
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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