Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

In an age when knowledge was no longer defined solely by the authority of the past, Gotthold Ephraim Lessing stood at a quiet turning point. As science learned how to discover truth through inquiry, Lessing sensed a parallel shift in the moral and spiritual life of humanity---one where faith itself might carry responsibility for recognizing the truths needed to shape the future.
Season 1
Episode 77
Religion
Philosopher

Wisdom in a Violent World

In this episode of The Golden Thread, Harmonia remembers Hypatia of Alexandria-philosopher, mathematician, and teacher-whose life became a symbol of dignity, inquiry, and calm in an era unraveling into violence. As religious and political powers clashed in 5th-century Alexandria, Hypatia held fast to understanding. Her tragic death marked more than the end of a person-it marked a turning point in how the world viewed knowledge itself. Harmonia invites us to reflect on what Hypatia's courage means today, when truth again feels fragile.
Season 1
Episode 8
Religion
Philosopher
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