Philosophy Versus the Liberal Arts | Episode LXXXIX

The wise man, like Abraham, does not spurn Hagar. For she is merely preparatory to Sarah. This is the analogy that the great Jewish Platonist, Philo of Alexandria, makes when discussing an education in the liberal arts versus the life of philosophy. While the liberal arts have the dignity only of the concubine, Philo says, education in the liberal arts is nevertheless a necessary step before one can ascend the ladder to Sarah, i.e. philosophic contemplation. Jonathan and Ryan discuss selections from Philo's writings on education and philosophy.

Richard M. Gamble's The Great Tradition: https://amzn.to/3Q4lRnO

ACCS Repairing the Ruins Conference 2025: https://classicalchristian.org/repairing-the-ruins/

New Humanists episode on Justin Martyr: https://newhumanists.buzzsprout.com/1791279/episodes/10722142-justin-martyr-s-first-apology-feat-calvin-goligher-episode-xxiv

New Humanists episode on Clement of Alexandria: https://newhumanists.buzzsprout.com/1791279/episodes/17146921-christian-gnosticism-episode-lxxxviii

Cicero's Pro Archia Poeta: https://amzn.to/4dyxeAS

AGOGE Symposium: https://www.agogeclassical.org/notes/education-always-political-symposium

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Music: Save Us Now by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com