Progress and Religion, by Christopher H. Dawson | Presentation by José Maria J. Yulo, Part 1/2

Video Description

July 28, 2021 In this first of two videos, Dr. José M.J. Yulo utilizes a fascinating presentation of major works of art to discuss the landmark book, "Progress and Religion: An Historical Inquiry," by the brilliant, Christian, 20th Century, historian Christopher H. Dawson. FEATURED ARTWORKS: 1. "First Steps, after Millet," Vincent Van Gogh (1890), Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York 2. "A Dinner Table at Night," John Singer Sargent (1884), M.H. de Young Memorial Museum, San Francisco 3. "Sanssouci Palace," Potsdam 4. "Berlin Wall Memorial" 5. "Olympus," Luigi Sabatelli (1819-20), Palazzo Pitti, Florence 6. "Trinita," Ludovico Cardi (“Cigoli”) (1592), Opera di Santa Croce, Florence WATCH PART TWO: https://youtu.be/4udnAXNiCdI "Progress and Religion" was perhaps the most influential of all of the books by Christopher Dawson, establishing him as an epic interpreter of history, historian of ideas, and critic of materialist philosophy and secular culture. The book has been described as a brilliant work of synthesis, for in this single volume he outlined his main thesis for the history of culture, which was his life’s work. Anthropology, sociology, philosophy, religion, and history formed the backdrop for the key idea of his thought—namely, that religion is the soul of a culture and that a society or culture which has lost its spiritual roots is a dying culture. To Dawson, a return to the Christian culture that had formed Western civilization was the only remedy for a world dangerously adrift. Dawson was writing in a period between the two great wars of the twentieth century, a time when some thought that the idea of progress had finally been discredited by the carnage and barbarism of the First World War. "Progress and Religion" was clearly intended to challenge the doctrine of progress, the rather naïve but persistent belief that in every day and “in every way the world grows better and better.” Dawson argues that Western civilization was at a turning point and confronted with two real choices: reappropriate a vital Christian culture or move increasingly toward more dangerus and alienated expressions of consumerism and totalitarianism. In "Progress and Religion," he contends that no culture could truly thrive if cut off from its religious roots. BUY THE BOOK: "Progress and Religion: An Historical Inquiry," by Christopher H. Dawson, foreword by Christina Scott, introduction by Mary Douglas https://amzn.to/3fYlHhK ABOUT THE PRESENTER: José M.J. Yulo is a Research Fellow at the Independent Institute in Oakland, Calif., and a Member of the Board of Directors of the C.S. Lewis Society of California, and he teaches philosophy and western civilization at the Academy of Art University. Dr. Yulo received his Bachelor’s degree in the classical liberal arts from St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland, Master’s degree in political communication from Emerson College in Boston, and his Ed.D. in the philosophy of education from the University of San Francisco. ABOUT THE BOOK AUTHOR: Born in 1889 and educated at Winchester College and at Trinity College, Oxford, Christopher H. Dawson began his academic career studying modern history. Becoming a Roman Catholic shortly after his time at Oxford, Dawson focused on issues of European culture and religion. Lecturer in the History of Culture, University College, Exeter; Gifford Lecturer; Fellow of the British Academy; and first recipient of the Chauncey Stillman Chair of Roman Catholic Studies at Harvard University, Dawson was also editor of the "Dublin Review." His first book, "The Age of the Gods," came after a period of thorough research, but it was his second work, "Progress and Religion," which first demonstrated the depth and range of his thought and drew attention to his vehement critique of materialism. Dawson’s central concern was the centrality and dynamism of religion for all cultures, but particularly for European culture. During the 1930s he edited the book series, “Essays in Order,” and authored the book "The Making of Europe,", in which he argued that the so-called Dark Ages were in fact the most creative period in the culture of the Western world. His other books then include "Christianity and the New Age," "Medieval Religion and Other Essays," "Religion and the Modern State," and Beyond Politics." Later, Dawson’s focus broadened to the relationship of Christianity to other world religions, most notably in "Mission to Asia," "The Dividing of Christendom" and "The Formation of Christendom." BECOME A MEMBER of the C. S. Lewis Society of California with a tax-deductible contribution and receive a FREE gift: https://www.lewissociety.org/membership/ C. S. LEWIS SOCIETY OF CALIFORNIA Online: FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/lewissociety/ YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/user/lewissociety WEBSITE: https://www.lewissociety.org/