The Classical Mind

Latest Episodes:

Monsters in Literature with Kristen Rudd Feb 26, 2024

Show notes

On this special bonus episode, Fr. Wesley sits down with Kristen Rudd to discuss monsters in literature. Kristen will be teaching a class this summer for adults on the topic. You can find out more at her website: https://kristenrudd.com

Kristen is a writer and literature teacher who teaches her own classes online, and serves as an adjunct professor for Thales College. She holds a Master of Arts in Teaching in Classical Education through the Templeton Honors College at Eastern University where she wrote her thesis on Dante’s Divine Comedy. She is also the founder of the Triangle Classical Forum.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.theclassicalmind.com/subscribe

Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare Feb 19, 2024

Show notes

“Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones; So let it be with Caesar.”

On this episode, Dr. Junius Johnson and Fr. Wesley Walker sit down with Heidi White to talk about Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. Why does Caesar appear so little in a play in which he is the titular character? How should we think about the actions of Brutus and his co-conspirators? What lessons about friendship can we learn from this work? What is the relationship between rhetoric and crowds? These are just some of the questions that get covered in the episode.

End Notes:

* Junius: Dear Brutus by J.M. Barrie

* Heidi: Caesar Must Die(2012)

* Wesley: The Ides of March(2011)

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.theclassicalmind.com/subscribe

The Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle Jan 16, 2024

Show notes

Join Dr. Junius Johnson and Fr. Wesley Walker as they discuss Artistotle's famous treatise on virtue: The Nicomachean Ethics. How can we be happy? What is virtue and how do we acquire it? Why do friends matter? Listen to find out!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.theclassicalmind.com/subscribe

Troilus and Criseyde Dec 05, 2023

Show notes

Troilus and Criseyde by Geoffrey Chaucer is the tale of love gained and love lost. Heavily impacted by the chivalric codes, is this a story about a frivolous affair or is something else going on? Dive into this work with Dr. Junius Johnson and Fr. Wesley Walker on this episode of The Classical Mind!

FYI: there are a few places where the audio might sound a tad choppy. This will be fixed in future episodes.

The Classical Mind is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.theclassicalmind.com/subscribe

The Social Contract by Jean-Jacques Rousseau Nov 14, 2023

Show notes

What are human beings like outside of the constraints of social conventions? How do we work out the tension between state sovereignty and individual freedom? What place does religion have in society? , Dr. Junius Johnson and Fr. Wesley Walker discuss these questions and more as they delve into Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s monumental work of political philosophy, The Social Contract. Rousseau was a fascinating character whose work influenced generations of thinkers after him.

Endnotes: Wesley and Junius co-offer this lecture by former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, “Faith on Modern Areopagus” in which he discusses some of the positive connections between liberalism and Christianity:

Tell us what you think below. What are your impressions of Rousseau? What do you think of his reconstruction of the state of nature? Do you think his articulation of the Social Contract, especially the way the general will and individual wills interact, is persuasive? Is his account of religion in civil society helpful, harmful, or neutral?

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.theclassicalmind.com/subscribe

Euthyphro Oct 03, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, Dr. Junius Johnson and Fr. Wesley Walker explore the philosophical questions surrounding the nature of piety, ethics, and the divine. Join us for an enlightening discussion that delves deep into this timeless work of ancient philosophy.

End Notes:

* God Matters by Herbert McCabe

* St. Anselm

* “With or Without You” by U2

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.theclassicalmind.com/subscribe

Oedipus Rex and Poetics Sep 05, 2023

Show notes

On today's episode, Junius and Wesley discuss the timeless world of Greek tragedy! They explore the profound themes and dramatic elements of Oedipus Rex by Sophocles and Aristotle's Poetics. Gain insights into the complexities of fate, tragedy, and catharsis in these classical works. Whether you're a literature enthusiast or a student of ancient philosophy, this discussion promises to deepen your understanding of these literary masterpieces. Subscribe now and embark on a journey through the classical mind.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.theclassicalmind.com/subscribe

The Brothers Karamazov Aug 08, 2023

Show notes

On this episode, Junius and Wesley discuss Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s novel Brothers Karamazov.

Endnotes

* Junius: Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

* Wesley: Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.theclassicalmind.com/subscribe

Season 2 Draft Aug 01, 2023

Show notes

On today’s special episode, Junius and Wesley select the books that will make up our reading list in season 2.

One of the reasons to support us for $5 is that you can access the video of the draft which came out a few weeks ago.

Thank you to all of you who support us, financially or otherwise. We appreciate you!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.theclassicalmind.com/subscribe

The Iliad Jul 11, 2023

Show notes

Today we discuss The Iliad by Homer.

End Notes:

-Hesiod, Theogony and Works and Days

-Statius, Thebaid

-The Blues of Achilles by Joe Goodkin

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.theclassicalmind.com/subscribe

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