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Episode 70: 5 Philosophical Principles for Life
5 Philosophical Principles for Life In this solocast, Dr. Smith discusses 5 philosophical and practical principles to guide life. He covers:5 Principles for Practical Living- Philosophy is a way of life- Augustine, Christianity, and Philosophy- The Interior Life- 1....
What We Need to Win the Culture War (and why we’re still losing)
Guest post by Joe Grossheim I was listening to this lecture by Dr. Daniel De Haan, who is another one of Dr. Benjamin Smith’s former students, and he begins with an excellent observation: There are existential reasons for our commitments to certain philosophical...
They’re not bad people…or are they?
I often here pro-life people say that those who promote abortion, have abortions, or provide abortions “aren’t bad people." "They mean well,” it’s said, “but they don’t understand the error of their ways.” I agree, that may be so in some cases. We’ve all...
Episode 69: Understanding the Modern Mind
Understanding the Modern Mind In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith discuss what is called Post Post-Modernism or "Po-Po-Mo". We cover:- Kant and Modernism- Post Modernism- Social Constructs and Objectivity- Privileged Discourse - Post Post Modernism- Critiques of...
Why Trust is Superior to Doubt: Overcoming Modernity
WHY TRUST IS SUPERIOR TO DOUBT Anyone who has a passing familiarity with modern philosophy, will recognize the name Rene Descartes. Indeed, it is not too much to say that he is one of the founding fathers of modernity. This is evident from two of his most important...
Episode 68: Sir Roger Scruton and “The Uses of Pessimism”
Sir Roger Scruton and "The Uses of Pessimism" In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith discuss Sir Roger Scruton (1944-2020), a conservative political Philosopher and author of the book, "The Uses of Pessimism". We cover:- Legacy of Roger Scruton- Three Principles of...
Episode 67: Understanding the Trinity
Understanding the Trinity In this episode, Jason and Dr. Bulzacchelli discuss the topic of his upcoming course on the Trinity. We cover:- The difficulty of the task- The term 'Father' and other male language- The difference between 'that' and 'how'- The Foundation of...
Episode 66: The Totality of the Epiphany
The Totality of the Epiphany In this episode, Jason and Dr. Bulzacchelli discuss the feast days of Epiphany and Baptism of the Lord. We cover:- Christmas, Epiphany, Baptism of the Lord- The Magi- The Star- God uses the Star- Eschatological considerations to these...
Episode 65: Rising to Glory: Repentance and the Way of Heaven (Great Divorce Part 3)
Rising to Glory: Repentance and the Way of Heaven (Great Divorce Part 3) In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith wrap up their conversation on 'The Great Divorce'. Click Here to Support CSA Please subscribe to our podcast on iTunes or Google Play to get...
Episode 64: Pride is the Path to Hell: The Great Divorce Part 2
Pride is the Path to Hell: The Great Divorce Part 2 In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith continue their discussion on C.S. Lewis' masterpiece 'The Great Divorce'. Click Here to Support CSA Please subscribe to our podcast on iTunes or Google Play to get...
What is Advent All About?
Ask almost any Catholic you meet what the season of Advent is all about and you’re likely to get the response, “preparing for Christmas,” or “preparing for the birth of Christ.” Advent ends with the Feast of the Nativity or our Lord, after all, which is the first...
Episode 63: The Great Divorce, Part 1
The Great Divorce, Part 1 In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith discuss C.S. Lewis' classic, The Great Divorce. Click Here to Support CSA Please subscribe to our podcast on iTunes or Google Play to get future episodes! ...
Art, Education, and Perfection
Often those of us who have benefited from a classical education bemoan the decline of the liberal arts in education, but fail to provide a clear rational for its value. Worse still, sometimes we seek to justify the liberal arts in pragmatic, capitalist, or utilitarian...
Episode 62: The Virtuous Soldier
The Virtuous Soldier In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith discuss the idea of virtue and the soldier. We cover:- An application of the primacy of the common good- What is a soldier- Is it good to be a soldier- Combat and lethal force- The virtues of a soldier-...
Episode 61: Political Wisdom and the Common Good
Political Wisdom and the Common Good In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith discuss the third principle or the primacy of the common good. We cover:- Review of first two principles- Man is naturally political- The political community is the 'perfect' community- The...
Episode 60: The Principles of Political Wisdom
The Principles of Political Wisdom In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith discuss what the classics have to offer us with regards to political wisdom. We cover:- Political wisdom is not political science- Man is naturally political- Politics has a natural end, therefore...
Episode 59: Changing World, Unchanging God
Changing World, Unchanging God In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith discuss St. Thomas' 2nd way of demonstrating God's existence. We cover:- We live in a changing world- Secondary or intermediary causes- The Efficient Cause- Absurd positions against this way-...
Real Education is the Cultivation of Human Nature
Education is neither science nor magic. It is not a machine because man, the subject of education, is not a machine; it is not magic because man is not reducible to a material mechanism that may be manipulated by natural or “magical” processes. The essential problem...
