Clues from Philosophy

“Why can’t we learn wisdom and virtue without suffering?” This question, posed by Peter Kreeft, gives little comfort to our pain.

The mystery of human suffering has thrust us into an investigation. Along with Job and author, philosopher Peter Kreeft we are exploring the clues that might lead us to a satisfactory answer to our burning dilemma.

In this discussion we discover seven clues from the philosophers, ancient and modern. Join the conversation as we look to the wisest men of the last three millennia. Here are the clues we looked at:

Socrates - There are two people in the world: the wise, who know they are fools, and fools, who think they are wise (Intellectual Humility).
Plato - No evil can happen to a good man.
Aristotle - Happiness is not a warm puppy; happiness is goodness.
Boethius - All fortune is good fortune.
Freud - We need reality and truth over pleasure.
Marcel - Hope (Death is not the final word).
Lewis (C.S. not Jerry) - The principle of first and second things.

From a position of “Intellectual Humility” we stand on the shoulders of greats who have suffered before us.

- Have you ever felt like asking, “Why pray? It doesn’t seem to do any good.” Explain.
- Which of the clues today made the most sense to you? Explain.
- How would you apply the principle of first and second things?

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