Some thinkers of great historical importance simply vanish from general cultural awareness. The goal of this series was to reacquaint people of a few of these thinkers. Further, by explaining their contributions and why they seem to have fallen into obscurity gain insight into the vagaries of historical memory.

Click on an image below to hear the lecture and download the lecture handout. Additional course material for each lecture will be available for each lecture over the next year or so.

 

 

Cicero

A review of the life and influence of Roman philosopher Cicero. This lecture focuses on the impact and fading attention paid to one of the most influential thinkers in Western civilization. The first part of an eight part series presented by Wesley Cecil PhD. at Peninsula College.

Click here to download the lecture handout.

 

Mencius

A lecture delivered at Peninsula College by Wesley Cecil PhD discussing the life, work and influence of Mencius. The lecture explores the immense influence and recent return of Mencius' interpretation of the Confucius' legacy.

Click here to download the lecture handout.

 

Max Stirner

Lecture by Wesley Cecil PhD. on the life and work of Max Stirner. Delivered at Peninsula College.

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Jacques Barzun

Lecture delivered at Peninsula College exploring the life and thought of the prolific critic and historian Jacques Barzun. 

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Walter Kaufmann

The Life and Work of Walter Kaufmann are explored in this lecture by Wesley Cecil PhD. Delivered at Peninsula College. 

Walter Kaufmann was a translator, scholar and philosopher who made major contributions to our understanding of Nietzsche, Hegel, Kant and Goethe. He also promoted a deeply humane and passionate sense of the human condition.

Click here to download the lecture handout.

 

Al-ghazali & Averroes

A lecture delivered by Wesley Cecil PhD. at Peninsula College. Explores the Islamic Golden Age, Translation Movement, and the work of Al-Ghazali and Averroes. 

I apologize if my speech is in-distinct at times, I was quite sick when delivering this lecture - perhaps should be titled "The Incoherence of Me." Also note, Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani's website is still active.

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Emilie Du Chatelet

A lecture exploring the life and thought of the 18th century thinker Emilie du Chatelet. Delivered at Peninsula College by Wesley Cecil PhD.   I apologize for the microphone noise, I had some technical difficulties while recording.

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Goethe

Wes Cecil presents a lecture on the life, thought and influence of Goethe. Presented at Peninsula College.

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Aristophanes

The final lecture in the Forgotten Thinkers series presents the life and thought of Aristophanes. While we remember him rightly as one of the great comedic playwrights, we too often overlook the clarity of his analysis of the challenges of his world. Delivered by Wesley Cecil PhD. at Peninsula College.

Click here to download the lecture handout.