Christendom College President George A. Harne, Ph.D., has released a new episode of the Christendom Conversations podcast featuring a thoughtful discussion with professor and mathematics expert Dr. Douglas Dailey. Together, they explore the connection between mathematics and human flourishing, reflecting on the beauty, order, and wonder found in numbers and their role in understanding reality and fostering intellectual growth.
“I don’t think a mathematician would become a mathematician just because they like endlessly crunching numbers,” says Dailey during the discussion. “We do it because we see a real beauty that’s present within this, and it’s a beauty that requires patience in working through.”
During the conversation, Dailey also shares his own personal journey from farm life to academia, and delves into the philosophical underpinnings of mathematics, from Plato and Augustine to its role in liberal education.
Dailey is an associate professor at Christendom College, where he has served since 2017. He obtained his doctorate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2016, and he holds an undergraduate degree from the University of South Dakota. He teaches courses in calculus, linear algebra, number theory, and abstract algebra.
This marks the fifteenth episode of Christendom Conversations, following March’s episode with Dr. Steven Baldner, in which Harne and Baldner examined the enduring relevance of philosophical questions for today’s students and the role of educators in guiding them toward truth.
Christendom Conversations is part of Christendom College’s expanding podcast network, which offers listeners and viewers rich engagement with the Catholic intellectual tradition. Through in-depth interviews with Catholic scholars and cultural leaders, the podcast explores timeless questions and enduring truths. New episodes are released monthly.
Watch the latest episode below:
