Young Heretics

Explore justice at the macro and personal level while discussing the role of love in creating a just society. Learn about the tragic story of Orestes and the influence of Rousseau on the American founders. Examine the flaws of the humanitarian theory of justice and reflect on justice, healing, and reconciliation in the context of the Civil War. Uncover complexities surrounding property and intellectual property, and the connection between property and self and personhood.

Guest Alex Priou, classicist and co-host of the New Thinkery podcast, discusses his book on Plato's Symposium. They explore the true meaning of love, the limitations of science, and the significance of prose style in philosophy. They also touch upon the purpose of scholarly writing, Nietzsche's style, and the role of technical knowledge in understanding humanity.

We hear the word "justice" and immediately think "punishment." But justice in the truest sense isn't only a set of rules: it's also a virtue. From Plato to Dante by way of Stephen Sondheim, Spencer explains the last of the four cardinal virtues as both a source and a destination of love. Plus: an extended mailbag question about dealing with gender dysphoria. Sign up to be in the mailbag: https://rejoiceevermore.substack.com/ Check out my book, How to Save the West: https://a.co/d/fisa1Kq  

For this week's interview, Spencer is joined by Faith Moore, relation, to discuss her upcoming novel Christmas Karol. The two siblings discuss the power of storytelling to change hearts, how to truly recognize the value of motherhood, and why Charles Dickens's tale of Christmas has become such an enduring classic. Plus: stories about how annoying it was to grow up with Spencer. Pre-order faith's book, Christmas Karol: https://a.co/d/9IDMq9C Find faith on Twitter @FaithKMoore

Aristotle, ancient philosopher and thinker, discusses decision-making tactics from Brexit to practical wisdom. The podcast explores the relation between practical wisdom and the OODA loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) and the significance of discipline and perseverance. It also delves into Stoicism, the process of reasoning, meditation, and the role of experience in decision making.

How does a wandering mind find its way to the classics? How do you cultivate renewal in a world of ruin? Spencer interviews Shane Sorensen, author of Renaissance Wisdom, about his self-instructed entry into the great conversation, and the pursuit of eternal virtues at the end of an age. Much like Petrarch and the leaders of the Renaissance, we find ourselves today on the cusp of something altogether new. Check out Shane's book, Renaissance Wisdom: https://a.co/d/7mM4AD6 Discover Shane's podcast: https://renaissance-wisdom.com/ Follow him on Instagram: https://instagram.com/renaissancewisdom

What's the point of all this obscure knowledge? Spencer turns from contemplative wisdom to phronēsis, practical wisdom or the knowledge of how to do what is good for you as a human being. Subjects covered include free will, determinism, and why what is good for you is not necessarily good for a fish. Spoiler: it's because you can't breathe underwater! Subscribe to my newsletter: https://rejoiceevermore.substack.com/ Check out my book, How to Save the West: https://a.co/d/3OhqD3i "God in Translation," an essay on the language of the Gospels in CRB: https://claremontreviewofbooks.com/god-in-translation/

Welcome to Young Heretics: Conversations, a new series of specials devoted to living out high ideals in the modern day. Spencer talks with Peachy Keenan, author of Domestic Extremist, about how to break the spell of latter-day feminism, what it means to be extremely domestic, and why everyone's obsessed with the Barbie movie. Check out Peachy's book: https://a.co/d/3JRD8UL Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/KeenanPeachy Read her substack: https://peachykeenan.substack.com/

This week on the show, Spencer takes the study of wisdom to the very foundations of the world, where existence came into being and human consciousness came online. This is the virtue of the soul that allows us to understand what we are, and why we're more than just accidents. It's trippy--so buckle up--but it's also the realest thing there is. Sign up for my mailing list: https://rejoiceevermore.substack.com/ Check out my book: https://a.co/d/9Zq300Q  

Some ideas are so stupid only an intellectual could believe them. But some wisdom is so profound only an old man can pass it on. In this new installment of his series on the virtues, Spencer introduces a form of moral excellence that is sorely lacking in the world: not intelligence or intellectual horsepower, but sophia, the wisdom that connects us to the order governing all time and space. Plus: an elaborate reference to the Matrix. Sign up to be in the mailbag: https://rejoiceevermore.substack.com/ Check out my book, How to Save the West: https://a.co/d/6hxh8Oo