Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, Deacon Harrison Garlick and Dr. Justin Jackson host a Q&A on Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. They explore major themes such as the role of femininity, the moral dilemmas faced by Gawain, and the significance of the girdle.

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The conversation highlights Gawain's character development, the tension between chivalric ideals and Christian morality, and the Green Knight's role as a tempter. Through a detailed analysis, they uncover the layers of meaning within the poem, emphasizing the intentional tension crafted by the poet.

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guests

03:13 Teaching 'Sir Gawain and the Green Knight'

06:34 The Role of Women in the Poem

12:27 The Tension Between Pagan and Christian Elements

21:57 Gawain's Moral Dilemmas and Compartmentalization

28:05 The Confession Scene and Its Implications

37:02 Confession and Contrition

40:56 The Green Knight's Dual Role

51:58 Chivalry, Cowardice, and the Girdle

01:02:50 Symbolism of Colors in Gawain

01:07:31 The Intensity of the Green Knight

01:08:36 Gawain's Confrontation and Internal Conflict

01:11:29 The Symbolism of the Green Girdle

01:17:24 The Ending: Bliss and Blunder

01:26:19 Final Thoughts on Gawain's Journey

Keywords

Sir Gawain, Green Knight, themes, femininity, chivalry, morality, confession, literature, medieval, analysis, Sir Gawain, Green Knight, chivalry, medieval literature, symbolism, courtly love, Morgan Le Fay, color symbolism, moral lessons, literary analysis, great books, philosophy, Catholic, Catholicism

Takeaways

1. The tension in the poem is intentional and significant.
2. Gawain's character is complex, showcasing both strengths and weaknesses.
3. The role of femininity is prominent and influential in the narrative.
4. The girdle symbolizes Gawain's internal conflict and moral struggles.
5. Gawain's confession scene raises important questions about sincerity and contrition.
6. The Green Knight serves as a tempter, challenging Gawain's virtues.
7. The poem explores the interplay between pagan and Christian ideals.
8. Gawain's journey reflects a maturation of character and understanding.
9. The hunting scenes parallel Gawain's temptations and moral choices.
10. The...

Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, Deacon Harrison Garlick and Dr. Donald Prudlo explore the intricate relationship between Plato and St. Thomas Aquinas, examining how Aquinas's thought is influenced by Platonic philosophy while also being rooted in Aristotle.

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They discuss the nuances of Aquinas' understanding of universals, the nature of evil, and the significance of the body in Christian anthropology, highlighting the complexities of Aquinas's intellectual context and the historical development of these philosophical ideas.

They discuss how Aquinas synthesized various philosophical traditions, particularly in his understanding of existence and essence, the role of beauty, and the moral implications of his metaphysics. The dialogue also touches on the early church's reception (or rejection) of Aristotle, the influence of Islamic philosophy, and the evolution of Aquinas' thought throughout his life.

Ultimately, the conversation highlights the richness of Aquinas' philosophy and its relevance to contemporary discussions on faith and reason.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Great Books Podcast

03:11 Experiencing the Papal Conclave

06:34 Plato and Aquinas: A Complex Relationship

12:43 Aquinas' Intellectual Evolution

17:02 The Importance of Reading the Great Books

24:25 Platonic Thought in Aquinas' Philosophy

34:48 The Quest for Certitude in Philosophy

37:20 Realism and the Nature of Universals

40:56 Mind-Body Dualism and the Significance of the Body

47:36 The Reception of Aristotle in Early Christianity

54:09 The Distinction Between Essence and Existence

01:04:53 The Role of Beauty in Aquinas' Philosophy

01:06:38 Exploring Beauty in Philosophy

01:11:23 The Role of Beauty in St. Thomas Aquinas

01:13:44 The Ladder of Love and Its Implications

01:19:18 Essence and Existence in Thomistic Thought

01:21:41 The Hierarchy of Being and Divine Wisdom

01:25:22 The Evolution of Aquinas' Thought

01:27:35 Understanding Aquinas Through His Influences

01:30:17 Final Thoughts on Faith and Reason

Takeaways

1. Aquinas is often mischaracterized as purely Aristotelian.
2. The relationship between Plato and Aristotle is more complex (and harmonious) than often portrayed.
3. Aquinas' thought is enriched by both Platonic and Aristotelian influences.
4. Evil is understood as a privation of the good in Aquinas's philosophy.
5. Aquinas' understanding of universals differs from both Plato and Aristotle.
6. The concept of exitus and reditus is a key Neoplatonic idea in Aquinas.
7. The mind-body dualism presents challenges for Christian thought.
8. Aquinas retained Platonic emphasis on the...

In this episode of the Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, Deacon Harrison Garlick engages in a profound discussion with Dr. Thomas Ward from Baylor University about Plato's influence on St. Boethius.

The conversation begins with an exploration of Boethius's life, particularly his role as a Roman statesman and philosopher during a tumultuous time in history. Dr. Ward highlights St. Boethius's seminal work, "The Consolation of Philosophy," written while he awaited execution, and discusses its impact on medieval thought and the liberal arts tradition. The dialogue emphasizes St. Boethius's unique position as a bridge between Roman and medieval philosophy, often referred to as the last of the Romans and the first of the medievals.

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As the conversation unfolds, the discussion shifts to the Platonic influences on St. Boethius's writings. Dr. Ward explains how Boethius synthesized Platonic and Aristotelian thought, particularly in his understanding of the good and the nature of happiness. The episode delves into the themes of evil as privation, the nature of true happiness, and the philosophical journey from despair to enlightenment that St. Boethius undergoes in his work.

The dialogue is rich with references to other philosophical texts, including the works of Plato, and draws parallels between Boethius's ideas and those found in the writings of later thinkers like Dante and Aquinas. Overall, the episode serves as a compelling introduction to Boethius's thought and its enduring relevance in the study of philosophy.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Great Books Podcast

02:24 Exploring Boethius and His Influence

04:16 Who Was Boethius?

07:49 Boethius: The Last Roman and First Scholastic

10:18 The Liberal Arts and Boethius' Legacy

11:36 Teaching Boethius: A Personal Journey

14:07 Plato's Influence on Boethius

18:50 The Consolation of Philosophy: Setting the Stage

24:31 Lady Philosophy: Deconstruction and Reconstruction

29:58 The Quest for Self-Knowledge

30:51 Fortune and Its Dual Nature

31:53 The Good: Bridging Plato and Christianity

36:19 Happiness and the Divine Connection

40:00 The Paradox of Good and Evil

45:11 The Poetic and Philosophical Fusion

48:44 Evil as Privation: A Platonic Insight

52:08 Boethius: A Synthesis of Philosophical Traditions

Takeaways

1. Boethius is often called the last of the Romans and the first of the Medievals.
2. His work, "The Consolation of Philosophy," was written while he awaited execution.
3. Boethius synthesized Platonic and Aristotelian thought in his writings.
4. Evil is understood as a privation of good, not a substance in itself.
5. The journey from despair to enlightenment is central to Boethius's philosophy.

Keywords

Boethius, Plato, Consolation of Philosophy, medieval philosophy, Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, Thomas Ward, liberal arts, happiness, evil as privation, philosophy, Deacon Harrison Garlick, great...