

#891
Mentioned in 25 episodes
The Plague
Book • 1947
The Plague, written by Albert Camus, is a philosophical novel that chronicles an outbreak of the bubonic plague in the coastal city of Oran, Algeria.
The story is often interpreted as an allegory for the occupation of France during World War II and the rise of fascism.
The novel follows Dr. Bernard Rieux and his colleagues as they battle the plague, highlighting themes of everyday heroism, the absurdity of human suffering, and the collective response to disaster.
As the city is placed under quarantine, the citizens face isolation, despair, and eventually, a sense of social responsibility and solidarity.
The novel explores existential and theological questions, particularly through the characters of Dr. Rieux and Father Paneloux, and concludes with a reflection on the enduring nature of human suffering and the importance of human solidarity in the face of adversity.
The story is often interpreted as an allegory for the occupation of France during World War II and the rise of fascism.
The novel follows Dr. Bernard Rieux and his colleagues as they battle the plague, highlighting themes of everyday heroism, the absurdity of human suffering, and the collective response to disaster.
As the city is placed under quarantine, the citizens face isolation, despair, and eventually, a sense of social responsibility and solidarity.
The novel explores existential and theological questions, particularly through the characters of Dr. Rieux and Father Paneloux, and concludes with a reflection on the enduring nature of human suffering and the importance of human solidarity in the face of adversity.
Mentioned by






















Mentioned in 25 episodes
Mentioned by 

as a philosophical companion for this episode.


Stephen West

369 snips
Episode #225 ... Albert Camus - The Plague
Mentioned by 

while discussing Camus's concept of solidarity and its connection to justice.


Stephen West

318 snips
Episode #226 - Albert Camus - The Rebel
Mentioned by 

in relation to solidarity and the human condition.


Stephen West

191 snips
Episode #228 ... Albert Camus - Kafka and The Fall
Mentioned by Gad Saad in the context of discussing the impact of plagues on history.

181 snips
#2148 - Gad Saad
Mentioned by 

as his hero and someone whose work he admires.


Michael Malice

166 snips
#402 – Michael Malice: Thanksgiving Pirate Special
Given to Robert Kennedy Jr. by his father, Robert F. Kennedy, shortly before his death; the book's themes of duty and service resonated with Kennedy Jr. during a time of personal reflection.

92 snips
#1999 - Robert Kennedy, Jr.
Mentioned by 

as a novel that is very much about knowing and deciding what to do regardless of the consequences.


Mara van der Lugt

82 snips
Hopeful pessimism
Mentioned by 

and 

in the context of absurdism and philosophy.


Lex Fridman


Michael Malice

76 snips
#253 – Michael Malice: New Year’s Special
Mentioned by 

in relation to a discussion about pandemics and human nature.


Lex Fridman

62 snips
#216 – Vincent Racaniello: Viruses and Vaccines
Mentioned by 

as a book about a doctor in a quarantined city dealing with a plague.


Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

48 snips
431: You'll Get The Political Leadership You Deserve. With Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

while discussing existential literature and his reading during isolation.

Barry Barish

33 snips
#213 – Barry Barish: Gravitational Waves and the Most Precise Device Ever Built
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as a book that explores themes of mortality and human resilience.

Sheldon Solomon

29 snips
#117 – Sheldon Solomon: Death and Meaning
Scheduled to be discussed in the next episode as a possible example of a modern existential tragedy.

19 snips
Ep. 243: Aristotle's "Poetics" on Art and Tragedy (Part Two)
Mentioned by 

as a beautiful book about what it means to live in a collapsing society and its impact on mental health.


Gary Stevenson

14 snips
Is the economy destroying our mental health?
Mentioned by 

as a book experiencing a surge in popularity during the pandemic.


Massimo Pigliucci

#170 - Massimo Piggliuci - 5 Exercises From Stoicism To Improve Your Life
Mentioned by 

as a fictional work offering insights comparable to contemporary news reports.


Ryan Holiday

Pain Is A Part Of Life | Become An Expert In What Matters
Mentioned by Jay Winters as an example of affirming life rather than death, with the doctor representing a post-heroic narrative.

Heroism: 3. The Death of the Hero
Mentioned by 

as one of the books that impacted him.


Gerry McGovern

SUX EP 18 - "World Wide Waste" with Gerry McGovern
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

when discussing examples of compelling first sentences in novels.

Mignon Fogarty

Good first sentences. The language of 'Gladiator II.' Bear barber.
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

in the context of Clive Hamilton's interpretation of it as 'active fatalism'.

Jean Boulton

#60: The Dao of Complexity with theoretical physicist Jean Boulton