Philosophy and Faith
Podcast from Daniel and Nathan
The Supposed Rationality of Greek Philosophy
June 19, 2024 • Daniel Jepsen, Nathan Beasley
In this episode, we delve into the early history of Greek philosophy, focusing on the Milesian school. The discussion covers Thales, Anaximander, and Anaximenes, examining their metaphysical inquiries about the fundamental nature of reality. We also discuss the broader implications of their thinking, such as assumptions about the eternity of matter, the rational comprehensibility of the universe, and the capacity of the human mind to understand it. These foundational ideas are tied to later philosophical developments and contemporary thought.
History of Philosophy, part 2: Thales and Early Greek Thought
June 11, 2024 • Daniel Jepsen, Nathan Beasley
Exploring the Foundations: The Role of Thales in the Birth of Greek Philosophy In this episode, we delve into the history and philosophy, focusing on Thales of Miletus, who is often considered the first philosopher. We review the importance of understanding historical and intellectual contexts and explore Thales' groundbreaking idea that water is the fundamental substance of everything. The discussion touches on critical concepts such as the shapeless stream, fate, and the significance of autonomous human reasoning in the development of philosophy. The episode also examines skepticism and its recurring role in philosophical discourse, setting the stage for future explorations of early Greek philosophers.
History of Philosophy, part 1: Before Philosophy
June 5, 2024 • Daniel Jepsen, Nathan Beasley
"We study history not to remember the past but to understand the present". That is the reason for this series. In this episode we discuss the intellectual seed-bed of the ancient world, especially that of Greece. We begin in Crete, whose Minoan civilization predated and heavily influenced the Grecian culture on the mainland. More specifically we talk about: Who "counts" as philosophers The philosophy and thought of the Minoan civilization The meaning of monism Mysticism in the ancient world The mystery religions and their connection with philosophy How the earliest Greek thought influences our thinking today
The Moral Argument for God‘s Existence (with Dr. Justin Gash)
May 30, 2024 • Daniel Jepsen, Nathan Beasley, Justin Gash
What does our notions of right and wrong tell us about the existence of God? In this episode Dr. Justin Gash of Franklin College joins us to tackle this fascinating question. We discuss the moral argument for God's existence, describe how it is usually countered, and then analyze those counter-arguments. In the end we each give our take on how effective this argument is in achieving various goals.
Guest: Justin Gash
Daniel Jepsen, Nathan Beasley, Justin Gash
Today we have our first guest: Dr. Justin Gash of Franklin College. Justin is a professor in the math department, and also assistant Dean of the college. He occasionally teaches a class on Reasonable Faith, as well as guiding independent studies of that material. Our conversation is about his own intellectual/spiritual journey, what he has learned from teaching these classes, and what he thinks about the arguments for God's existence. In our next episode, Dr. Gash will walk us through his favorite argument for the existence of God: the moral argument.
Why Did God Create The Universe?
April 10, 2024 • Daniel Jepsen, Nathan Beasley
The great philosopher Martin Heidegger said the most fundamental question in philosophy is this: Why is there something rather than nothing? Christianity, unlike naturalism, gives an answer to the question, and it is both satisfying and stimulating.
God and the Universe
March 18, 2024 • Nathan Beasley, Daniel Jepsen
This episode focuses on the relationship between God and the universe. More specifically we will address: The problem of evil Why naturalism makes the problem of evil worse Why the church has sometimes come across as anti-sex Theism vs. naturalism and eastern thought on this question Is the ultimate nature of reality personal or material, and what difference does this make? Will we have physical bodies after death and resurrection? and more
Knowing God, part 2: Knowing the Unknowable God
March 12, 2024 • Nathan Beasley, Daniel Jepsen
How can we know the God who transcends human categories and ways of knowing? Some thinkers have said that we can only have "negative" knowledge about God: that the only thing we can say of Him is that He is not like the things of this world. But is it possible to go beyond that, and, if so, how? This episode also includes a discussion of the following: How negative theology paved the way for mysticism, both in the western church but especially in the Eastern (Orthodox) church. The meaning of icons How analogical knowledge of God works. How pseudo-Dionysius, Maimonides and Aquinas answered the problem of how we can know God.
Knowing God, Part 1
March 5, 2024 • Daniel Jepsen, Nathan Beasley
How can we know God? He's not a part of this universe of time, space, with its forms of causation, movement, or even being. So how is it possible to know Him? That is what this episode deals with. Note: we did have some technical problems with the audio on this one, so parts of it are a bit muffled (but not too bad).
Our Purpose and Destiny
Why are we here, and what happens to us after we die? This episode answers those questions through the lens of the four great worldviews (theism, naturalism, paganism, and Eastern thought). A resource mentioned in this episode: https://www.amazon.com/universe-next-door-worldview-catalog/dp/0830849386/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=2rg98dwsjqlaw&keywords=the+universe+next+door&qid=1707842062&sprefix=the+universe+ne%2caps%2c116&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkz2v0tmftzt1zcf9hdgy&psc=1 by James Sire.