Why Theory

Ryan and Todd dissect Immanuel Kant's philosophy, exploring its influence on psychoanalytic thought and filmmakers like David Lynch. They discuss Kant's approach to metaphysical freedom, Lacan's Quilting Point concept, and the distinction between 'thinking' and 'cognizing'. The conversation touches on Kant's radical ideas, the challenges of interpreting his works, and the application of Kantian concepts in real-life scenarios.

The hosts explore the concept of symbolic castration in psychoanalysis, relating it to politics and culture. They discuss Lacan's perspective on castration, its implications for femininity and masculinity, and its prevalence in political figures. They also delve into the concept's connection to democracy, analyze its symbolism in films, and have a light-hearted discussion about favorite songs by Journey.

The hosts explore dialectical reversal and its relevance to daily life and knowledge. They discuss examples of how weaknesses can turn into strengths and successes into failures. The podcast also examines the influence of capitalism on subjectivity and explores the allure of film noir. The hosts discuss specific examples from the film 'When Harry Met Sally' and the video game 'Final Fantasy 7', focusing on manipulation and remakes. The podcast concludes with a discussion on the potential drawbacks and emancipatory qualities of dialectical reversal in relation to capitalism.

Ryan and Todd discuss the parallels between Wittgenstein's Philosophical Investigations and psychoanalysis, as well as its political significance. They also explore the importance of language games and the chess analogy, the invention of sound in film, the concept of symbolic exchange and the unconscious, the connection between Wittgenstein and Freud, the ending of a Charlie Chaplin film, and capitalism in 'The Kid'.

The hosts explore Wittgenstein's Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus and its intersection with psychoanalysis and dialectics. They discuss Wittgenstein's emphasis on what is not said and the limits of language. They also explore the idea of creating a sitcom based on Wittgenstein's life, discuss the implications of the film Joker on the audience, and delve into desire, subjectivity, and belonging in relation to the Tractatus. They also discuss perception of images, different perspectives, and touch on ethics, aesthetics, and a movie called 'Naked Spur'.

The hosts delve into popular 1980s Christmas films like Christmas Story, Trading Places, Scrooged, Christmas Vacation, and Home Alone. They discuss the nostalgia prevalent in these movies and the limitations it imposes. They also explore the evolution of Christmas films over time, analyze the concept of nostalgia, and discuss the themes of capitalism and immorality in Scrooge. Additionally, they examine the themes of greed and conversion in Christmas Vacation and reflect on the limitations of money during Christmas.

Ryan and Todd discuss Descartes' 'Discourse on the Method', exploring radical doubt, the influence of 'I think therefore I am', the debate between 'I think therefore I am' and 'I am thinking therefore I exist', animal ethics, the difference between humans and animals, Descartes, Sartre, and Lacan's views on subjectivity, and the comparison of Blade Runner to cartesian text in cinema.

The podcast explores the structure of envy, its relationship to jealousy, and its political implications. They reference Othello and Seven as notable explorations of envy, while discussing its distinction from jealousy and its role in stealing others' enjoyment. The concept of kettle logic is explored, along with the psychological functioning of envy and its harmful effects. The importance of considering the human element in immigration and the factors contributing to envy towards the wealthy are also discussed.

The hosts discuss the origins and evolution of science fiction cinema, its influence on the portrayal of AI, the impact of expressionism on films like Metropolis and Logan's Run, the exploration of class antagonism and fascism, the relationship between the working class and scientists, the influence of 2001: A Space Odyssey, and the compulsion to lie in society.

The hosts explore Leibniz's Monadology and its connection to later thinkers like Kant and Hegel. They discuss the concept of monads as the foundation for existence and examine the role of God and reason. They analyze the movie 'Heaven Can Wait' and its portrayal of a shared fiction. They also discuss the separation between God and possibility and critique the inclusion of God in the method. Finally, they engage in a discussion about various movies including 'Defending Your Life'.