Embracing Wonder and Paradox: Dr. Dale Ahlquist Inspires at Formal Hall

Last Thursday, October 31, Campion College hosted Formal Hall, welcoming Dr. Dale Ahlquist, president of the American Chesterton Society, as the evening’s guest speaker. Dr. Ahlquist captivated the audience with his insights into G.K. Chesterton’s philosophy, his thoughts on the essence of education, and his championing of classical thought, encouraging students to deepen their intellectual pursuit through wonder and paradox.

At the heart of Dr. Ahlquist’s talk was the idea of education as the transmission of truth from one generation to the next, drawing on the works of Plato, Homer, and Dante as essential components of a complete education. “When we study history, or literature, or philosophy, we’re studying the truth that has been handed down to us so that we can hand it on to those who come after us,” he explained. Dr. Ahlquist urged students to view their studies as a journey through the wisdom of the ages, encountering timeless truths through great literary and philosophical works.

He also advised students on how to approach Chesterton’s extensive body of work, recommending that they begin with some of his shorter essays, which are “1500-word wonders of looking at some problem, solving some riddle, and getting you to a very unexpected conclusion.”

To experience Dr. Ahlquist’s full address, we invite you to watch the video recording of the talk. Photos from the night can also be found below.