Moderators: David Albertson & Fr. Luke Dysinger

Catholic Christianity learned from ancient Greek ethics that a good human life requires “virtues,” or capacities for excellence. In this seminar we will first ask: What is virtue, and what does it have to do with divine Beauty? Then we will explore how ancient Christians deepened and transformed these ideas through prayer, spiritual reading, and song.

Topics & Readings:

Session I: Beauty and virtue from Plato to Aristotle

Reading: Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Part 1 & Part 2

Session II: Ancient Christian poetry: psalmody, lectio, chant

Reading: Evagrius of Pontus, Prayer

Seminar Schedule:

9:00-9:30 Mass in Church of Our Savior (optional)
9:30-10:00 Coffee & donuts on the patio
10:00-11:30 Session 1 in Newman Hall
11:30-12:30 Buffet Lunch outside on the patio
12:30-1:30 Session 2 in Newman Hall

This series is made possible by the support of the Grant “In Lumine: Supporting the Catholic Intellectual Tradition on Campuses Nationwide” from the John Templeton Foundation, Grant #62372.