages.

This week on The Open Door (November 1st), panelists Jim Hanink, Mario Ramos-Reyes, and Valerie Niemeyer discuss India, religious freedom, and Thomism. Our distinguished and welcome guest is Prof. Timothy Samuel Shah of the University of Dallas. By training and personal passion, he is a scholar of politics and political philosophy, specializing in religion and global politics, religious freedom, and the history of moral and political theory. With his wife, Rebecca Shah, he is based in Bangalore, India. With Rebecca, he has established several initiatives in partnership with the University of Dallas, including a Jacques and Raïssa Maritain Program on Catholicism, Public Life and World Affairs. Under the auspices of the Maritain Program, Prof. Shah coordinates a monthly online Thomistic Study Circle, which involves numerous expert and amateur Thomists from around the world, and which seeks to re-enliven an appreciation of the Angelic Doctor's timeless teaching and relevance, especially for public affairs. Most recently, he and Rebecca established a Program for Indo-American Understanding and Friendship at the Gupta College of Business at the University of Dallas. The program, among other things, seeks to promote deep dialogue and genuine understanding between Hinduism and Catholic Christianity. In addition to serving as a Distinguished Research Scholar in the Politics Department at the University of Dallas, Shah also serves as Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Center for Shared Civilizational Values, an organization he founded with senior leaders of the world's largest Muslim organization, Nahdlatul Ulama in Indonesia, in order to strengthen and preserve a rules-based international order founded upon respect for the equal rights and dignity of every human being.1. Prof. Shah, Tim if we may, how can Americans better understand India, now the most populous nation in the world?2. What might Mahatma Gandhi think of India today?3. Commentators are calling attention to the political and military implications of the developing relations between India and the United States. Can you explain for us something of what's at stake?4. India's Supreme Court recently declined to recognize same sex marriage, insisting that it was a matter for the legislature. What factors went into this decision?5. How did you come to have a special interest in religious freedom? What are some of the key challenges to religious freedom today?6. Could you tell us about how you came to the University of Dallas? How is it a distinctive institution?7. At the yearly conference of the American Maritain Association you presented a paper warning of the “siren song” of Catholic integralism. Why are you critical of this phenomenon?8. It has been said that everyone is born either a Platonist or an Aristotelian. But you are a keen Thomist. How did this happen? Were you, perhaps, trying to combine the best of Plato and of Aristotle?9. Is there a Catholic-Hindu dialogue in India? Is there a Catholic-Muslim dialogue in India?10. Pope Francis has said that we are already in the midst of World War III. What do you think he meant? Do you agree with him?

We dive into the fascinating life and thought of Synesius of Cyrene, Platonist philosopher and student of Hypatia of Alexandria, and Orthodox bishop of Ptolemaïs. Committed Christian or pagan bishop? We'll see ....

The legendary teletai of Orpheus were not simply "hymns"--they were initiatic poems for meditation and ritual, magical, and ceremonial use, each one addressed to a specific diety or virtue.  In The Magic of the Orphic Hymns, Tamra Lucid and Ronnie Pontiac recapture the magical vitality of the teletai that inspired mystery cults, Western esotericism, art, music and countercultures throughout Western history.  Ronnie joins us in this interview to provide a survey of the historical landscape of origin and evolution of the archetypical myth of Orpheus. Tamra Lucid has produced documentary films including the Emmy nominated End of the Line: The Women of Standing Rock, and is the author of Making the Ordinary Extraordinary.  (See EOTR Podcast episode 208).  She is the former writer and art editor for Newtopia Magazine and her work has appeared in Reality Sandwich.  She and Ronnie are also founding members of the experimental (and riotous) rock band Lucid Nation. Ronnie Pontiac worked for many years as Manly P. Hall's research assistant, screener, and designated substitute lecturer.  Author of American Metaphysical Religion (See EOTR Podcast episode 251), he wrote the biographical introduction to Letters to the Sage:  Selected Correspondence of Thomas Moore Johnson: Volume Two: Alexander Wilder, the Platonist.  He's currently working on several other books, including one on Rosicrucianism, and has written for several esoteric journals, and has produced award winning documentaries.  Check them out at: https://linktr.ee/tamralucid https://linktr.ee/ronniepontiac This podcast is available on your favorite podcast platform, or here:  https://endoftheroad.libsyn.com/episode-270-tamra-lucid-and-ronnie-pontiac-sacred-musicthe-magic-of-the-orphic-mysteries Have a blessed weekend!  

Do you share Plato's orientation or Aristotle's? Find out! 

Seriah is joined by writer, researcher, musician, and experiencer Ronnie Pontiac, author of "American Metaphysical Religion: Esoteric and Mystical Traditions of the New World", Topics include Manly P. Hall, "The Platonist" magazine, the influence of Platonism and Neo-Platonism in the American West, Abner Doubleday, esotericism, U.S. religious history, transcendentalism, alchemy, astrology, Rosicrucianism, John Winthrop the elder and younger, John Dee, Puritanism and fear of the wilderness, herbal medicine, The Intelligencers, the College of Light, the Royal Society, Cotton Mather, Hermetic philosophy, Oliver Cromwell, the Cavaliers, Tom Morton, a fascinating trading post, wenching, abuses by the Pilgrims, origins of the slave trade, America's occult history vs Fundamentalist Christian propaganda, hybrid belief systems, Harold Bloom, American Orphism, changes in academia regarding the study of esotericism, Kabbalah, alchemy at Ivy League schools, Catherine L. Albanese, "A Republic of Mind and Spirit", alternative spirituality and the cross-over of beliefs and practices, early Christianity vs the prosperity gospel, the Rosicrucian manifestos of the 1600's, the Holy Roman Empire, Giordano Bruno, universal reformation, the Invisible College, Frances Yates and esoteric history, astronomical events and multiple interpretations thereof, the 30 years war, religious freedom in Bohemia, political and religious intrigues between Catholics and Protestants, phases and changes in American Spiritualism, Edgar Cayce, "The Unobstructed Universe", Stuart and Betty White, Carl Jung, the podcast “Tanis”, the belief system of the obstructed vs unobstructed universe, consciousness and reincarnation, the meaning of life, immortal individualism, entities called the Invisibles, incredible experiences between Betty and Stuart White, the Seer of the Sunbelt Reverend Edward A. Monroe, a talkative Scottish spirit, and much more! This is an exceptional conversation jam-packed with ideas and references!This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4656375/advertisement

In episode 37 of the quantum consciousness series, Justin Riddle takes a deep dive into Donald Hoffman's conscious agent model and relates it to the leading theories of quantum consciousness. The structure of this episode is an introduction to Hoffman's model of conscious agents, then an interview with Don Hoffman in November 2022, and finally some reflections on the implications of this model. Hoffman begins by describing the interface theory of perception: we have mistaken the external “physical” world to be fundamental reality. But this external world that we see around us is an evolved interface that was created through billions of years of evolution and cannot be trusted. The world you experience is like a video game – with icons, side quests, and abstract motivations to win victory points. The “real” world is not directly accessible to us through our perceptual systems and there is a great illusion at play. Hoffman then proposes his Conscious Agents theory, in which the universe is comprised of conscious beings interacting with each other. He describes these conscious agents as Markov Chains – probabilistic systems that move through a set of possible experience and action states while learning from their interactions with the world at large. Finally, he proposes that conscious agents are composed of conscious agents resulting in a fractal nested hierarchy of beings from the scale of the entire universe down to the Planck scale. This nested hierarchy is fundamental and now just needs to be mapped into modern particle physics in order to complete his theory of everything. Here, he introduces “decorated permutations” which are a way to map the Markov Models of his conscious agents into geometric structures. With this mapping, he claims to connect his agents to fundamental geometric forms at the core of reality, such as the amplituhedron, and then that amplituhedron can derive space-time, particle physics, and quantum mechanics. His theory is very Platonist in its essence and relies on a geometric depiction of reality. At the end of the episode, I praise the ability of Hoffman's theory to connect the nested hierarchies of beings into a substrate for mathematical forms to arise, but also caution that his model throws away the physical world and mental world to some degree to focus exclusively on the Platonic world of forms. Living within a hyperdimensional geometric form may result in the same nihilistic conclusions that our lives are just unfolding as sub-projections of this universal form. Can we salvage the human spirit from unmoving crystalline geometry? I hope you enjoy!

We are delighted to speak with Frederico Fidler about Sallustius' On the Gods and the World, a short manual of a popular nature outlining how Platonist metaphysics work, how traditional Hellenistic religion is thought to mirror those metaphysical realities, and how esoteric hermeneutics are the key to unlocking the truth in the vast tradition of myth, ritual, and philosophy claimed by Julian, Sallustius, and other late-antique Hellenes. Come for the esoteric myths, stay for the kosmos as esoteric myth.

John Norris was an Anglican priest and philosopher who lived from 1657-1711. He was an Oxford Christian "Platonist" and wrote many works including Reflections upon a Late Essay Concerning the Human Understanding which was a critique of John Locke and An Account of Reason and Faith in Relation to the Mysteries of Christianity which was a response to the deist John Toland. This recording is of his Discourse of the Natural and Moral Union of the Soul with God. If you want to read the text for yourself, you can find it here: https://www.google.com/books/edition/_/MYe-1oxeyBEC?hl=en&gbpv=0 This discourse is read by friend of the podcast Austen Haynes. Thank you for all your work, Austen! Be sure to send us your feedback and questions to thesacramentalists@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @sacramentalists. Be sure to join our Communion of Patreon Saints for only $5 a month.

Seriah is joined by writer, researcher, musician, and experiencer Ronnie Pontiac, author of "American Metaphysical Religion: Esoteric and Mystical Traditions of the New World", Topics include Manly P. Hall, "The Platonist" magazine, the influence of Platonism and Neo-Platonism in the American West, Abner Doubleday, esotericism, U.S. religious history, transcendentalism, alchemy, astrology, Rosicrucianism, John Winthrop the elder and younger, John Dee, Puritanism and fear of the wilderness, herbal medicine, The Intelligencers, the College of Light, the Royal Society, Cotton Mather, Hermetic philosophy, Oliver Cromwell, the Cavaliers, Tom Morton, a fascinating trading post, wenching, abuses by the Pilgrims, origins of the slave trade, America's occult history vs Fundamentalist Christian propaganda, hybrid belief systems, Harold Bloom, American Orphism, changes in academia regarding the study of esotericism, Kabbalah, alchemy at Ivy League schools, Catherine L. Albanese, "A Republic of Mind and Spirit", alternative spirituality and the cross-over of beliefs and practices, early Christianity vs the prosperity gospel, the Rosicrucian manifestos of the 1600's, the Holy Roman Empire, Giordano Bruno, universal reformation, the Invisible College, Frances Yates and esoteric history, astronomical events and multiple interpretations thereof, the 30 years war, religious freedom in Bohemia, political and religious intrigues between Catholics and Protestants, phases and changes in American Spiritualism, Edgar Cayce, "The Unobstructed Universe", Stuart and Betty White, Carl Jung, the podcast “Tanis”, the belief system of the obstructed vs unobstructed universe, consciousness and reincarnation, the meaning of life, immortal individualism, entities called the Invisibles, incredible experiences between Betty and Stuart White, the Seer of the Sunbelt Reverend Edward A. Monroe, a talkative Scottish spirit, and much more! This is an exceptional conversation jam-packed with ideas and references! - Recap by Vincent Treewell of The Weird Part Podcast Outro Music is Lucid Nation with Food Chain Download

In Part II with Father Sergey, we explore the Platonist ‘mystical' themes, esoteric imagery of divine darkness, and the limits of human knowledge in the Cappadocians. Христос воскрес!

Jóhann Jóhannsson was one of contemporary cinema's greatest score composers when he passed away in 2018 at the young age of 48. Last and First Men, his enigmatic directorial debut, was released shortly after in 2020. Based on a novel by the same name by the British science fiction writer Olaf Stapleton, the film offers a sustained meditation on the prospect of extinction, the eventuality of humanity's disappearance from the comos. In this episode, JF and Phil discuss the images and sounds of the film as they flicker and swell against the backdrop of nonbeing that envelops us all. The conversation touches on the idea of beauty, Brutalist architecture, modernism, and futurity. Preorder Pierre-Yves Martel's album Mer bleue (https://pierre-yvesmartel.bandcamp.com/album/mer-bleue). Support us on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/weirdstudies) and gain access to Phil's ongoing podcast on Richard Wagner's Ring Cycle. Listen to volume 1 (https://pierre-yvesmartel.bandcamp.com/album/weird-studies-music-from-the-podcast-vol-1) and volume 2 (https://pierre-yvesmartel.bandcamp.com/album/weird-studies-music-from-the-podcast-vol-2) of the Weird Studies soundtrack by Pierre-Yves Martel (https://www.pymartel.com) Find us on Discord (https://discord.com/invite/Jw22CHfGwp) Get the T-shirt design from Cotton Bureau (https://cottonbureau.com/products/can-o-content#/13435958/tee-men-standard-tee-vintage-black-tri-blend-s)! Get your Weird Studies merchandise (https://www.redbubble.com/people/Weird-Studies/shop?asc=u) (t-shirts, coffee mugs, etc.) Visit the Weird Studies Bookshop (https://bookshop.org/shop/weirdstudies) REFERENCES Jóhann Jóhannsson, Last and First Men (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8015444/) Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unfrozen_Caveman_Lawyer), SNL character Spomeniks (https://www.spomenikdatabase.org/what-are-spomeniks), Yugoslavian monuments Olaf Stapleton, The Last and First Men (https://bookshop.org/a/18799/9781604443578) Woody Allen, Hannah and Her Sisters (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091167/) The Last of Us (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3581920/), television show Ray Brassier, [Nihil Unbound: Enlightenment and Extinction](https://books.google.com/books/about/NihilUnbound.html?id=zN7WAAAAMAAJ&source=kpbookdescription)_ Weird Studies, Episode 2 on Garmonbozia (https://www.weirdstudies.com/2) Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Nobel Prize Speech (https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/literature/1970/solzhenitsyn/lecture/) Weird Studies Episode 139 on Art Power (https://www.weirdstudies.com/139) Numenius (https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/numenius/), Platonist philosopher Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari, What is Philosophy? (https://bookshop.org/a/18799/9780231079891) Jia Tolentino, “The Overwhelming Emotion of Hearing Toto's “Africa” (https://www.newyorker.com/culture/rabbit-holes/the-overwhelming-emotion-of-hearing-totos-africa-remixed-to-sound-like-its-playing-in-an-empty-mall) Weird Studies, Episode 110 on “The Glass Bead Game” (https://www.weirdstudies.com/110) D. H. Lawrence, Lady Chatterley's Lover (https://bookshop.org/a/18799/9780141192482)

This is part 6 of the Early Church History class. In the latter half of the second century, two kinds of Christians arose to defend the faith. On the one hand, apologists wrote defenses of Christianity directed at the Roman government. They responded to rumors, arguing that Christians were decent people who should be shown toleration. On the other hand, heresy hunters (or heresiologists) began to combat Christian groups that diverged significantly from apostolic Christianity, such as the Gnostics, Valentinians, and Marcionites. Today we'll briefly overview this fascinating period of Christianity when persuasion not coercion was the means to defeat one's opponents. Listen to this episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43mIuUVqCK0&list=PLN9jFDsS3QV2lk3B0I7Pa77hfwKJm1SRI&index=6 —— Links —— More Restitutio resources on Christian history More classes here Support Restitutio by donating here Join our Restitutio Facebook Group and follow Sean Finnegan on Twitter @RestitutioSF Leave a voice message via SpeakPipe with questions or comments and we may play them out on the air Intro music: Good Vibes by MBB Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0) Free Download / Stream: Music promoted by Audio Library. Who is Sean Finnegan?  Read his bio here —— Notes —— Apologists (Defenders) of the 2nd C. - Quadratus (130?)- Aristo of Pella (c. 140?)- Aristides (c. 145)- Miltiades (c. 160-180?)- Justin Martyr (d. 165)- Athenagoras (c. 170-180)- Melito of Sardis (c. 170-180?)- Appolinaris of Hierapolis (170-180)- Tatian (d. 180?)- Theophilus of Antioch (c. 180-185)- Epistle of Diognetus (150-225) Quadratus of Athens (130) - addressed book to Hadrian (r. 117-138)- claimed to know people healed by Jesus Epistle of Diognetus (150-225) - author ideas: Hippolytus, Aristides, Pantaenus- common criticisms are that Christians are incestuous b/c we call each other brother and sister, cannibals b/c we eat body and blood of Jesus, atheists b/c we didn't believe in the gods, politically subversive b/c we didn't honor the emperor by offering incense to his statue- Diog. 5.1-17 provides an excellent example of an effective apologist Justin Martyr (100-165) - Stoic -> Peripatetic -> Pythagorean -> Platonist -> Christian- founded a school in Rome- claimed Greek philosophers accessed truth of the Logos, thus Christianity is not a novel religion- Justin addressed his case to the Roman emperor and his sons and the senate and the Roman people (First Apology 1.1-2)- Dialogue with Trypho employed the idea of heresy as defined by a key belief—resurrection (see chapter 80) Heresy Hunters - Justin (140-160)- Irenaeus (180-199)- Tertullian (200-213)- Hippolytus (200-230)- Eusebius (324)- Epiphanius (374-377)- Theodoret (452-453) Standard Arguments - too complicated- trace beliefs to heresiarch- unnatural interpretation of scripture- can't trace beliefs back to the apostles- perverted truth leads to perverted morals- new generations recycle old heresies Irenaeus of Lyons (130-202)- Argued against Valentinus, Marcus, Ptolemaeus, Saturninus, Basilides, Carpocrates, Cerinthus, Ebionites, Nicolaitans, Cerdo, Marcion, Tatian, the Encratites, Orphites, Sethians, Cainites, and others- Against Heresies (aka. The Refutation and Overthrow of Falsely Called Gnosis) intended to equip church leaders to protect their unsuspecting flock from getting tricked into believing any forms of Gnosticism Review - Apologists focused on defending Christianity against outsiders by writing to the Roman authorities and laying out a case for toleration.- Justin Martyr taught that Christianity had continuity with Greek philosophers who also accessed the Logos.- Heresy hunters (heresiologists) defended Christianity against insiders who had differing beliefs from theirs.- Christians fought heresy by using key beliefs they knew their opponents couldn't affirm and by labelling them.- Justin and Irenaeus emphasized resurrection and an ultimate kingdom on earth to exclude those who held varieties of Gnostic beliefs.

Episode 6. Season 2 of Common Ruin begins with Marxist activist and Platonist philosopher Chanel Bayhí reading Bertrand Russell's 1927 essay "Why I Am Not a Christian" with Michael Acuña, and both debating the existence of God.  *DISCLAIMER: The views of host do not necessarily reflect those of the guest.  Music by Karl Casey @WhiteBatAudio --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/common-ruin/support

Interview starts at 31:40   Ronnie Pontiac joins us for a great chat about his new book published by Inner Traditions "American Metaphysical Religion - Esoteric and Mystical Traditions of the New World" and the lesson know people and aspecs of the 'occult' teachings in the West. Ronnie was Manly P. Hall's research assistant for many years, and has been gathering the info for this Tome for decades.   We chat about unknown names, the new research, stories and synchro's about Manly himself, disorted definitions and meanings for words like occult and lucifer, creating science, pamphlet wars, harmonial philosophy, Theosohpy, the Brotherhood of Luxor, The Platonist, the Red Harlot of LibertyThe church and paganism, teh influence of materialism, and trying to hold paradoxical concepts in your mind at once.   https://www.innertraditions.com/books/american-metaphysical-religion   In the intro we chat about some of our audio books, Magic on the Mountain, and new years resolutions. We talk about some articles on modern alchemists...   See links below for stuff we chatted about during the show and intro:   https://contactatthecabin.com/magick-on-the-mountains/   https://adultbrain.ca/   https://listverse.com/2015/09/24/10-terrifying-us-government-projects-carried-out-on-domestic-soil/   https://www.realclearscience.com/blog/2012/09/modern-day-alchemists-routinely-make-gold.html   https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/alchemy-may-not-been-pseudoscience-we-thought-it-was-180949430/   Help support the show because without your help we can't continue to address these controversial topics. If you value this content with 0 ads, 0 sponsorships, 0 breaks, 0 portals and links to corporate websites, please assist. Many hours of unlimited content for free. Thanks for listening!!   Support the show directly: http://www.grimerica.ca/support https://www.patreon.com/grimerica   http://www.grimericaoutlawed.ca/support www.Rokfin.com/Grimerica   Get your Magic Mushrooms delivered from: Champignon Magique  Mushroom Spores, Spore Syringes, Best Spore Syringes,Grow Mushrooms Spores Lab Buy DMT Canada Other affiliated shows: https://grimericaoutlawed.ca/The newer controversial Grimerica Outlawed Grimerica Show https://www.13questionspodcast.com/ Our New Podcast - 13 Questions   Join the chat / hangout with a bunch of fellow Grimerican's  Https://t.me.grimerica www.grimerica.ca/chats https://discord.gg/qfrHVvP3   1-403-702-6083 Call and leave a voice mail or send us a text   Check out our next trip/conference/meetup - Contact at the Cabin www.contactatthecabin.com   Leave a review on iTunes and/or Stitcher: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/grimerica-outlawed http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/grimerica-outlawed   Sign up for our newsletter http://www.grimerica.ca/news   SPAM Graham = and send him your synchronicities, feedback, strange experiences and psychedelic trip reports!! graham@grimerica.com   InstaGRAM https://www.instagram.com/the_grimerica_show_podcast/  Tweet Darren https://twitter.com/Grimerica   Connect through other platforms: https://www.reddit.com/r/grimerica/  https://gab.ai/Grimerica    Purchase swag, with partial proceeds donated to the show www.grimerica.ca/swag   Send us a postcard or letter http://www.grimerica.ca/contact/ ART Napolean Duheme's site http://www.lostbreadcomic.com/  MUSIC Felix's Site sirfelix.bandcamp.com

Stoicism–named for the stoa (or covered walkway) under whose cooling shade Athenian citizens gathered and philosophers lectured–is a philosophy whose influence has stretched across the ages. It was, so many centuries ago, a philosophy to which much of the classical world subscribed. Today, despite our distaste for all things “old” (how boring!), it remains a school of thought from which we can derive many benefits. Brittany Polat, who's devoted much of her life to studying and popularizing these benefits, is an author, mother, board member of multiple Stoic organizations, and creator of Stoicare, a 501c3 whose noble aim is to “share Stoicism as a holistic system of wisdom”. She was gracious enough to join me for a few hours to discuss this school of thought of which she's such an enthusiastic and well-versed champion. I can't wait to share her wisdom with you!This episode will teach you…The history of Stoicism; the most important Stoic thinkers with whom you should be familiar; the life of Marcus Aurelius; the Eastern influences on Stoicism; the connection between Buddhism and Stoicism; the compatibility between our Judeo-Christian tradition and Stoicism; how to employ Stoicism as a PARENT raising young children; the difference between mere mindfulness, and stoic meditation; Stoic figures throughout history; whether or not George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were stoics; how to implement a daily journaling practice; the importance of Viktor Frankl; The search for meaning in life; Rationality and Society–the two fundamental features of our species;And much more! Timestamp: 0:00 Introduction2:00 A Journey back to ancient Greece4:54 Happiness as the “Ultimate Good”6:05 Epicureanism v. Stoicism12:05 The role of Socrates15:10 Meet the Stoics! The Cast of Characters22:20 Similarities Between Marcus Aurelius and George Washington29:30 Eastern influences on Stoicism34:00 Heraclitus 41:29 Do Stoics believe in God? 46:23 What does Stoicism provide that Christianity lacks? 51:31 Why Materialism has prevailed58:10 Viktor Frankl1:04:48 How to Parent like a Stoic1:08:00 Are some people born Stoics? 1:09:46 Developing a (daily) Journaling practice1:13:40 The Difference between Mindfulness and Stoic Meditation1:16:11 What inspired you to write this book? 1:20:45 How do you find peace with those around you? 1:24:24 The Serenity Prayer1:29:48 Is Stoicism ANTI-Social? 1:36:29 From Linguistics to Stoicism1:40:28 Modern Stoics1:47:00 Closing ThoughtsBrittany's stuff: Books she referenced: “The Handbook of the Stoic Tradition” https://www.amazon.com/Routledge-Handbook-Tradition-Handbooks-Philosophy/dp/1138574104/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2REEZVE6DM02&keywords=the+handbook+of+the+stoic+tradition&qid=1670525292&sprefix=the+handbook+of+the+stoic+tradition%2Caps%2C88&sr=8-1. “A Case For God” https://www.amazon.com/Case-God-Karen-Armstrong/dp/0307389804/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1048DEJJZJMYI&keywords=karen+armstrong+a+case+for+god&qid=1670525327&sprefix=karen+armstrong+a+cas%2Caps%2C86&sr=8-1“Some Do Care”https://www.amazon.com/Some-Do-Care-Anne-Colby/dp/0029063566/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2E0FATB5YF5AT&keywords=some+do+care&qid=1670525379&sprefix=some+do+care%2Caps%2C86&sr=8-2Links to her books: “Journal like a Stoic” https://www.amazon.com/Journal-Like-Stoic-Acceptance-Intentionality/dp/0593435893/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3YIUV8V38CEM&keywords=brittany+polat&qid=1670525424&sprefix=brittany+polat%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-1“Tranquility Parenting”https://www.amazon.com/Tranquility-Parenting-Staying-Mindful-Engaged/dp/1538112426/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3YIUV8V38CEM&keywords=brittany+polat&qid=1670525453&sprefix=brittany+polat%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-2Brittany's website: https://www.livinginagreement.com/aboutTwitter:https://twitter.com/brittanypolatMy Stuff: Finneran's WakeListen to this and all episodes on your favorite podcast streaming service: Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/74eUg83Q8zOgaRA5EBuzyl?si=871b6aa8082146af. Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finnerans-wake/id1560923796. –Please, don't hesitate to leave a comment or send me a message (to which, I assure you, I'll promptly respond!) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100080972774597Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielethanfinneran/Twitter: @DanielEFinneranEmail me at finneranswake@gmail.com Whether you're a Stoic or an Epicurean; an Aristotelian or a Platonist, leave a comment below! Let's make the comments section a veritable school of Athens. 

What is freedom? If we are free, why do we feel anxiety? How do I relate to the world? Saint Augustine of Hippo asked himself these questions around 400 AD as he wrote Confessions—indeed, as he lived his life. At various points in his life, Augustine was a Manichaean, a Platonist, an academic, a father, and a thief. He was on a quest for truth, an understanding of himself as an individual and a human being. Augustine wrote this text in his forties when he was a bishop. Formally speaking, it is a prayer, a confession to God, but it also an extremely influential philosophical text and one of the earliest ever autobiographies. Columbia Professor Dhananjay Jagannathan discusses the huge existential questions that Augustine tackled and the conclusions he drew that have influenced modern philosophy. Dhananjay Jagannathan is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Columbia University. His research focuses on ancient Greek and Roman philosophy and the history of ethics, and he is currently writing a book on Aristotle's moral epistemology. See more information on our website, WritLarge.fm. Follow us on Twitter @WritLargePod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

What is freedom? If we are free, why do we feel anxiety? How do I relate to the world? Saint Augustine of Hippo asked himself these questions around 400 AD as he wrote Confessions—indeed, as he lived his life. At various points in his life, Augustine was a Manichaean, a Platonist, an academic, a father, and a thief. He was on a quest for truth, an understanding of himself as an individual and a human being. Augustine wrote this text in his forties when he was a bishop. Formally speaking, it is a prayer, a confession to God, but it also an extremely influential philosophical text and one of the earliest ever autobiographies. Columbia Professor Dhananjay Jagannathan discusses the huge existential questions that Augustine tackled and the conclusions he drew that have influenced modern philosophy. Dhananjay Jagannathan is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Columbia University. His research focuses on ancient Greek and Roman philosophy and the history of ethics, and he is currently writing a book on Aristotle's moral epistemology. See more information on our website, WritLarge.fm. Follow us on Twitter @WritLargePod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literary-studies

What is freedom? If we are free, why do we feel anxiety? How do I relate to the world? Saint Augustine of Hippo asked himself these questions around 400 AD as he wrote Confessions—indeed, as he lived his life. At various points in his life, Augustine was a Manichaean, a Platonist, an academic, a father, and a thief. He was on a quest for truth, an understanding of himself as an individual and a human being. Augustine wrote this text in his forties when he was a bishop. Formally speaking, it is a prayer, a confession to God, but it also an extremely influential philosophical text and one of the earliest ever autobiographies. Columbia Professor Dhananjay Jagannathan discusses the huge existential questions that Augustine tackled and the conclusions he drew that have influenced modern philosophy. Dhananjay Jagannathan is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Columbia University. His research focuses on ancient Greek and Roman philosophy and the history of ethics, and he is currently writing a book on Aristotle's moral epistemology. See more information on our website, WritLarge.fm. Follow us on Twitter @WritLargePod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/intellectual-history

What is freedom? If we are free, why do we feel anxiety? How do I relate to the world? Saint Augustine of Hippo asked himself these questions around 400 AD as he wrote Confessions—indeed, as he lived his life. At various points in his life, Augustine was a Manichaean, a Platonist, an academic, a father, and a thief. He was on a quest for truth, an understanding of himself as an individual and a human being. Augustine wrote this text in his forties when he was a bishop. Formally speaking, it is a prayer, a confession to God, but it also an extremely influential philosophical text and one of the earliest ever autobiographies. Columbia Professor Dhananjay Jagannathan discusses the huge existential questions that Augustine tackled and the conclusions he drew that have influenced modern philosophy. Dhananjay Jagannathan is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Columbia University. His research focuses on ancient Greek and Roman philosophy and the history of ethics, and he is currently writing a book on Aristotle's moral epistemology. See more information on our website, WritLarge.fm. Follow us on Twitter @WritLargePod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is ‘Christian Platonism' and why is it the best theological position for engaging with science? This episode is all about these two questions. Emily & Barney interview Dr Andrew Davison, who is the Starbridge Associate Professor in Theology and the Natural Sciences at Cambridge University. We ask him tough and challenging questions like: Isn't it better to be just a Christian than a Christian Platonist? Doesn't Platonism inhibit scientific research? Why can't an apple also be an orange? Why can a piece of paper also be a love letter? Check out Dr Davison's book, Participation in God, which we talk about in the episode. Thanks to Jamie Maule for his sound editing! This episode is produced in collaboration with The Tablet. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/faith-at-the-frontiers/message

The Discourse Labyrinth has once again trapped Langdon and Eden! First, they must do battle with online """Leftists""" to defend a Marxist reading of Foucault (while stabbing the actual man repeatedly, luckily he is already dead). Then, the two dive into the maze of Platonist, reality-bending, weird fantasy that is Alex Pheby's Malarkoi! Talking dogs, gods, ideal realms, time manipulation, and general malarkey abounds. Music played: Gods of Eden - Through the Abyss https://godsofeden.bandcamp.com/track/through-the-abyss Armory - The Hunters from Beyond https://armory417.bandcamp.com/track/the-hunters-from-beyond

Symposium by Plato, complete audiobook with relaxing music and visuals to help you stay engaged. Translated by Benjamin Jowett. If you have any suggestions, please let us know in the comments section!

EP328 Profiling a Christian Platonist by Christopher Fisher

This week Dr. Jenkins looks at the first notable teacher in Alexandria about whom we have any real information, Clement of Alexandria. There is much to learn here from someone who is generally overshadowed by his much greater pupil, Origen.

This week Dr. Jenkins looks at the first notable teacher in Alexandria about whom we have any real information, Clement of Alexandria. There is much to learn here from someone who is generally overshadowed by his much greater pupil, Origen.

This week Dr. Jenkins looks at the first notable teacher in Alexandria about whom we have any real information, Clement of Alexandria. There is much to learn here from someone who is generally overshadowed by his much greater pupil, Origen.

Was C.S. Lewis in any way a Platonist?

Scripture Reading: John 1:6-39I tried to put together a verse-by-verse explanation of verses 6 through 18. That should create a solid foundation for us to simply read, understand, and enjoy verses 19 to 39. 6 A man came, sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that everyone might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify about the light.The prologue is emphatic in contrasting John the Baptist and Jesus. Maybe John the Apostle was trying to settle a polemic stirred up by the Baptist's followers. (The contrast includes testifying about the light versus being the light, water baptism versus spirit baptism, witness versus the messiah.)“Witness” was a legal term, although it was also used more generally. In the Septuagint, the term often appeals to objective evidence and is associated with controversy imagery. Consider John 5:31-35:31 “If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. 32 There is another who testifies about me, and I know the testimony he testifies about me is true. 33 You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth. 34 (I do not accept human testimony, but I say this so that you may be saved.) 35 He was a lamp that was burning and shining, and you wanted to rejoice greatly for a short time in his light.The Baptist came that “everyone” might believe. Who is “everyone”? The context may limit “everyone” to Jewish contemporaries. Or does it refer to the general offer of the Gospel that is set in motion? The Baptist fulfills the role prophesied in Malachi 3:1: “I am about to send my messenger, who will clear the way before me. Indeed, the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his temple, and the messenger of the covenant, whom you long for, is certainly coming,” says the Lord of Heaven's Armies. Consider the relation between revelation and the witness to revelation. God is revealed by Jesus. Jesus is witnessed by the Baptist and his disciples. Then Jesus becomes invisible again and his witnesses become the community of believers.9 The true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.John the Baptist was a lamp (5:35). Jesus was the light itself. Greek philosophers applied “enlightenment” to the revealing of knowledge; Jewish tradition applied it to the revelation of moral truth (i.e., the Torah and then the Gospel).Jesus gives light to “everyone.” Who is “everyone”? This may parallel a widespread and early Jewish tradition that God made the Torah available to all nations at a specific time at Mount Sinai (although only Israel accepted the truth).10 He was in the world, and the world was created by him, but the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to what was his own, but his own people did not receive him.Jesus was in the world (present participle). Scholars and many church fathers applied the phrase to various manifestations of the Word previous to the incarnation.Jesus created the world but the world did not recognize him. The world belongs to Jesus, but the world “did not receive him,” which John uses elsewhere in his gospel to connote deliberate rejection. There seems to be two stages. First, the world does not recognize the Lord as he takes on flesh. However, once the world recognizes the master has come, then the world deliberately rejects Jesus. Or perhaps the world refers to the gentiles and “his own” refers to the Jewish people. The world did not know Jesus, but the Jews rejected Him. Jewish tradition remarked that the Torah had been offered to all nations but only Israel had accepted it. That certainly was not the case with Jesus.12 But to all who have received him—those who believe in his name—he has given the right to become God's children—Craig Keener points out “‘Receiving' the Jesus of [John's Gospel] embraces the mystery of God's power revealed in weakness and submitting to the revealing Lord of the universe regardless of the cost.”Believing in Jesus' “name” is probably an allusion to the divine name, which in turn is a stand-in for God. This means that trusting in Jesus implies trusting in him as deity. Throughout John's gospel we see that Jesus followers are to believe in Jesus' name, receive life in his name, and expect to suffer for his name.Greeks may have considered God as a father of humanity by virtue of creation. Jews had a much more intimate conception of God's fatherhood towards them as the chosen people. Believers in Jesus assume the covenant role granted Israel as a people. Notice believers receive the right (which could also be translated as “authority”)! Believers have the authority to claim something that no human effort could accomplish. That is incredible language. 13 children not born by human parents or by human desire or a husband's decision, but by God.Consider John 3:1-6:1 Now a certain man, a Pharisee named Nicodemus, who was a member of the Jewish ruling council, 2 came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus replied, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter his mother's womb and be born a second time, can he?”5 Jesus answered, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born of water and spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.Notice the distinction between genetic Israel and children born of God by belief in His Name.14 Now the Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We saw his glory—the glory of the one and only, full of grace and truth, who came from the Father.The stoics believed God was not of human shape, the Platonist spoke of an unnamed and unseen intellect, and the Neoplatonist denied that wisdom could be seen through a body. But John states that the Word became flesh—fully. Not in a temporary or partial way.To take up residence is to “tabernacle”—like God did in the Old Testament. Remember Exodus 25:8:Let them make for me a sanctuary, so that I may live among them.Most importantly, consider how John 1:14-18 fulfills Exodus 33-34:(1) In Exodus, God gives Torah from Mount Sinai. In John, as prophesied (Isaiah 46:13), the redeemer comes from Zion.(2) In Exodus, the Torah is given to the people. In John, the Logos tabernacles among the people.(3) In Exodus, Moses beholds God. In John, the eyewitnesses (e.g., John the Baptist and the Disciples) behold Jesus.The story of Moses, the highest Jewish figure, culminates in the story of Jesus.As a reminder, here are the relevant portions of Exodus 33-34Exodus 3312 Moses said to the Lord, “See, you have been saying to me, ‘Bring this people up,' but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. But you said, ‘I know you by name, and also you have found favor in my sight.' 13 Now if I have found favor in your sight, show me your way, that I may know you, that I may continue to find favor in your sight. And see that this nation is your people.”18 And Moses said, “Show me your glory.”19 And the Lord said, “I will make all my goodness pass before your face, and I will proclaim the LORD by name before you; I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious; I will show mercy to whom I will show mercy.” 20 But he added, “You cannot see my face, for no one can see me and live.” 21 The LORD said, “Here is a place by me; you will station yourself on a rock. 22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and will cover you with my hand while I pass by. 23 Then I will take away my hand, and you will see my back, but my face must not be seen.”Exodus 343 No one is to come up with you; do not let anyone be seen anywhere on the mountain; not even the flocks or the herds may graze in front of that mountain.” 4 So Moses cut out two tablets of stone like the first; early in the morning he went up to Mount Sinai, just as the LORD had commanded him, and he took in his hand the two tablets of stone.5 The LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there and proclaimed the LORD by name. 6 The LORD passed by before him and proclaimed: “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, and abounding in loyal love and faithfulness, 7 keeping loyal love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin. But he by no means leaves the guilty unpunished, responding to the transgression of fathers by dealing with children and children's children, to the third and fourth generation.”8 Moses quickly bowed to the ground and worshiped 9 and said, “If now I have found favor in your sight, O Lord, let my Lord go among us, for we are a stiff-necked people; pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for your inheritance.”10 He said, “See, I am going to make a covenant before all your people. I will do wonders such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation. All the people among whom you live will see the work of the LORD, for it is a fearful thing that I am doing with you.29 Now when Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand—when he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him. 30 When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to approach him.33 When Moses finished speaking with them, he would put a veil on his face. 34 But when Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would remove the veil until he came out. Then he would come out and tell the Israelites what he had been commanded. 35 When the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone, Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with the Lord.What is “glory”? It is a revelation of God's character. Jesus revealed his glory in ways obscure to the elite but visible to those who believed in Him. Consider 1 Corinthians 1:18:18 For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.Monogenous (μονογενοῦς) is difficult to translate into English. Some translate it as “one and only” and some as “only begotten.” In the Septuagint and other contemporary Jewish writings, the term applies to an only child but it also applies to other unique things (most significantly, to divine Wisdom). To the extent the term means an only child, it connotes “beloved.” A Jewish family with only one son would depend on him for the preservation of the family. To say someone was an “only son” was to say he was extremely important and beloved. Christians are called God's children, but Jesus is the special, beloved, one-of-a-kind Son.15 John testified about him and shouted out, “This one was the one about whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is greater than I am, because he existed before me.'”John's public ministry preceded Jesus' ministry, but Jesus outranked John because Jesus preexisted John. Jesus was not a disciple of John—quite the opposite. Indeed, Jesus was greater than Abraham, “I tell you the solemn truth, before Abraham came into existence, I am!” (John 8:58)16 For we have all received from his fullness one gracious gift after another. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came about through Jesus Christ.What does grace and truth mean? Remember Exodus 34. Verse 6 says that “[t]he LORD passed by before [Moses] and proclaimed: ‘The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, and abounding in loyal love and faithfulness . . . .” Grace points us to God's “loyal love,” which can also be translated as “covenant-love.” As I pointed out above, truth points us to God's moral truth and faithfulness. When God revealed his grace and truth at Mount Sinai, it was incomplete. Moses only saw part. That revelation becomes complete in Christ. As Craig Keener points out:“Christ is the full embodiment of Torah, completing what was partial (but actually present) in Torah. Jesus Christ thus embodies the hope of Judaism. John does not encourage his community to forsake its Jewish past, but to recognize that in following Christ, the embodiment of Torah, his community fulfills the highest demands of Judaism.”Christ is the full embodiment of the law, the actual model of lived-out commandments, in flesh. The contrast between law and Christ is not between something bad and something good, but between something good and something better.In the first century, “grace” (charis) generally involved a patron-client relation. It involved the giving of an undeserved benefit but also a lasting relationship. Entering into a patron-client relationship was not a light commitment. The client was expected to show respect and gratitude, and the patron was to protect the client's economic, social, and legal interests.18 No one has ever seen God. The only one, himself God, who is in closest fellowship with the Father, has made God known.The Lord told Moses, “You cannot see my face, for no one can see me and live.” But people beheld Jesus, who was God. Consider what Jesus did, as Philippians 2:6-8 says:6 who, though he existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped,7 but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature. 8 He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross!Moses beheld a part of God's glory, and Moses' face shone. Christ is that light itself.The rest of John's Gospel maintains the Father's invisibility but qualifies it, for anyone who has seen the incarnate God who has fully revealed the character of the Father has seen the Father. Although blasphemous to the Jewish audience, John's claim is that one who saw Jesus saw a fuller picture of God than Moses did. For Jesus to make God known implies more than communicating a visual image; it suggests that Jesus fully interprets God's character.The Testimony of John the Baptist19 Now this was John's testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed—he did not deny but confessed—“I am not the Christ!” 21 So they asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not!” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No!” 22 Then they said to him, “Who are you? Tell us so that we can give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”23 John said, “I am the voice of one shouting in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said.” 24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 So they asked John, “Why then are you baptizing if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”26 John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not recognize, 27 who is coming after me. I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandal!” 28 These things happened in Bethany across the Jordan River where John was baptizing.29 On the next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one about whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who is greater than I am, because he existed before me.' 31 I did not recognize him, but I came baptizing with water so that he could be revealed to Israel.”32 Then John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending like a dove from heaven, and it remained on him. 33 And I did not recognize him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining—this is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' 34 I have both seen and testified that this man is the Chosen One of God.”35 Again the next day John was standing there with two of his disciples. 36 Gazing at Jesus as he walked by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” 37 When John's two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Jesus turned around and saw them following and said to them, “What do you want?” So they said to him, “Rabbi” (which is translated Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39 Jesus answered, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. Now it was about four o'clock in the afternoon.Session Recording

Johannes Kepler fuses Platonist philosophy with a modified version of Copernicus' astronomy.

As we near Holy Week and Easter, this sermon from John Wesley gives us a solid foundation not only for understanding the resurrection of Jesus but also for leaning into the promise of our own resurrection. Using Paul's treatise on the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15 and borrowing from an earlier work by Benjamin Calamy, Wesley addresses the question that Paul raises: "How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?" (1 Corinthians 15:35 NRSV). Understanding the resurrection from a biblical perspective challenges the Platonist and disembodied ways in which many Christians have perceived it and invites us to live out the implications of a new embodied life in the present as well as the future. Read Sermon 137: On the Resurrection of the DeadGet a copy of N.T. Wright's book Surprised by HopeSend your questions and comments to Bob Kaylor at pastorbk@tlumc.org and follow him on Twitter @revbkaylor This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bobkaylor.substack.com