We live in a point-and-click society where labor is seen as something to overcome. But what if we’ve got it wrong? Philosopher turned farmer Dr. Scott H. Moore contends that entertainment doesn’t have to be passive. In fact, activities like reading Dante, growing tomatoes or fixing our own plumbing can bring us a lot of joy and satisfaction—and maybe even transform the way we see the world.

Dr. Moore is an Associate Professor of Philosophy and Great Texts at Baylor University and the author of How to Burn a Goat: Farming with the Philosophers. Today, Dr. Moore joins Ross to discuss the connections among philosophy, the Classics, theology and farming, explaining how Wendell Berry inspired his decision to become a farmer, and exploring how great works like Dante’s Divine Comedy remain relevant in modern life.

Dr. Moore challenges us to rethink our notion of labor, describing the rewards of problem-solving with our hands and engaging in activities like gardening or woodworking—as opposed to just buying the things we want. Listen in for Dr. Moore’s insight on making leisure more intentional and learn how Christian thought and the Classics can help us cultivate a sense of gratitude and initiate meaningful conversations about what really matters.

Resources:

Dr. Moore at Baylor University

How to Burn a Goat: Farming with the Philosophers by Scott H. Moore

Books by Wendell Berry

The Divine Comedy Volume I: Inferno by Dante Alighieri, translated by Mark Musa

The Great Courses: Dante’s Divine Comedy

The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis

Nick Offerman

Good Clean Fun: Misadventures in Sawdust at Offerman Woodshop by Nick Offerman

The Unsettling of America by Wendell Berry, narrated by Nick Offerman

Joel Salatin on Reversing Climate Change EP072

Quill Robinson on Reversing Climate Change S2EP18

Leisure: The Basis of Culture by Josef Pieper

Books by Gregory A. Boyd

Books by David Bentley Hart

G.K. Chesterton

Sorry, ran out of space! Will update these notes with the full list when room is expanded.