Culture: Procreative or Decreative (10x3)

Culture: Procreative or Decreative (10x3)

From The Optimistic Curmudgeon by OptimisticCurmudgeon2021

February 10, 2026 · 58 min · Episode 109

About this episode

Graham Dennis discusses culture through the concepts of 'procreative' and 'decreative', touching on various philosophical and literary topics.

Graham Dennis is a Dean of Academics for Veritas Academy and an elder in the CREC; he also holds a PhD in philosophy. In this wide ranging conversation, he introduces a particular way of reading culture through the lens of "procreative" and "decreative." From there, the conversation turns to C.S. Lewis, Perelandra, That Hideous Strength, gender, transgender, Phillip Rieff, Life among the Deathworks, Narnia, literary theory, Augustine's ordo amoris, and a host of other topics. Enjoy!

People in this episode

Guest: Graham Dennis

Topics covered

  • culture
  • philosophy
  • gender
  • literary theory
  • C.S. Lewis
  • transgender
  • ordo amoris

Keywords

  • procreative
  • decreative
  • C.S. Lewis
  • gender
  • transgender
  • literary theory
  • Augustine

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Veritas Academy, CREC

Books & works: Perelandra, That Hideous Strength, Life among the Deathworks, Narnia

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