About this episode

The episode features a discussion on the significance of Homer's Odyssey and its themes in relation to Western thought and education.

For the first time since 2023, Ascend is reposting an episode--our introduction to the Odyssey with Dr. Patrick Deneen (6.25.2024) in anticipation of our NEW 12-WEEK STUDY of the Odyssey starting next week! We start BOOK ONE OF THE ODYSSEY next week! Check us out on X, Facebook, Instagram, and more ! In this special introduction to Homer’s Odyssey , Deacon Harrison Garlick is joined by three distinguished guests: Dr. Patrick Deneen (Professor of Political Science at Notre Dame and author of Why Liberalism Failed ), Dr. Chad Pecknold (Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at The Catholic University of America), and Dr. Richard Meloche (then President of the Alcuin Institute for Catholic Culture). The conversation explores why the Great Books matter, why Homer’s Odyssey remains foundational to Western thought and theological formation, and key introductory themes in the epic (with a few light spoilers). Topics include the dynamic nature of the canon, Odysseus’s journey home as a meditation on human nature (neither beast nor god), the tension between fate and choice, temptations of forgetfulness or false immortality, and how a Catholic lens reveals anticipations of Christian…

People in this episode

Host: Harrison Garlick

Guests: Dr. Patrick Deneen, Dr. Chad Pecknold, Dr. Richard Meloche

Topics covered

• Homer's Odyssey
• Great Books
• Western thought
• theological formation
• human nature
• narrative in education
• spiritual formation

Keywords

• Odyssey
• Homer
• Great Books
• Western thought
• theological themes
• human nature
• narrative
• education
• spiritual formation

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Notre Dame, The Catholic University of America, Alcuin Institute for Catholic Culture

Books & works: Odyssey

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