The New Thinkery

In this edition of The New Thinkery, the guys take a look at perhaps the greatest individual of the 20th century: Winston Churchill. Specifically, the guys analyze Churchill's 1931 essay "Mass Effects in Modern Life." The essay poses two core questions. First, whether we can escape mass systems and their effects. Second, whether mass systems are in the interest of the greater good. Tune in to see the guys break it down.

In this edition of The New Thinkery, the guys are back from stuffing themselves with turkey last week, and are joined by Dr. Robert Faulkner, a research professor at Boston College focusing on modern political philosophy and American political and legal thought. They expand upon episode sixteen's look at Francis Bacon's works. In addition to a philosophy and history lesson, stick around for the ever-fun lightning round Q&A at the end!

In this short bonus episode of TNT, Alex, David, and Greg go around the digital table discussing what they're thankful for. Alex also poses lightning round questions. Stick around to hear about Greg's literally smoking truck.

In this edition of The New Thinkery, the guys talk about life in Sparta through the lens of Plutarch's writings on Lycurgus. You might be asking yourself what an ostensible history text is doing on a philosophy podcast. Rest assured, looking at Spartan life raises several philosophical questions. 

This week, the guys return to Plato and Socrates. In the third installment of this ongoing series analyzing Plato's Symposium, the guys break down Pausanias' speech. This includes a discussion of ancient Greek pederasty. Plus: stick around until the end for a lightning round Q&A.

In this episode of The New Thinkery, the guys tackle Francis Bacon. Specifically, the guys reveal Bacon's idea of who should rule us. Plus: is Bacon Machiavellian?

In this edition of The New Thinkery, the guys are joined by James Ceaser, professor of politics at the University of Virginia. Together, the group discuss the nature of foundings. From ancient Greece on up to the founding of America, there are a few common elements that define a founding, and Professor Ceaser reveals them for you. Plus: stick around until the end for a series of very interesting lightning round Q&A!

Shakespeare's Macbeth is among his most famous plays. it is "read" far and wide in high school classrooms, where the teacher promptly puts students to sleep by making such an interesting play boring. The guys are back this week to set the record straight and talk about Macbeth in a thought-provoking way, highlighting the crucial philosophical underpinnings of the play. Plus: Greg is definitely a witch/warlock, but you didn't hear that from the producer. 

This week, the guys return to ancient Greece and the roots of Western political philosophy, Plato and Socrates. In this installment of an ongoing series analyzing Plato's Symposium, the guys break down the short, yet telling, speech by Phaedrus. Plus: you have mailbag questions, and the guys have the answers.

This week the guys return to Greek philosophy after their trip to the movies. They go through Aristotle's discussion of courage in Book III of the Nicomachean Ethics. Spoiler: there's more to it than just facing your fears.