The New Thinkery

This week, the guys are joined by Walter Sterling, the freshly minted president of St. John's College in Santa Fe to discuss one of the twentieth century's most important poems, T. S. Eliot's "The Waste Land." The group work their way through the work's oppressive density and prose to get at the crucial themes and messages underlying it all. Plus: a tangential discussion about Saint John's College and Sterling's background with the college.

It's back to school season, and to mark the occasion, the full host complement is joined by Dr. Pano Kanelos, founding president of the University of Austin. Together, the ensemble dissect key moments in Hamlet. That includes a potential recontextualization of the best-known soliloquy in the world, Hamlet's “To be or not to be” speech. Plus: a look at the University of Austin as it prepares to welcome its inaugural class.

Joining Alex and Greg this week is Professor Robert Wyllie of Ashland University. He guides the group through the thought-provoking world of Byung-Chul Han, one of today's most interesting living philosophers, using his new ciritcal introduction to Han as a baseline. Professor Wyllie delves especially into Han's early work, exploring his weighty ideas on technology, culture, and the human condition in a way accessible to newcomers and veteran listeners alike. Tune in for a thinker that bridges the gap between Korean and German thought!

This week, Alex and Greg delve into Jan Patočka's 1975 essay "The Spiritual Person & the Intellectual," exploring its profound insights on the nature of human existence and the role of intellectuals in society. Joined by Flagg Taylor of Skidmore College, the group examine Patočka's challenge to modernity and his vision for a more spiritually grounded intellectual life, as well as recounting relevant points in his personal life, including his death at the hands of communists.

In this engaging discussion, Michael Davis, a professor at Sarah Lawrence College with a passion for Greek tragedy, dives into the themes of fate and justice as explored in his latest work, focusing on Electra. The conversation unveils the multifaceted portrayals of Electra across Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides. They examine the interplay between tragedy and philosophy, revealing how these ancient narratives resonate with contemporary thoughts on gender, identity, and the complexities of human experience.

Join the guys this week as they explore the nuanced concept of piety in Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics with esteemed scholar Mary Nichols. Nichols is Professor Emerita of Political Science at Baylor University, where she taught from 2004-2018, and brings her profound insights and expertise to this rich discussion. Delve into the philosophical depths of virtue, ethics, and piety with one of the leading voices in the field.

Explore the intriguing dialogue of Plato's Lysis on friendship and philosophy. Unpack Socrates' interactions with Lysis and peers, dissecting the essence of true friendship and human relationships. Dive into the nuances of philosophy, love, rivalry, and self-reflection. Plus, discover The New Thinkery's merch store launch and playful banter on unique items like a Greg Vigbrayer blow-up doll.

Join the guys as they delve into Ralph Waldo Emerson's brief essay, "The American Scholar," picking apart the diagnostic value of Emerson's view of the American mind. Through insightful discussions and thorough analysis, they explore the relevance and implications of Emerson's ideas in the modern world, offering a critique of Emerson's transcendentalism and challenging its practicality and impact on contemporary thought. 

This week, Alex and Greg replace David with renowned philosopher CDC Reeve. The group delve into Aristotle's Dialectic, exploring the depths of ancient Greek philosophy and its relevance today, specifically how Aristotle's method of dialogue and debate seeks to uncover truths through logical reasoning and critical questioning. Plus: don't miss the lightning round!

Happy Fourth of July from the New Thinkery! This week, Alex and Greg are joined by Paul Carrese, professor at Arizona State University and senior fellow at the Jack Miller Center, to discuss George Washington in observance of Independence Day. The group discuss George Washington's ascendancy to power, his attempts to stop factionalism, and his impact as a global figure.