In this thought-provoking lecture, Dr. Scott Roninger explores the profound connections between literature, philosophy, and our understanding of human nature, focusing especially on Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov and Plato’s philosophical dialogues. Through Mark Twain’s reflections on mastering the Mississippi River, Roninger introduces the distinction between viewing life practically versus contemplatively, emphasizing the importance of awe and beauty. He then delves into Dostoevsky's characters, aligning them with Plato’s three parts of the human soul—appetite, spirit (thumos), and intellect (nous)—highlighting the Christian dimension of these philosophical concepts. Roninger argues that true human flourishing and societal health stem from properly orienting our deepest desires toward truth, virtue, and ultimately God.