Members-only podcast episode
Stephen Cooper on Marius Victorinus, Philosophy, Panpsychism, and a Modern Religious Platonism
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We keep the tape running and continue our discussion with Prof Cooper, asking him how Victorinus’ thought might provide useful tools for thinking toward a philosophically-satisfying Christianity today. Things get psychedelic, philosophic, and Platonistic.
Interview Bio:
Stephen A. Cooper is Professor of Religious Studies at Franklin and Marshall College. He has published very widely on Marius Victorinus, most of which can be found on his Academia page.
Works Cited in the Interview:
Frederick Douglass’ speech from 1854, “The Claims of the Negro Ethnologically Considered”, utilises Senecan/Stoic themes of universal humanity.
G.A. Piemonte. Vita in omnia pervenit: El vitalismo eriugeniano y la in fluencia de Mario Victorino. Buenos Aires, 1988.
Robert M. Sapolsky. Determined: A Science of Life without Free Will. Penguin, 2023.
Charles Taylor. Modern Social Imaginaries. Duke University Press, 2003.
William A Welton
November 16, 2023
Earle, Many, many times I’ve thought of how incredibly thankful I am for your work, how I discovered this podcast at exactly the right time in my life, how invaluable it has been to me, and yet I haven’t posted before to tell you so. But let me just say now that this particular episode moved me deeply; I found it truly magical, if melancholy. Usually, I am appreciating the scholarship, the historical rigor, and the nerdiness. But sometimes, as in the case, there is that added element of humanity. Anyway, I hope you will forgive the sentimentality of my comment, and accept my praise and gratitude.
Earl Fontainelle
November 16, 2023
Well, Sir, thank you very much indeed for the kind words. And we should both thank Prof Cooper for his humane approach to Marius Victorinus and to life.
Russellji
November 19, 2023
“Ditto”
William A Welton
November 16, 2023
Yes, thanks Prof. Cooper!
Fiona McRae
November 26, 2023
I’d like to echo the appreciation of the podcast; it’s a huge stimulation to my thinking, and to my magical practice. There was much to relate to in Professor Cooper’s journey through personal gnosis, contemplative spirituality and philosophy. Always a joy to hear someone ripping into the faith-based nature of scientism too. Keep up the good work, and stay esoteric!
Steve Dempsey
March 5, 2024
There was a good discussion about panpsychism on In Our Time recently: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001vl96. I find it difficult to give it much credence. It seems like saying, well we’ve lost the argument on God, let’s just hide it somewhere else where the physics aren’t well understood. I’m sure some position are more intellectually solid however.
I’m mostly into Object Oriented Philosophy, with its existential and Lovecraftian Cosmic Horror underpinnings (not the racism). In as much as it’ll do until we find out more.
Steve Dempsey
March 5, 2024
Also, I’m happy for everyone to have their “story” of what it all means, but I don’t think any of them, including mine, are neutral. They are all political statements which influence how we treat other people and the world in which we all live.
Albert Hand
July 22, 2024
Great conversation. Now I’m tearing my hair out wondering what Dr Cooper’s take on Marcion might be.