Owl & Ibis - A Confluence Of Minds

Kudos to Mona Leiter on her November 12, 2019 Owl & Ibis - A Confluence of Minds presentation, "Taking the Hero's Journey." Mona's take on myths and myth-making based on Joseph Campbell's work, as templates for molding persons and as entertainment, was truly exceptional. For those who missed it please find a PDF copy of her slideshow here , and a PDF resource file of the videos she showed at the meeting and other references here . Again, great job! }:> ~:)

retreat : a period of time when somebody stops their usual activities and goes to a quiet place for meditation and thought. Friends, Beginning December 1, 2019, Owl & Ibis - A Confluence of Mind will stop holding in-person meetings.  I need a break along the lines of the definition of a ‘retreat’ given above. I have been allowed my full say at O&I, at other local freethinker meetings, and on my websites on a wide range of matters. I have also learned a lot from each of you. For all this I am grateful.  The matters on which I’ve expressed my views include many of what I think are the most important issues in anthropology, the other social sciences, the natural sciences, the humanities, religion, and in current US and world affairs. Regrettably, many of these issues give me grave concern about the future of Humankind and Earth.  It is time for me to critically examine my views on these matters and others, and change my thinking and behavior as needed

“Hope as a Natural Virtue” Peter J. Leithart First Things November 22, 2019 “Dante’s  Commedia  draws on the tradition of the seven virtues, four ‘natural’ (justice, prudence, temperance, fortitude) and three ‘theological’ (faith, hope, and love). ... Exceptional pagans can achieve natural virtue, but, with very few exceptions, the habits of faith, hope, and love are beyond their capacity.” Above is a link to a short essay you might find as interesting as I do. It addresses an existential dilemma others with far greater minds than mine were in, yet found a way out. See for example, Kierkegaard and C.S. Lewis. I am currently in a similar if not the same dilemma. The four ‘natural virtues’ given in this essay are also those of  Stoicism  - courage, justice, temperance, and wisdom. I certainly cannot claim mastery of any or all of them. Besides, to do so would make me a saint and a sage. Either is a very rare achievement. I do not sniff at or take  sag