Entitled Opinions (about Life and Literature)

Thomas Sheehan has been Professor of Religious Studies at Stanford since 1999. Before coming to Stanford he taught at Loyola University of Chicago since 1972. He received his B.A. from St. Patrick's College and his Ph.D. from Fordham University. He has been the recipient of many academic honors including: Ford Foundation Fellow (1983-85), Resident Scholar […]

Kathryn Todd is a graduate student in the Physics Department at Stanford University. She completed her B.S. in Physics and Literature at Caltech in 2001. She is also the current Program Director at KZSU 90.1 FM.

Gregory Freidin is Professor of Slavic at Stanford University. He was educated first in the USSR and then went on to receive his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of California – Berkeley in 1979 with a thesis on Osip Mandelstam. He has been at Stanford since 1978. He was chair of the Slavic Department […]

Shirley Hazzard was born in Synday, Australia. Due to her parents' diplomatic positions she traveled frequently as a child, living in China, New Zealand, the USA, and Italy. In the United States she worked for the United Nations in New York in the years 1952-1962. Since then she has been a professional writer and a […]

Monika Greenleaf, an Associate Professor of Slavic Studies and Literature at Stanford, dives deep into the complexities of Nabokov's works. She discusses the lasting impact of 'Lolita' and its reflections on American youth. Greenleaf explores Nabokov's escape from Nazi Europe and his unique voice in literature. The conversation highlights his critiques of Darwinism, the boundaries of satire, and the cultural controversies surrounding his writings, particularly in the context of shifting interpretations of relationships across generations.

Michel Serres, a renowned French philosopher celebrated for his insights into science and technology, discusses the profound impact of communication evolution, from oral traditions to the digital age. He delves into the distinction between information and knowledge, highlighting the risks of confusing them in modern science. Furthermore, he examines how technology shapes our understanding of complex concepts and alters social interactions, emphasizing the enduring importance of connectivity in the digital era.

Jean-Marie Apostolidès, a French literature professor at Stanford, dives into the world of Albert Camus. He discusses the role of poverty as a creative force and contrasts Camus's philosophies with those of Sartre. The conversation reveals how Camus's personal turmoil shaped works like 'The Stranger', exploring the themes of absurdity and emotional detachment. Apostolidès also reflects on Camus’ unfinished masterpiece, 'The First Man', revealing the poignant loss of potential due to his early death and the lasting impact of his writings.

Jeffrey Schnapp, a Stanford professor specializing in Italian literature and Fascist culture, dives into the complex phenomena of crowds. He discusses how Shakespeare's portrayal of public sentiment reveals the chaos of mob behavior. The conversation explores the duality of crowds, from their unifying power to the loss of individuality. Schnapp highlights historical and contemporary views on crowds and solitude, along with the impact of totalitarian regimes on mass gatherings. The shift to digital crowds is also examined, marking a new era in collective dynamics.

Richard Rorty on the Future of Philosophy Richard Rorty is considered one of the greatest philosophers of the twentieth century. He is credited with reviving the philosophical school of American pragmatism and challenging the accepted pieties of analytic philosophy. He championed “quietism,” which he says attempts “to dissolve, rather than solve” sets of problems that […]

Professor Marjorie Perloff is Professor Emerita of English at Stanford and Scholar in Residence at USC. She was educated at Barnard College, where she received her B.A. (1953) and at the Catholic University of America where she received her Ph.D. in English (1965). She teaches courses and writes on twentieth and twenty-first century poetry and […]