

Nature and the Nation
Dylan John
Nature and the Nation explores politics, philosophy, psychology, sociology and economics from a naturalistic, paleoconservative perspective, using the format of a book review.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 5, 2026 • 1h 10min
Review: The Nineties by Chuck Klosterman
In this video I look at Ross Perot, the 90s, and Generation X as discussed by Chuck Klosterman in his book The Nineties.

Oct 25, 2026 • 1h 2min
Review: American Made by Dan DiMicco
In this episode I return to US industrial policy with a look at DiMicco's 2015 book American Made, focusing at the post-war economic situation and the Plaza Accord of 1985.

Oct 25, 2026 • 49min
Review: A History of Philosophy Vol 4 by Frederick Copleston (Descartes)
In this episode I return to Copleston's History of Philosophy series, this time focusing on Descartes, his search for certainty, and the meaning behind "I think, therefore I am."

Aug 15, 2026 • 54min
Review: A History of Philosophy Vol 3 by Frederick Copleston
In this episode I discuss the third volume of Copleston's remarkable History of Philosophy. I continue to examine the relationship between philosophy and theology, and take a bird's eye view of Late Medeival and Renaissance philosophy.

Jul 11, 2026 • 34min
Review: A History of Philosophy vol 2 by Frederick Copleston
In this episode I examine medieval philosophy and its tangled relationship with Christian theology.

Jun 20, 2026 • 52min
Review: History of Political Philosophy (Aquinas) edited by Leo Strauss and Joseph Cropsey
In this episode I look at the connections and distinctions between Aquinas and Aristotle in Ernest Fortin's essay Aquinas. I focus on the four cardinal virtues and the different between natural law and human law.

Jun 7, 2026 • 1h 11min
Review: History of Political Philosophy (Augustine) edited by Leo Strauss and Joseph Cropsey
In this episode I look at Augustine's distinction between the city of God and the earthly city, as described in the History of Political Philosophy essay by Ernest L. Fortin. I focus on the disctinction between Pagan and Christian patriotism.

Jun 7, 2026 • 57min
Review: History of Political Philosophy (Cicero) edited by Leo Strauss and Joseph Cropsey
In this episode I return once again to the magnificent History of Political Philosophy to look at James E. Holton's essay on Cicero. I focus on the mixed regime and Cicero's conservative tendencies.

May 17, 2026 • 52min
Review: A History of Philosophy vol 1 (Epicureanism) by Frederick Copleston
In this episode I look at the first volume of Frederick Copleston's nine volume History of Philosophy. I focus on the Epicureans, with a special focus on their proposal of pleasure as the purpose or end of life.

May 2, 2026 • 53min
Review: Stoicism by John Sellars
In this episode I look at John Sellars' Stoicism, exploring Stoicism's grappling with the eternal question of whether virtue is its own reward, or if happiness is the reward of a virtuous life.


