Deep Down Things S02 E04 - Souls Or Selves?
Sep 7, 2021
In a compelling discussion, James Matthew Wilson, an award-winning poet and critic, explores the intersection of poetry and the soul in today's self-centered world. He emphasizes the transformative power of art and the need for epic narratives to navigate contemporary alienation. Wilson critiques Kant's fragmented knowledge, suggesting it limits our understanding of beauty. He dives into the profound differences between 'soul' and 'self', asserting that true justice stems from recognizing the inherent value of the soul, all while reflecting on identity politics and his own poetry.
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From Young Poet To MFA Founder
- Wilson recounts his path from aspiring writer to poet-philosopher blending meter with Thomistic thought.
- He describes founding an MFA at St. Thomas centered on reviving the Catholic literary tradition.
Use Narrative To Build Poetic Substance
- Encourage young poets to practice narrative and epic forms to gain content before inward lyric.
- Wilson emphasizes learning subjects beyond the self to avoid empty self-expression.
Intellect Mirrors The Cosmos
- Many thinkers agree the intellectual life means receiving the macrocosm's imprint within the soul.
- Wilson ties human fulfillment to ascending that order toward the cause of all being, God.
