#2827
Mentioned in 14 episodes
The captive mind
Book • 1990
Written after his defection from Stalinist Poland in 1951, 'The Captive Mind' is a philosophical and political essay that explores the allure of Stalinism to intellectuals and the mechanisms of totalitarian control.
Miłosz uses metaphorical portraits of four Polish writers (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta) to illustrate the universal human phenomena and attitudes towards totalitarianism.
The book critiques the philosophical systems of Marxism and Hegelian historical determinism, highlighting the internal longing for harmony and happiness that can lead individuals to submit to such regimes.
It also discusses the personal and psychological costs of living under totalitarian rule, including the transformation of 'free minds' into instruments of the state.
Miłosz uses metaphorical portraits of four Polish writers (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta) to illustrate the universal human phenomena and attitudes towards totalitarianism.
The book critiques the philosophical systems of Marxism and Hegelian historical determinism, highlighting the internal longing for harmony and happiness that can lead individuals to submit to such regimes.
It also discusses the personal and psychological costs of living under totalitarian rule, including the transformation of 'free minds' into instruments of the state.
Mentioned by
Mentioned in 14 episodes
Mentioned by 
Rebecca Lemov as a source of inspiration for her research, highlighting its exploration of the deterioration of social life under totalitarianism.
Rebecca Lemov as a source of inspiration for her research, highlighting its exploration of the deterioration of social life under totalitarianism.
434 snips
#2322 - Rebecca Lemov
Mentioned by Niall Ferguson when discussing the fragility of civilization.
91 snips
#239 – Niall Ferguson: History of Money, Power, War, and Truth
Mentioned by 
Anne Applebaum when discussing the choices faced by US government officials in the context of Elon Musk's actions.
Anne Applebaum when discussing the choices faced by US government officials in the context of Elon Musk's actions.
41 snips
Anne Applebaum: Outside the Rule of Law
Mentioned by Robert Kaplan as a book he is currently rereading, highlighting its relevance to contemporary political discourse.
39 snips
The World in 2025 with Robert Kaplan: Finding A Way Through Permanent Crisis (Part Two)
Mentioned by Cynthia Haven as another subject of her writing, focusing on his time in California.
20 snips
Cynthia L. Haven on René Girard, Czeslaw Milosz, and Joseph Brodsky
Mentioned by Russell Moore in the context of the Russian regime's actions and the importance of acknowledging the truth.
15 snips
A Little Help From My Friends
Mentioned by Jordan Peterson when discussing why people fell for communism.
15 snips
268. Live Not By Lies | Rod Dreher
Mentioned by Chespao Miłosz in his first chapter, when discussing how the intellectual wants to feel like they are making a difference.
14 snips
Jacob Howland on the Crisis of Higher Education and the University of Austin
Mentioned by 
Tim Miller as a book offering a perspective on worst-case scenarios for America, drawing parallels to Cold War Poland.
Tim Miller as a book offering a perspective on worst-case scenarios for America, drawing parallels to Cold War Poland.
The Age of America is Over
Recommended by 
Andrew Marantz as a book that helped him structure his own work, drawing parallels to ideological capture.
Andrew Marantz as a book that helped him structure his own work, drawing parallels to ideological capture.
How social media makes us antisocial
Mentioned in relation to Hegelian sting, or to put it simply, veneration of historical necessity, has been well described mainly by Cezlat Mislos in The Captive Mind, which analyzes mechanisms of the communist servility of Polish intellectuals.
Pete Reads Ryszard Legutko's 'Demon in Democracy' - Complete
Mentioned by 
Eli Lake to provide another perspective on intellectual conformity under oppressive regimes.
Eli Lake to provide another perspective on intellectual conformity under oppressive regimes.
Kamala Harris and the Election of Laughter and Forgetting (From the Honestly Archives)
