Graham McAleer – Tolkien, Philosopher of War

2024-11-24

Did Tolkien’s philosophy of war arise from his appreciation of beauty? Brent talks with Graham McAleer about his new book from the Catholic University Press of America called ‘Tolkien, Philosopher of War’. Graham has a doctorate from Louvain, Belgium, where he wrote on medieval philosophy and theology. Graham is the author of books on ethics and moral theology. He’s a member of the Judicial Ethics Committee of the State of Maryland and a regular contributor to the national online magazine Law and Liberty, where he writes on culture and politics. He’s a pro...

Did Tolkien’s philosophy of war arise from his appreciation of beauty?

Brent talks with Graham McAleer about his new book from the Catholic University Press of America called ‘Tolkien, Philosopher of War’.

Graham has a doctorate from Louvain, Belgium, where he wrote on medieval philosophy and theology. Graham is the author of books on ethics and moral theology. He’s a member of the Judicial Ethics Committee of the State of Maryland and a regular contributor to the national online magazine Law and Liberty, where he writes on culture and politics. He’s a professor of philosophy at Loyola University in Baltimore. He’s taught there for over 30 years and was awarded Teacher of the Year in 2014.

(1:10) Tolkien’s philosophy of history;
(3:50) Tolkien’s view of war and civilization – a matter of aesthetics?
(5:40) Tolkien and vanity;
(10:00) The Enlightenment and Tolkien;
(15:10) Tolkien and liberalism;
(19:50) Apocalyptic politics;
(23:30) The West and Gnosticism;
(30:00) War and vanity;
(35:55) Tolkien, war and the Enlightenment;
(37:20) War and theology in Tolkien;
(45:20) Just war theory in ‘The Lord of the Rings’;
(47:30) The Shire borders;
(55:00) Forgiveness in Tolkien;
(57:20) Why beauty is insufficient in maintaining peace.

Links mentioned in this episode:

www.amazon.com/Tolkien-Philosopher-War-Graham-McAleer/dp/0813238668

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