#727

Mentioned in 28 episodes

The Idiot

Book •

Fyodor Dostoevsky

Written by Fyodor Dostoyevsky between 1867 and 1869, 'The Idiot' follows the story of Prince Lev Nikolayevich Myshkin, a young man with a pure and innocent heart, often mistaken for an 'idiot' due to his simplicity and goodness.

The novel examines how this 'positively beautiful man' navigates a world filled with corruption, moral decay, and complex human relationships.

Myshkin's interactions with characters like Nastasya Filippovna and Aglaia Epanchina highlight themes of love, suffering, sacrifice, and the clash between idealistic values and the harsh realities of society.

The novel ultimately leads to Myshkin's mental breakdown and his inability to cope with the world around him.

Mentioned by

Steven Bartlett

Sebastian Junger

Henrik Karlsson

Antonia Ferrier

Mentioned in 28 episodes

Mentioned by

Steven Bartlett

when discussing the character of the idiot in Dostoevsky's novel.

Jordan B Peterson: You Need To Listen To Your Wife! We've Built A Lonely & Sexless Society! If You & Your Partner Do This, You'll Divorce!

Mentioned by

Lex Fridman

while discussing a quote from Dostoevsky's book.

#313 – Jordan Peterson: Life, Death, Power, Fame, and Meaning

Mentioned by

Lex Fridman

when discussing the character Prince Mishkin, highlighting his naivete.

#368 – Eliezer Yudkowsky: Dangers of AI and the End of Human Civilization

Mentioned by

Lex Fridman

as one of his favorite books.

#394 – Neri Oxman: Biology, Art, and Science of Design & Engineering with Nature

Mentioned by

Lex Fridman

as characters from his novels that embody optimism.

#274 – Karl Deisseroth: Depression, Schizophrenia, and Psychiatry

Mentioned by

Stephen West

as examples of books that confront nihilism.

Episode #218 ... Dostoevsky - Notes From Underground

Mentioned by

Stephen West

while discussing the author's life experiences and their influence on his work.

Episode #221 ... Dostoevsky - The Idiot

Mentioned by Jordan Peterson in a comparison with "The Brothers Karamazov", highlighting the character Prince Mishkin as a Christ analog.

321. A Conversation So Intense It Might Transcend Time and Space | John Vervaeke

Mentioned by

Henrik Karlsson

as one of his role models.

19: Henrik Karlsson - Cultivating a Life that Fits

Mentioned by Jordan Peterson when comparing Dostoevsky and Nietzsche's works.

509. Retelling the Greatest Story Ever Told | Dallas Jenkins

Mentioned by

Lex Fridman

and

Sean Kelly

as a key figure in existentialism, particularly his novel "The Idiot".

#227 – Sean Kelly: Existentialism, Nihilism, and the Search for Meaning

Mentioned by

Lex Fridman

in the context of dystopian novels.

#253 – Michael Malice: New Year’s Special

Mentioned by

Lex Fridman

when comparing himself to the main character of the book.

#82 – Simon Sinek: Leadership, Hard Work, Optimism and the Infinite Game

Mentioned by

Lex Fridman

as books he is currently reading.

Lex Fridman & Jonathan Haidt: The Techno Monk & The Social Scientist

Mentioned by

Dana Gioia

as a book his family read together.

Dana Gioia on Becoming an Information Billionaire

Mentioned as another noted work by the author, alongside Crime and Punishment.

Crime and Punishment - Book Summary

Recommended by

Antonia Ferrier

as a tried and true classic that has stood the test of time.

Breaking up is hard to do

Mentioned by

Lex Fridman

as a book he recently reread, relating the character of Prince Mishkin to his own tendency to see the good in people.

#200 – Michael Malice: Totalitarianism and Anarchy

Mentioned by

Sebastian Junger

as a source of enlightenment after facing death.

What "near death" feels like

Mentioned by

Niall Ferguson

in the context of Russian literature and comparing it to the current political situation.

Russia's War on Ukraine: A Roundtable

The AI-powered Podcast Player

Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!

App store banner

Play store banner