History of Ideas
The development of human thought reveals the power of ideas to shape civilization—and the enduring influence of theistic philosophy.
The Great Conversation
Intellectual history is a conversation across centuries about fundamental questions. Mortimer Adler called it 'the Great Conversation'—humanity's ongoing dialogue about ultimate things.
The perennial questions persist because they matter. Does God exist? What is the good life? What is justice? Every generation must answer these questions; no one can avoid them.
- Perennial Questions: Does God exist? What is the good life? What is justice? These questions persist because they are inescapable.
- Theistic Tradition: From Plato through Augustine to Aquinas to today—a continuous tradition of theistic thought. This tradition has resources for contemporary problems.
- Secular Alternatives: Modern secular philosophies often struggle with problems theism solves. Naturalism cannot ground morality, meaning, or rationality.
- Convergent Wisdom: The great thinkers across traditions converge on certain truths. C.S. Lewis's 'Tao' documents this convergence.
Contemporary Relevance
Understanding intellectual history illuminates current debates. We cannot understand where we are without knowing how we got here.
The 'secularization thesis'—that modernity inevitably leads to religious decline—has been falsified. Religion is resurgent globally, and theistic philosophy is experiencing a renaissance in academia.
- Roots of Secularism: Understanding how we got here helps evaluate where we are. Charles Taylor's 'A Secular Age' traces the path to disenchantment.
- Recovery of Tradition: Resources from the past can address contemporary problems. Virtue ethics, natural law, and classical theism are being recovered.
- Theistic Renaissance: Contemporary philosophy shows renewed interest in theistic arguments. Plantinga, Swinburne, and Craig have revitalized natural theology.
- Post-Secular Turn: Thinkers like Habermas acknowledge that secular reason needs religious resources. The 'post-secular' recognizes religion's enduring relevance.