Starting with the historical context of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, the conversation traces a pivotal shift—from myth and scattered ideas to a more intentional, structured pursuit of truth. Along the way, we wrestle with questions that still matter today:

•  Did Plato help lay the foundation for the way we understand truth itself? 
•  Why do many thinkers say everything after him is, in some way, responding to his ideas? 
•  What can we learn from the life—and death—of Socrates? 
•  And how do we discern what is true, especially when voices overlap and interpretations differ? 

But this isn’t just a conversation about ancient philosophy.

It’s about what happens when truth moves from theory into practice.

Because if truth is real—if it can be known, pursued, and lived—then it inevitably shapes the way we see the world, the way we make decisions, and the way we carry ourselves in everyday life.

From this Episode:

The Republic of Plato - https://bookshop.org/a/104046/9780465094080

The Last Days of Socrates by Plato - https://bookshop.org/a/104046/9780140455496

The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis - https://bookshop.org/a/104046/9780060652944

Reading for Next Time:

Treatises on Friendship and Old Age by Cicero - https://bookshop.org/a/104046/9781805478270

Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics - https://bookshop.org/a/104046/9780140449495

Follow us Elsewhere:

Colton on Substack: https://substack.com/@coltoncauthen

Article on Plato’s Republic: https://open.substack.com/pub/coltoncauthen/p/platos-republic-and-the-problem-with

In this episode we explore the wisdom of the ancient sages and evaluate how the sacred texts of the world’s major religions approach some of humanity’s biggest questions. Drawing from the writings of King Solomon, the teachings of the Buddha, and the philosophy found in the Bhagavad Gita, we compare Eastern and Western perspectives on truth, morality, suffering, and the purpose of human life.

Along the way we discuss:

• The wisdom tradition of Solomon in the Hebrew Bible
• The life and teachings of the Buddha
• The philosophical message of the Bhagavad Gita
• The role of karma and reincarnation in Eastern religions
• Why many Eastern traditions see liberation from the cycle of rebirth as the ultimate goal
• How ancient thinkers understood truth, morality, and the search for meaning

This conversation looks at how different traditions wrestle with the same fundamental questions: Why do we suffer? What is truth? And what does it mean to live a good life?

Further Resources:

A Very Short Introduction to Hinduism: https://bookshop.org/a/104046/9780198745549

A Very Short Introduction to Buddhism: https://bookshop.org/a/104046/9780199663835

Bhagavad Gita: https://bookshop.org/a/104046/9781586380199

CSB Study Bible (for Ecclesiastes): https://bookshop.org/a/104046/9781433648090

Ecclesiastes: https://youtu.be/lrsQ1tc-2wk?si=mtUmx55x8e_7FkLb

Who am I? Why am I here? How should I live?

On this channel, we explore the enduring works of the greatest minds in human history — Solomon, Homer, Plato, Augustine, Dante, Milton, Hegel, and others — not as distant monuments of the past, but as living voices speaking into the present.

Each episode engages the primary texts directly, drawing out insights that are intellectually rigorous and practically meaningful. Whether you are new to the classics or returning to them with experience, this is a place for thoughtful, accessible dialogue about the ideas that shape a life.