Uploaded November 2023 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
In this enlightening episode, Patrick Deneen joins John Vervaeke to discuss the innovative approach to teaching philosophy at Chesterton Academy. Deneen delves into the integration of Vervaeke's influential work, particularly "Awakening from the Meaning Crisis," to make philosophical concepts relatable and impactful for students. A significant part of their conversation revolves around students' evolving engagement with philosophy, notably their initial skepticism and eventual appreciation of Socratic and classical teachings. The episode also explores the integration of the school's Catholic ethos with its academic pursuits, underscoring the importance of fostering moral and intellectual virtues. Throughout the discussion, both Deneen and Vervaeke share personal reflections, shedding light on the profound impact of philosophy and wisdom in shaping human experiences and education.
Resources and References
Patrick Deneen
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/patrick-deneen-780174130
Chesterton Academy of the Sacred Heart: chestertonacademyofthesacredheart.org
John Vervaeke
Website: johnvervaeke.com
Patreon: patreon.com/johnvervaeke
Facebook: facebook.com/VervaekeJohn
X: twitter.com/vervaeke_john
YouTube: youtube.com/@johnvervaeke
The Vervaeke Foundation: vervaekefoundation.org
Awakening from the Meaning Crisis Series :youtube.com/playlist?list=PLND1JCRq8Vuh3f0P5qjrSdb5eC1ZfZwWJ
After Socrates Series: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLND1JCRq8Vuj6q5NP_fXjBzUT1p_qYSCC
On Bullshit - Harry G. Frankfurt: amazon.com/Bullshit-Harry-G-Frankfurt/dp/0691122946
The World As God's Icon: Creator and Creation in the Platonic Thought of Thomas Aquinas - Sebastian Morello: amazon.com/World-As-Gods-Icon-Creation/dp/1621386384/ref=sr_1_1?crid=189BWSK1P32FF&keywords=Sebastian+Morello+The+World+is+the+Icon+of+God&qid=1700606922&sprefix=sebastian+morello+the+world+is+the+icon+of+god%2Caps%2C99&sr=8-1
Summa Contra Gentiles: Book One,God - Thomas Aquinas: amazon.com/-/es/Thomas-Aquinas/dp/026801678X
What Is Ancient Philosophy? - Pierre Hadot, Michael Chase: amazon.com/What-Ancient-Philosophy-Pierre-Hadot/dp/0674013735
The Courage to Be - Paul Tillich: amazon.com/Courage-Be-Third-Terry-Lectures/dp/030018879X/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2UO7JQYQOFQHG&keywords=tillich&qid=1691351905&s=books&sprefix=tillich%2Cstripbooks%2C356&sr=1-3
Beowulf: A New Verse Translation - Seamus Heaney: amazon.com/Beowulf-Verse-Translation-Seamus-Heaney/dp/0374111197
The Divine Comedy (The Inferno, The Purgatorio, and The Paradiso) - Dante Alighieri: amazon.com/Divine-Comedy-Inferno-Purgatorio-Paradiso/dp/0451208633
Faust: Parts I & II - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: amazon.com/Faust-Johann-Wolfgang-von-Goethe/dp/1507547269/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1V6J23XT9VU2A&keywords=Gertz%27s+Faust&qid=1700607818&s=books&sprefix=gertz%27s+faust%2Cstripbooks%2C96&sr=1-1
Great Expectations - Charles Dickens: amazon.com/Expectations-Wordsworth-Classics-Charles-Dickens/dp/1853260045/ref=sr_1_1?crid=EWA07VYKWM4R&keywords=great+expectations+book&qid=1700607869&s=books&sprefix=great+expect%2Cstripbooks%2C125&sr=1-1
Phaedo by Plato: https://classics.mit.edu/Plato/phaedo.html
Apology by Plato: https://classics.mit.edu/Plato/apology.html
Crito by Plato: https://classics.mit.edu/Plato/crito.html
Aquinas 101: aquinas101.thomisticinstitute.org
Timecodes:
[00:00:00] Introduction by John Vervaeke
[00:01:20] Patrick Deneen's gratitude for 'Awakening from the Meaning Crisis'
[00:03:00] Overview of Chesterton Academy's philosophy
[00:05:20] Use of 'Awakening from the Meaning Crisis' in classes
[00:07:20] Deneen's academic and personal background
[00:11:20] Teaching Socratic philosophy in a Catholic context
[00:17:20] Integration of Greek philosophy and Catholic theology
[00:21:40] Relationship between Platonic wisdom and Catholic faith
[00:28:00] Culture as the hidden curriculum
[00:32:00] Student enthusiasm for various subjects
[00:34:20] Inclusion of Eastern philosophical traditions
[00:41:00] Indian philosophy leading Deneen back to Catholic faith
[00:46:43] Importance of art in the curriculum
[00:51:00] Addressing the meaning crisis with Christian life
[00:58:40] Discussion about the rediscovery of Aristotle through Muslim philosophers
[01:03:32] The episode concludes with Patrick Deneen emphasizing Chesterton Academy's focus on nurturing a natural inclination towards truth and goodness in students and faculty
In this enlightening episode, Patrick Deneen joins John Vervaeke to discuss the innovative approach to teaching philosophy at Chesterton Academy. Deneen delves into the integration of Vervaeke's influential work, particularly "Awakening from the Meaning Crisis," to make philosophical concepts relatable and impactful for students. A significant part of their conversation revolves around students' evolving engagement with philosophy, notably their initial skepticism and eventual appreciation of Socratic and classical teachings. The episode also explores the integration of the school's Catholic ethos with its academic pursuits, underscoring the importance of fostering moral and intellectual virtues. Throughout the discussion, both Deneen and Vervaeke share personal reflections, shedding light on the profound impact of philosophy and wisdom in shaping human experiences and education.
Resources and References
Patrick Deneen
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/patrick-deneen-780174130
Chesterton Academy of the Sacred Heart: chestertonacademyofthesacredheart.org
John Vervaeke
Website: johnvervaeke.com
Patreon: patreon.com/johnvervaeke
Facebook: facebook.com/VervaekeJohn
X: twitter.com/vervaeke_john
YouTube: youtube.com/@johnvervaeke
The Vervaeke Foundation: vervaekefoundation.org
Awakening from the Meaning Crisis Series :youtube.com/playlist?list=PLND1JCRq8Vuh3f0P5qjrSdb5eC1ZfZwWJ
After Socrates Series: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLND1JCRq8Vuj6q5NP_fXjBzUT1p_qYSCC
On Bullshit - Harry G. Frankfurt: amazon.com/Bullshit-Harry-G-Frankfurt/dp/0691122946
The World As God's Icon: Creator and Creation in the Platonic Thought of Thomas Aquinas - Sebastian Morello: amazon.com/World-As-Gods-Icon-Creation/dp/1621386384/ref=sr_1_1?crid=189BWSK1P32FF&keywords=Sebastian+Morello+The+World+is+the+Icon+of+God&qid=1700606922&sprefix=sebastian+morello+the+world+is+the+icon+of+god%2Caps%2C99&sr=8-1
Summa Contra Gentiles: Book One,God - Thomas Aquinas: amazon.com/-/es/Thomas-Aquinas/dp/026801678X
What Is Ancient Philosophy? - Pierre Hadot, Michael Chase: amazon.com/What-Ancient-Philosophy-Pierre-Hadot/dp/0674013735
The Courage to Be - Paul Tillich: amazon.com/Courage-Be-Third-Terry-Lectures/dp/030018879X/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2UO7JQYQOFQHG&keywords=tillich&qid=1691351905&s=books&sprefix=tillich%2Cstripbooks%2C356&sr=1-3
Beowulf: A New Verse Translation - Seamus Heaney: amazon.com/Beowulf-Verse-Translation-Seamus-Heaney/dp/0374111197
The Divine Comedy (The Inferno, The Purgatorio, and The Paradiso) - Dante Alighieri: amazon.com/Divine-Comedy-Inferno-Purgatorio-Paradiso/dp/0451208633
Faust: Parts I & II - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: amazon.com/Faust-Johann-Wolfgang-von-Goethe/dp/1507547269/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1V6J23XT9VU2A&keywords=Gertz%27s+Faust&qid=1700607818&s=books&sprefix=gertz%27s+faust%2Cstripbooks%2C96&sr=1-1
Great Expectations - Charles Dickens: amazon.com/Expectations-Wordsworth-Classics-Charles-Dickens/dp/1853260045/ref=sr_1_1?crid=EWA07VYKWM4R&keywords=great+expectations+book&qid=1700607869&s=books&sprefix=great+expect%2Cstripbooks%2C125&sr=1-1
Phaedo by Plato: https://classics.mit.edu/Plato/phaedo.html
Apology by Plato: https://classics.mit.edu/Plato/apology.html
Crito by Plato: https://classics.mit.edu/Plato/crito.html
Aquinas 101: aquinas101.thomisticinstitute.org
Timecodes:
[00:00:00] Introduction by John Vervaeke
[00:01:20] Patrick Deneen's gratitude for 'Awakening from the Meaning Crisis'
[00:03:00] Overview of Chesterton Academy's philosophy
[00:05:20] Use of 'Awakening from the Meaning Crisis' in classes
[00:07:20] Deneen's academic and personal background
[00:11:20] Teaching Socratic philosophy in a Catholic context
[00:17:20] Integration of Greek philosophy and Catholic theology
[00:21:40] Relationship between Platonic wisdom and Catholic faith
[00:28:00] Culture as the hidden curriculum
[00:32:00] Student enthusiasm for various subjects
[00:34:20] Inclusion of Eastern philosophical traditions
[00:41:00] Indian philosophy leading Deneen back to Catholic faith
[00:46:43] Importance of art in the curriculum
[00:51:00] Addressing the meaning crisis with Christian life
[00:58:40] Discussion about the rediscovery of Aristotle through Muslim philosophers
[01:03:32] The episode concludes with Patrick Deneen emphasizing Chesterton Academy's focus on nurturing a natural inclination towards truth and goodness in students and faculty
