PlasticPills - Philosophy & Critical Theory Podcast

According to Derrida, metaphysicians have spent 2000 years conceptually boxing-in metaphor because they don't want to admit their dependence on figurative language. This has allowed them to trick themselves into believing that fiction and non-fiction are fundamentally different; that one can be true and the other cannot. In White Mythology, Derrida discovers the metaphors buried in philosophy from Plato to Hegel, even as they try to hide them.We spent three weeks reading this text, you can find the episodes at https://www.patreon.com/plasticpills

We go deeper into Maurice Merleau-Ponty's insights in The Visible and The Invisible, e.g. The Flesh of the World, the Chiasm, and the Intertwining and what these mean for a meditative experience on the daily. Get the full episode and tons of others at https://www.patreon.com/plasticpills

This week we looked into OG critic of fascism Wilhelm Reich, who wrote The Mass Psychology of Fascism right after the Nazis were elected in 1933. Reich was among the first "neomarxists", and believed that Marxists need to understand psychoanalysis to understand Fascism.Link to textFind our full episodes on philosophy and theory at https://www.patreon.com/plasticpills

We compare Maurice Merleau-Ponty's insights in an unfinished work he wrote before his death to the meditations of Buddhist philosopher Nagarjuna 18 centuries prior.This episode and all the rest can be found at https://www.patreon.com/plasticpills

The podcast dives into the New York Times' claims about scholars fleeing Trump, revealing they’re actually settled in Canada for work. It humorously critiques the so-called 'fascism experts' and questions their legitimacy while dissecting the oversimplified notion that fascism and communism are interchangeable. The hosts challenge political narratives shaped by media sensationalism, urging deeper understanding of historical contexts. They also reflect on the complexities of American politics, raising alarm about rising reactionary ideologies and the need for political engagement.

Dive into the world of Canadian politics as a new Prime Minister emerges, backed by his thought-provoking book. Explore the theatricality of political rituals in Canada versus the U.S., and uncover the complex dance between neoliberalism and corporate responsibility. Engage with the critical debate on carbon taxes and the implications of a finance-savvy leader in a populist era. Finally, dissect reactions from the far-right to the new Pope, bringing humor to an evolving political landscape.

The conversation dives into the contentious relationship between Trump and higher education, shedding light on his claims of corruption in academia. They dissect the impact of political pressures on university policies and the complexities of diversity and equity initiatives. The dialogue also addresses market shifts influenced by political actions and the absurdities surrounding language restrictions in academia. With a mix of humor and critical analysis, the group examines the ideological struggles that shape contemporary educational discourse.

After a long hiatus, Pills returns to the main show with some new musings over The Last Samurai, Buddhism and the phenomenology of religion. The Kyoto School and Nagarjuna were mentioned in the episode, but we didn't get into much depth this time round. Find everything we make at the feed at https://www.patreon.com/plasticpills

This is Part 3.What makes a prophet a prophet? As we are on the civilization decline hill, we are going to experience a higher volume of prophets than usual.Don't miss an episode https://www.patreon.com/plasticpills

The contemporary political situation has rendered Paradise Lost more relevant now than any time since it was penned by John Milton's daughters. It is an epic, revolutionary in both style and politics, and for this episode we have an expert, Victor Hainagiu, who is writing his dissertation on it. Check out William Blake's illustrations of the text: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Blake%27s_illustrations_of_Paradise_LostFind all the episodes ad-free at https://www.patreon.com/plasticpills