\n<\/p>\n
Jan 16, 2020<\/p>\n
The devastation rationalism has wrought on modernity has yet to
\nbe calculated, because it is the air we breathe, often regardless
\nof our professed beliefs.<\/p>\n
To take politics as an example: the modern left, disenchanted
\nwith the Enlightenment narrative of reason\u2019s supremacy, has, rather
\nthan restoring reason to its proper subordinate place in our vision
\nof reality, instead become skeptical of all claims to truth.
\nLacking a foundation in truth, \u201ccritical thinking,\u201d that shriveled
\nscrap of reason enshrined by academics, has not kept them from
\nbelieving any absurdity one could name. Meanwhile, establishment
\nconservatism has for decades shown little awareness or interest in
\nwhat is beyond immediate political utility\u2014rendering its occasional
\nvictories at the ballot box empty of much power to conserve.<\/p>\n
Nonetheless, a certain artistic-cultural vitality has typically
\nbeen associated with liberalism. Only recently, when liberals have
\ntaken on the role of censorious schoolmarm, has the right begun to
\nappear more creatively daring in its challenge of the status quo.
\nBut this association of creativity with subversion of society\u2019s
\ndominant structures is itself a bequest of the liberal \u201ctradition\u201d,
\nwhose increasing banality should warn those on the right that there
\nis only so much mileage one can get out of exposing corruption and
\nhypocrisy.<\/p>\n
It may be surprising to learn that conservatism began as a This is the first of three episodes exploring themes from The \u00a0<\/p>\n [1:14] The core message and themes of The Vision of the [3:36] Liberalism as anti-culture<\/p>\n [8:15] Liberal freedom and equality are negative and [11:13] The self-perpetuating struggle against phantoms of [14:15] The emptiness of contemporary conservatism exemplified [18:53] Edmund Burke’s critique of the French Revolution and [24:16] Modern intellectuals since Hobbes have wanted to make [29:13] Problems with rationalism and critical thinking as they [32:16] The six fundamental insights of the Western tradition; [37:15] Beauty’s oldest and deepest definition: veritatis [41:05] The most excellent form of human life: contemplation of [46:44] The difference between intellect<\/em> and Links<\/strong><\/p>\n James Matthew Wilson https:\/\/www.jamesmatthewwilson.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n The Vision of the Soul<\/em> James Matthew Wilson on Twitter https:\/\/twitter.com\/JMWSPT<\/a><\/p>\n This podcast is a production of CatholicCulture.org. If you like
\nliterary and aesthetic movement rather than a political one. This
\nis the starting point for a contemporary classic of philosophy,
\nJames Matthew Wilson\u2019s The Vision of the Soul: Truth, Goodness
\nand Beauty in the Western Tradition<\/em>. The conservatives,
\nstarting with Edmund Burke in his critique of the French
\nRevolution, defended the old order on the basis of its beauty.
\nWilson follows them in claiming that Beauty is central to the
\nsoul\u2019s (and the West\u2019s) vision of reality.<\/p>\n
\nVision of the Soul. In this episode, after giving an account of the
\nroots of liberalism and conservatism, and showing the emptiness of
\nliberal \u201cfreedom\u201d, \u201cequality\u201d, and \u201ccritical thinking\u201d, Wilson lays
\nout what he considers the six central insights of the Western
\n(Christian Platonist) tradition, culminating in the contemplation
\nof Being as our greatest excellence and happiness.<\/p>\n
\nSoul<\/em><\/p>\n
\ncontradictory principles<\/p>\n
\ninequality<\/p>\n
\nby the second Bush administration; recovering conservatism\u2019s roots
\nas a literary movement<\/p>\n
\nutilitarian rationalism<\/p>\n
\nreality less interesting and wonderful than it seems<\/p>\n
\nare commonly understood<\/p>\n
\nChristian Platonism<\/p>\n
\nsplendor<\/em>, the splendor of truth<\/p>\n
\nBeing, realized in happiness\/salvation as an end with no further
\nends beyond it<\/p>\n
\nreason<\/em> in relation to truth<\/p>\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Vision-Soul-Goodness-Western-Tradition\/dp\/0813229286<\/a><\/p>\n
\nthe show, please consider supporting us!\u00a0http:\/\/catholicculture.org\/donate\/audio<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n