Catholic Studies Academy Podcast Jason Gale

Why do conservatives revile higher education? Is there any way for conservatives and higher education to reconcile? In this episode of Take Every Thought Captive, Dr. Smith addresses the open hostility between conservatives and higher education. He discusses conservative anti-intellectual attitudes, the "woke left," and the nature of higher education. Along the way Dr. Smith develops an Aristotelian-Thomist argument for the abiding significance of higher education for conservatives.

Topics include:

The nature of education
The importance of higher education
Human nature
The meaning of conservatism
The classical virtue of piety
For more great content from Dr. Smith, check out logoletter2022.substack.com.

#highereducation, #conservatism, #thewokeleft

In this episode of Take Every Thought Captive, Dr. Smith interviews special guest Mr. Phillip Berns, ABD graduate student at the Center for Thomistic Studies. Mr. Berns' research focuses on the intersection of economics and Aristotelian philosophy. This is a serious exploration of the nature of economics, the scientific character of economic theory, and the morality of economic action. Frequent contributor, Mr. Joseph Grossheim (MA philosophy, ABD) also joins in the discussion. Topics include:

The meaning of economics
The place of economics in Aristotelian philosophy
The relative autonomy or subordination of economics
The connection of economics to the political common good
Just economy
Economics and the philosophy of the human person

In this episode of Take Every Thought Captive, Dr. Bulzacchelli explores the historical origins and major theological themes of Advent and Christmas. The discussion centers on the development of the liturgy and the ways in which these liturgical seasons help us to encounter Christ. The discussion concludes with suggestions for better ways to celebrate these important seasons.

Historical origins
Liturgical development
The intersection of personal devotion and liturgy
The eschatological themes of Advent
The historical-redemptive significance of Christmas
How to get the most out of Advent and Christmas

In this episode of Take Every Thought Captive, Dr. Smith explores the modes of thought that have led us to our contemporary crisis in culture and elucidates five Thomistic principles for recovering an authentic sense of reality. Dr. Smith discusses the reliability of human reason, the errors of postmodernism, and the proper understanding of nature. This is a crucial and important episode that you do not want to miss!

Topics include:

Postmodernism, scientism, and existentialism
The reliability of human cognition
The meaning of truth
The reality of nature
Nature acts for end

In this episode of Take Every Thought Captive, Dr. Smith and Dr. Bulzacchelli discuss the recent US elections using the political categories developed by Aristotle, including aristocracy, oligarchy, democracy, republicanism, etc. Dr. Smith defends the view that American politics features a broad middle-class, focused on the household defending itself from domination by oligarchs and revolution and redistribution by the "dispossessed."

Topics:
What is democracy?
How do democracy and oligarchy differ?
Why is the middle-class the predominant class in a republic?
The distinguishing values of oligarchy, democracy, and republicanism
Immigration
The future of American politics

For more great content from Dr. Smith visit: https://logosletter2022.substack.com/

Perhaps the most notorious statement in the history of philosophy is Friedrich Nietzsche's claim that "God is Dead." In this episode of "Take Every Thought Captive," Dr. Smith and Dr. Bulzacchelli discuss the death of God, the rise of unbelief, and the sources of unbelief identified by Nietzsche. Ironically, Nietzsche turns out to be a useful resource for Christians, because of his keen understanding of the causes of unbelief. The conversation wraps up with a brief discussion of Dr. Smith's newest project, Logos Letter. In this new publication, Dr. Smith explores the history of philosophy, culture, politics, faith, and everything else. Subscribe for free here: https://logosletter2022.substack.com/.

Topics include:
The meaning of the death of God
The four causes of unbelief
Christian responses to the death of God
The parable of the madman

Finally, follow Dr. Smith on Twitter: @logosletter2022.