In this episode of the Ascend to the Great Books podcast, Deacon Harrison Garlick welcomes back Grayson Quay to discuss his new book, 'The Transhumanist Temptation.'

The conversation delves into the ideological roots of transhumanism, its implications for humanity, and the historical context that has led to its rise. Quay emphasizes the importance of teleology in understanding human nature and critiques the modern conception of freedom as it relates to technology. The discussion also touches on the challenges posed by technology, the influence of Nietzsche, and the need for a moral framework to navigate the complexities of modern life. Join us for a great conversation!

BOOK: The Transhumanist Temptation by Grayson Quay

You can read the great books with Ascend! Visit thegreatbookspodcast.com for our reading schedule.

NEXT WEEK we start our study on Plato!

Summary of Book

From the dawn of creation, the serpent’s whispered lie—“ye shall be as gods”—has echoed through history, and today it manifests itself in the growing transhumanist movement.

Our world stands at a crossroads with commercial surrogacy, genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, and “gender-affirming care” threatening to radically reshape human nature. Will we stand firm on ancient wisdom or risk losing our humanity altogether?

Grayson Quay deftly overturns the lies of transhumanism and cautions readers about the dystopian brave new world that has already arrived and will only get worse. And yet, he argues, transhumanism has more to do with philosophy than technology. The seeds of transhumanism were all there in the various isms of centuries past, but, under the harsh light of twenty-first-century science, they’re growing as never before.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Ascend and the Great Books

01:06 Exploring Transhumanism: The Book Introduction

02:54 Inspiration Behind the Book

04:31 Defining Transhumanism and Its Ideological Roots

06:40 Target Audience and the Purpose of the Book

09:40 Historical Context of Humanism and Transhumanism

12:15 Understanding Teleology and Its Importance

17:41 The Ethics of Medicine and Technology

19:45 The Concept of Freedom in Modernity

23:47 Technology's Role in Transhumanism

27:42 The Moral Framework for Technology

30:02 The Impact of Technology on Humanity

35:40 Transhumanism and the Nature of Man

42:34 The Asymmetrical Warfare of Parenting in a Digital Age

46:44 Theological Implications of Transhumanism

54:34 Two Competing Visions of Transhumanism

Visit thegreatbookspodcast.com for more information!

Today on Ascend the Greek Books Podcast, we wrap up our exploration of the Greek plays with a lively roundtable discussion. Our panel of friends delves into the key themes of the tragic plays, including divinity, eros, fate, justice, the cosmos, virtue, and suffering.

We explore plays such as the Oresteia, Prometheus Bound, the Theban plays, and the Bacchae, with insights from Homer, Hesiod, and Aristophanes. Don't miss this engaging conversation as we prepare to embark on our next journey with Plato.

Visit thegreatbookspodcast.com for our reading schedule!

Visit our Patreon page for written guides and a community chat on Plato!

Summary

In this episode of the Great Books Podcast, the hosts and guests engage in a round table discussion about key themes in Greek plays, including divinity, Eros, fate, and free will. They share their favorite plays and insights gained from their readings, exploring how these themes evolve from Homer to later playwrights. The conversation highlights the complexity of Eros as both a binding force and a source of mania, as well as the characters' limited agency in the face of divine intervention.

The discussion culminates in a reflection on the implications of these themes for understanding Greek literature and philosophy. The conversation explores the themes of fatalism versus determinism, agency in Greek tragedy, the role of the gods, the evolution of justice, the nature of the cosmos, virtue, and the purpose of suffering. The speakers discuss how these themes are interwoven in the works of Homer and Aeschylus, highlighting the complexity of human actions, moral order, and the divine influence in Greek thought.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates

06:38 Favorite Plays and Surprising Discoveries

12:25 The Maturation of Thought on Divinity

19:40 The Splintering and Obsessive Qualities of the Gods

23:57 The Tension Between the Divine and Natural Phenomena

25:47 Exploring the Concept of Divinity

43:00 The Dual Nature of Eros

55:54 Debating Fate and Free Will

59:39 Plato's Symposium: Eros as Ascent

01:01:30 The Interplay of Fate and Human Agency

01:14:53 Justice and Retribution in Homer's Epics

01:32:13 The Maturation of Justice in Aeschylus' Plays

01:39:14 The Challenge of Justice in the Story of Oedipus

01:44:40 The Redemptive Power of Suffering

01:50:55 The Influence of the Cosmos on Virtue and Piety

01:59:58 The Crucifixion: Suffering and Redemption

02:09:28 Sharing the Wisdom: Importance of Discussion

02:17:07 Insights into Justice, the Cosmos, Virtue, and Suffering

Keywords: Greek plays, divinity, Eros, fate, free will, themes, literature, philosophy, podcast, discussion, fatalism, determinism, agency, Greek tragedy, justice, cosmos, virtue, suffering, Homer, Aeschylus

Hashtags: #GreekPlays #Tragedy #Philosophy #GreatBooks

Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, we are joined by Tsh Oxenreider to discuss The Frogs by Aristophanes. The play tells the comedic story of Dionysus deciding all the new tragic poets are terrible, so he travels to Hades to bring back Euripides to help save Athen’s from her moral decay. Once in Hades, Dionysus has several adventures, which includes hosting a poetry contest between Aeschylus and Euripides to see who is the best tragedian.

Visit thegreatbookspodcast.com for our reading schedule!

Visit our Patreon page for our library of written guides to the great books!

For those who do not know Tsh Oxenreider, she is wonderful. She’s an author, blogger, and podcaster. I was on her podcast a while back to discuss acedia and love of eros. Great conversation. And today, we have a high-level, friendly chat about this The Frongs and our love of the great books in general.

So join us today for a enjoyable conversation on Aristophanes’ the Frogs.

ALSO: We start PLATO on 7.22.25! Check out our website for our reading schedule. Join us!

00:00 Introduction

01:09 Tish Oxenreider's Background and Love for the Great Books

07:07 Introduction to Aristophanes and 'The Frogs'

09:17 Appreciating Aristophanes' Comedy

18:14 The Role of Comedy in Teaching Lessons

21:59 The Humor and Juxtaposition in 'The Frogs'

27:18 Comparing Aristophanes and Euripides

30:26 The Title 'The Frogs' and its Significance

32:51 The Impact of Translation on the Reading Experience

34:29 The Power of Lightness

34:55 The Relief of Small Pleasures

35:54 Remembering the Power of Truth and Beauty

37:43 The Transformative Power of Great Works

39:00 Dionysus as the Go-Between

40:18 Poets as Teachers