This is just personal notes - class notes.

The episode is a preface and commentary to “How to Win an Argument Without Having to Be Right,” a work by Arthur Schopenhauer that deals with eristic dialectics, that is, the art of winning debates by illicit means. The author, Olavo de Carvalho, explains the context of Schopenhauer’s work and relates it to the thinking of other authors such as Kant and Aristotle, showing how eristic dialectics fits into a broader panorama of the history of philosophy. In his analysis, Carvalho criticizes dialectics as a method for arriving at the truth and proposes a vision closer to intuition and inner experience. The text also addresses the issue of the “art of always being right” in debates and criticizes the use of eristic stratagems for political and ideological purposes, especially in the Brazilian context. Throughout his commentary, Carvalho uses contemporary examples to illustrate the application of Schopenhauer’s 38 stratagems, showing how these devices are still used today.

"Preparing for Marriage: Help for Christian Couples" is a book by John Piper, published by Desiring God, which aims to help Christian couples in their preparations for marriage. The book is divided into six chapters that cover topics such as: the engagement period, wedding planning, the complementary dynamics between husband and wife, sexual relations in marriage, the importance of protecting marriage in a world that attacks it, and the ultimate goal of marriage: to be lived for the glory of God.

Each chapter is developed based on biblical passages and theological reflections, with the aim of offering a Christian perspective on married life. The work emphasizes the need to prioritize faith in God in all spheres of life, including marriage, and highlights the importance of building a solid relationship, based on biblical principles of love, respect, leadership, and submission.

In addition to the main chapters, the book includes two appendices. The first provides an extensive list of questions for couples to discuss important issues regarding faith, values, lifestyle, relationships with friends, family, children, and finances. The second appendix addresses the topic of hospitality, addressing the importance of welcoming others, especially brothers and sisters in Christ, as a way of demonstrating God’s love and being a witness to the world.

In short, the book is a practical and theological guide for Christian couples seeking to build a solid and lasting marriage, founded on biblical principles and oriented to the glory of God.