Political Philosophy Podcast

Originally a symbol of mobility, of escape and adventure, we have now built much of our world around the car. Has doing so liberated us? Moore & Kay argue that it has not.

Does my argument that the left should not threaten abstention survive Liam's case that we can't impose message discipline on online communities? An open free-form chat.

Liam Bright discusses his influential White Psychodrama paper & we give our takes on the various cultural products arising from white guilt. Is the era of 'high woke' over, and is there anything to be learn't from it?

James S. Fishkin, the Pioneer of deliberative polling joins the podcast. We discuss the nature of public opinion, how it can be changed, the positivities of consensus, 'activist disfunction' and can deliberation help cure our current democratic death spiral.

Alec Crisman, a writer exploring the tension between political and comprehensive liberalism, engages in a lively debate about the future of liberalism in today's fraught political climate. The discussion tackles whether liberals should adopt a more aggressive stance against rising authoritarianism or retreat to neutrality. Crisman expresses concerns about the implications of comprehensive liberalism on autonomy and societal values. They also delve into the complexities of ideological recruitment and the need for effective counter-narratives amidst contemporary political challenges.

The series continues, exploring the world the Bible was born into. Another genre of writing these texts existed within was the Ancient Near Eastern law code. We look at the most famous, focusing on sex, marriage, adultery, homosexuality, and offending cows.

From Ancient Egypt, to Ethiopia, to the Islamic tradition, Africa had a rich - & truly ancient - tradition of philosophy prior to European Colonization. Peter Adamson and Chike Jeffers join the podcast to discuss. Africana Philosophy from Ancient Egypt to the Nineteenth Century: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/africana-philosophy-from-ancient-egypt-to-the-nineteenth-century-9780198927174?cc=gb&lang=en& Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/PoliticalPhilosophyPodcast

Natasha Piano, an assistant professor at UCLA specializing in democratic theory, discusses the complexities of democracy in light of her book, Democratic Elitism. She critiques the conventional link between elections and democracy, urging for a broader understanding of representation. The conversation dives into Machiavelli’s thoughts on elite dominance and popular resistance, and the influence of right populism on voter behavior. Piano highlights the role of masculinity in political ideologies and the cyclical nature of institutional change, advocating for innovative reforms and trust between elites and the public.

Delve into the ancient context of biblical stories, tracing their roots back to 1850 BC Babylon. Discover how narratives like Atrahasis influenced the Genesis flood tale and reflect societal norms of the time. Uncover the vital role of Babylonian scribes in shaping literature and record-keeping that echoes today. Explore the evolution of flood myths and the sophisticated forces behind their storytelling, revealing a complex interplay of culture, religion, and literature in shaping ancient belief systems.

A shot preview of a new series I'll be doing on the podcast