For many, a name synonymous with C.S. Lewis is the philosopher Dr. Peter Kreeft. In this episode, David asks Dr. Kreeft as many listener-submitted questions as he can in sixty minutes…
S5E66: “Philosopher and Guide”, After Hours with Dr. Peter Kreeft (Download)
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Show Notes
Introduction
Quote-of-the-week
“Good philosophy must exist, if for no other reason, because bad philosophy needs to be answered.”
C.S. Lewis, Learning in War-time
Biographical Information
Dr. Peter Kreeft is a professor of philosophy at Boston College.
He loves his many grandchildren, four children, one wife, one cat, and one God.
He is a well-known speaker and author of many, many, many books, including The Philosophy of Tolkien, How to destroy Western Civilization, Prayer for beginners, C.S. Lewis for the Third Millennium and Jesus Shock.
Guest Biographical Information
Chit-Chat
- We discussed the possibly of drinking scotch in schools to improve literary levels!
- Dr. Kreeft deftly rebuts solipsism.
Beverage and Toast
David was drinking Vat 69 and toasted all the listeners who have repeatedly requested that Dr. Kreeft come on the show!
Discussion
1. “A Kreeft by any other name…”
- How do you pronounce your last name?
- Krēeft – Danish origin, meaning “Lobster”
- Peter – Greek, meaning “Rock”
- Peter Kreeft = Rock Lobster
2. “What a joke!”
- The first time I heard you speak was in DC about fifteen years ago. The main thing I remember about it is the number of jokes you told (chiefly about flatulence) in a chapel!
- Lawyer Joke
3. “Surf’s up!”
- What do you love about surfing?
- What have been your favorite place(s) in the world to surf?
- What are some of your favourite “small pleasures” in life?
4. “Oremus!”
- How do you pray?
- Has ADD so loves the rosary because it gives him something to do
5. “American Cricket”
- The sport of Baseball is boring. What can you say to change my mind?
6. “Teacher’s lessons”
- You’ve been a professor at Boston College for a long time, but what have you learned from your time teaching there?
7. “Philosophy”
- You have spent your life teaching philosophy. What actually is philosophy?
- Is there such a thing as a “Christian philosophy” or are there just Christian’s who do philosophy?
- You wrote a book called The Greatest Philosopher whoever lived. Who is it?
8. “More books than years”
- My Dad was a salesman and his big brag was that he had travelled to more countries than his age. I heard that you had, at one point, written more books than your age – was that true? Is it still true?
- Speaking as someone who’s struggling writing his first book, how have you managed to output so much?
9. “The rise of the machines”
- Do you still just own a flip phone? Even my mother has a smartphone now.
10. “Kreeft Books”
- Which of your books are you most proud of?
- Back in 2007 you wrote a book called “Before I Go: Letters to Our Children About What Really Matters”. It’s now 13 years later. What would you add or change?
- I’m a father of a one-year old – what do you think is the most important thing I need to teach my son?
- What was your own Dad like?
- You’re a Catholic and a former Calvinist, yet much like Lewis, you garner good will from Catholic and Protestant alike. How do you do it?
- You have a book “Catholics and Protestants: What Can We Learn from Each Other?” What’s one thing Catholics and Protestants can learn from each other?
11. “CSL Book Awards”
- What is your favourite Lewis book? What do you think is his best?
Reality is iconoclastic
Dr. Jerry Root
12. “Encountering Lewis”
- During our interviews on the show, when I ask people how they came to discover Lewis, your name sometimes comes up, but how did you discover him?
- Lewis addressed the question of suffering in The Problem of Pain and A Grief Observed. What are the main things he wanted to teach us about suffering and is there anything you’d add? Lewis also cared about animal suffering – what are your thoughts on the subject?
- If you could be transported back in time to an Inklings meeting… what piece of poetry or prose would you choose to read out loud to the group?
13. “The Great Divorce”
14. “CSL – Philosopher?”
- Your series on philosophy, “Socrates’ Children”, you include a section on Chesterton but not Lewis. Do you not consider Lewis a philosopher or was there some other reason?
15. “G.K. Chesterton’s Contribution”
- My wife runs Pints With Chesterton and she asked me to ask you what you think his main contribution to the world has been.
16. “Lewisian Ventriloquism”
- You’ve written several books where you’ve had C.S. Lewis as a character in the story. Is it daunting trying to put words into his mouth?
17. “Movie adaptation”
- One of those works is where the three men who died on November 22, 1963, namely C. S. Lewis, John F. Kennedy and Aldous Huxley share in conversation Between Heaven and Hell. Has there ever been thought of converting that book into a stage production?
18. “Least favourite CSL book?”
- What’s your least favourite of Lewis’ books?
19. “Inklings recital”
- If you could travel back in time and read any piece of poetry or prose at an Inklings meeting, what would it be?
20. “Season 6 advice”
- We’re going to be reading the first of Lewis’ Ransom Trilogy this season, “Out of the Silent Planet”. What advice do you have for us?
21. “Mrs Lewis”
- How do you think Joy Davidman changed Jack?
22. “Reading Tolkien”
- Is it true that on your first reading of The Lord of the Rings that you abandoned it?
23. “Rings of Power”
- Have you been watching The Rings of Power? What do you think so far?
24. “Tom Bombadil”
- Please explain Tom Bomberdil…
25. “Red Sox Fans?”
- Would C.S. Lewis have been a Red Sox Fan?
26. “Future Projects”
- What are you working on next?
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