
Open College Podcast
Dr. Stephen R.C. Hicks is a Canadian-American philosopher who teaches at Rockford University, Illinois. He has had visiting positions at Oxford University (England), Kasimir the Great University (Poland), and has lectured at universities across North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. He specializes in modern European philosophy and politics, and has written extensively on Kant, Marx, including his two books, Explaining Postmodernism: Skepticism and Socialism from Rousseau to Foucault and Nietzsche and the Nazis.
Latest episodes

Feb 12, 2025 • 41min
Open College with Dr. Stephen Hicks | EP60 | Pathological Varieties of Altruism
Conventional wisdom holds that altruism - putting others' interests before our own - is inherently virtuous. However, research reveals a more complex reality: when individuals strongly identify with a group, their sense of personal responsibility often diminishes in favor of group loyalty, leading to behaviors they might otherwise consider unethical. This phenomenon manifests when people rationalize questionable actions by citing their duty to the collective.
This "pathological altruism" has profound implications for human behavior and morality. Studies show that people are more likely to engage in unethical behavior when they see members of their own group doing so, while being less influenced by the actions of outsiders. This dynamic can escalate to disturbing extremes, where intense group loyalty leads individuals to justify harmful actions against those deemed outsiders, challenging our traditional understanding of selflessness and sacrifice. The research raises important questions about the true nature of altruism and its role in shaping both individual and group behavior.

Nov 26, 2024 • 1h 2min
EP59 | Liberal Education’s Postmodern Critics
In this episode of Open College, Stephen Hicks explores the philosophical underpinnings of education by contrasting pre-modern authoritarianism, modern liberalism, and postmodern critiques. Hicks examines how educational philosophies reflect deeper questions about knowledge, values, and human nature, highlighting the authoritarian tendencies of pre-modern and postmodern approaches. He advocates for modern liberal education, which emphasizes intellectual freedom, critical thinking, and informed judgment, arguing that education should prepare individuals to exercise self-responsible action while respecting diverse viewpoints. Through historical and contemporary examples, Hicks underscores the importance of maintaining intellectual diversity and liberty in educational institutions.
Follow Open College on Substack. OpenCollege.Substack.coms

Nov 11, 2024 • 59min
EP58 | Woke Postmodern Paradox
Explores the conflict between modern liberalism, which historically championed anti-racism, anti-sexism, and individual rights, and the contemporary "Woke" movement, which paradoxically rejects liberalism despite similar goals. Rooted in postmodern skepticism, Wokism emerged from a mistrust of objective truths and traditional structures, instead promoting power dynamics and subjective truths. The author categorizes Wokism into four main strands—Anti-modern Woke, The Great Awokening, Dictatorship of the Woketariat, and Motte-and-Bailey Wokists—each rejecting various aspects of liberalism and embracing distinct philosophies. The tension between reasoned liberal ideals and Woke ideology’s reliance on power and relativism has led to ongoing cultural battles, with postmodernism’s influence hollowing out the Enlightenment’s achievements and leaving a fragmented intellectual landscape.

Oct 21, 2024 • 59min
EP57 | Does Kant Matter
How do we educate students for jobs that do not exist yet? Education is preparation for life, and one’s work is a major component of life. Yet the data indicate that the workplace is transforming dramatically. The number of people working in mature and large corporations has declined. The companies that now top the Fortune 500 list are relative newcomers, as most were entrepreneurial start-ups in this generation. Advancements in robotics indicate that jobs requiring repetitive manual labor will become fewer, and advancements in artificial intelligence indicate that jobs requiring low-level intellectual labor will also become fewer. Thus, more people will be working in entrepreneurial firms, and their work will be more higher-level cognitive and creative. At the same time, we educators cannot predict what entrepreneurial firms will come into existence in this generation or what domains of creative and higher-level cognitive effort they will require. So we educators face the challenge of preparing this generation of young people for more demanding kinds of work, to work in more entrepreneurial firms, or even for becoming entrepreneurs themselves. That poses a philosophical and strategic challenge for education: How should we do that?

Oct 3, 2024 • 59min
EP56 | Ai Entrepreneurial Education Now
How do we educate students for jobs that do not exist yet? Education is preparation for life, and one’s work is a major component of life. Yet the data indicate that the workplace is transforming dramatically. The number of people working in mature and large corporations has declined. The companies that now top the Fortune 500 list are relative newcomers, as most were entrepreneurial start-ups in this generation. Advancements in robotics indicate that jobs requiring repetitive manual labor will become fewer, and advancements in artificial intelligence indicate that jobs requiring low-level intellectual labor will also become fewer. Thus, more people will be working in entrepreneurial firms, and their work will be more higher-level cognitive and creative. At the same time, we educators cannot predict what entrepreneurial firms will come into existence in this generation or what domains of creative and higher-level cognitive effort they will require. So we educators face the challenge of preparing this generation of young people for more demanding kinds of work, to work in more entrepreneurial firms, or even for becoming entrepreneurs themselves. That poses a philosophical and strategic challenge for education: How should we do that?
Website:
http://www.opencollegepodcast.com
http://www.StepheHicks.org
Stephen Hicks Books:
Liberalism: Pro & Con
Explaining Postmodernism: Skepticism and Socialism from Rousseau to Foucault
Nietzsche and the Nazis
Pocket Guide Postmodernism
Contact Dr. Hicks, on Twitter
or visit http://www.StephenHicks.org
Join our email list - http://eepurl.com/dEEsTj
Twitter: @OpenCollegePod @SRCHicks

Nov 15, 2021 • 1h 6min
EP#55 | Jordan Peterson's Religion
Where do we find the meaning of life?
In answering that question, we look to Professor Jordan Peterson a man with a foot in two worlds. He is a man of science, proficient in the biological bases of psychology and the developments of psychology as an applied science.
Website:
http://www.opencollegepodcast.com
http://www.StepheHicks.org
Support Open College with BitCoin & Crypto
https://cointr.ee/opencollegepodcast
Stephen Hicks Books:
Liberalism: Pro & Con
https://www.amazon.ca/Liberalism-Stephen-R-C-Hicks/dp/1925826821/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=stephen+hicks&qid=1606248873&sr=8-4
Explaining Postmodernism: Skepticism and Socialism from Rousseau to Foucault
https://www.amazon.ca/Explaining-Postmodernism-Skepticism-Socialism-Rousseau-ebook/dp/B005D53DG0/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=stephen+hicks&qid=1606248873&sr=8-1
Nietzsche and the Nazis
https://www.amazon.ca/Nietzsche-Nazis-Stephen-R-C-Hicks-ebook/dp/B003XVYHRU/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=stephen+hicks&qid=1606248873&sr=8-2
Pocket Guide to Postmodernism
https://www.amazon.ca/Pocket-Guide-Postmodernism-Andrew-Colgan-ebook/dp/B08DQ3MYHQ/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=stephen+hicks&qid=1606248873&sr=8-3
Open College Audio Platforms
Apple Podcasts
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/open-college-podcast/id1438324613?mt=2
SoundCloud
http://www.soundcloud.com/opencollegepodcast
Stitcher
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/possibly-correct/open-college-podcast-with-dr-stephen-rc-hicks
Google Play
https://play.google.com/music/m/Iuramibvl3n32ojiutoxhlba4gu?t=Open_College_Podcast
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/2qgnmMDAEevJ28UNdXvboZ?si=LuTt_Zc5Th-kOpNd5thgBw
Video Platforms
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/opencollegepodcast
Bitchute
http://www.bitchute.com/opencollegepodcast
Odysee
https://odysee.com/@StephenHicksOpenCollege:4
Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-657777
Join our email list - http://eepurl.com/dEEsTj
Contact Dr. Hicks, on twitter @SRChicks or visit http://www.StephenHicks.org
Minds: www.minds.com/opencollege
Bitchute: www.bitchute.com/opencollegepodcast
Facebook: www.facebook.com/OpenCollegePodcast
Locals: https://opencollege.locals.com
MeWe: mewe.com/i/possiblycorrectmedia

Sep 28, 2021 • 59min
EP #54 | Socialism: Scientific or Religious?
Sponsored By
CleanMyMac: http://www.possiblycorrect.com/cleanmymacstephenhicks
NordVPN: http://www.possiblycorrect.com/opencollegenordvpn
Ledger Secure Crypto Hard Wallet: http://shop.ledger.com/pages/christmas-pack?r=90dc644f6eea
Website:
http://www.opencollegepodcast.com
http://www.StepheHicks.org
Support Open College with BitCoin & Crypto
https://cointr.ee/opencollegepodcast
Stephen Hicks Books:
Liberalism: Pro & Con
https://www.amazon.ca/Liberalism-Stephen-R-C-Hicks/dp/1925826821/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=stephen+hicks&qid=1606248873&sr=8-4
Explaining Postmodernism: Skepticism and Socialism from Rousseau to Foucault
https://www.amazon.ca/Explaining-Postmodernism-Skepticism-Socialism-Rousseau-ebook/dp/B005D53DG0/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=stephen+hicks&qid=1606248873&sr=8-1
Nietzsche and the Nazis
https://www.amazon.ca/Nietzsche-Nazis-Stephen-R-C-Hicks-ebook/dp/B003XVYHRU/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=stephen+hicks&qid=1606248873&sr=8-2
Pocket Guide to Postmodernism
https://www.amazon.ca/Pocket-Guide-Postmodernism-Andrew-Colgan-ebook/dp/B08DQ3MYHQ/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=stephen+hicks&qid=1606248873&sr=8-3
Open College Audio Platforms
Apple Podcasts
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/open-college-podcast/id1438324613?mt=2
SoundCloud
http://www.soundcloud.com/opencollegepodcast
Stitcher
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/possibly-correct/open-college-podcast-with-dr-stephen-rc-hicks
Google Play
https://play.google.com/music/m/Iuramibvl3n32ojiutoxhlba4gu?t=Open_College_Podcast
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/2qgnmMDAEevJ28UNdXvboZ?si=LuTt_Zc5Th-kOpNd5thgBw
Video Platforms
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/opencollegepodcast
Bitchute
http://www.bitchute.com/opencollegepodcast
Odysee
https://odysee.com/@StephenHicksOpenCollege:4
Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-657777
Join our email list - http://eepurl.com/dEEsTj
Contact Dr. Hicks, on twitter @SRChicks or visit http://www.StephenHicks.org
Minds: www.minds.com/opencollege
Bitchute: www.bitchute.com/opencollegepodcast
Facebook: www.facebook.com/OpenCollegePodcast
Locals: https://opencollege.locals.com

Aug 31, 2021 • 53min
EP #53 | Morality Without Gods
In this episode Dr. Stephen Hicks addressed the philosophical question, does morality require the existence of the gods or a God, or is morality part of our human nature?
Sponsored By
CleanMyMac: http://www.possiblycorrect.com/cleanmymacstephenhicks
NordVPN: http://www.possiblycorrect.com/opencollegenordvpn
Ledger Secure Crypto Hard Wallet: http://shop.ledger.com/pages/christmas-pack?r=90dc644f6eea
Website:
http://www.opencollegepodcast.com
http://www.StepheHicks.org
Support Open College with BitCoin & Crypto
https://cointr.ee/opencollegepodcast
Stephen Hicks Books:
Liberalism: Pro & Con
https://www.amazon.ca/Liberalism-Stephen-R-C-Hicks/dp/1925826821/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=stephen+hicks&qid=1606248873&sr=8-4
Explaining Postmodernism: Skepticism and Socialism from Rousseau to Foucault
https://www.amazon.ca/Explaining-Postmodernism-Skepticism-Socialism-Rousseau-ebook/dp/B005D53DG0/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=stephen+hicks&qid=1606248873&sr=8-1
Nietzsche and the Nazis
https://www.amazon.ca/Nietzsche-Nazis-Stephen-R-C-Hicks-ebook/dp/B003XVYHRU/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=stephen+hicks&qid=1606248873&sr=8-2
Pocket Guide to Postmodernism
https://www.amazon.ca/Pocket-Guide-Postmodernism-Andrew-Colgan-ebook/dp/B08DQ3MYHQ/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=stephen+hicks&qid=1606248873&sr=8-3
Open College Audio Platforms
Apple Podcasts
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/open-college-podcast/id1438324613?mt=2
SoundCloud
http://www.soundcloud.com/opencollegepodcast
Stitcher
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/possibly-correct/open-college-podcast-with-dr-stephen-rc-hicks
Google Play
https://play.google.com/music/m/Iuramibvl3n32ojiutoxhlba4gu?t=Open_College_Podcast
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/2qgnmMDAEevJ28UNdXvboZ?si=LuTt_Zc5Th-kOpNd5thgBw
Video Platforms
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/opencollegepodcast
Bitchute
http://www.bitchute.com/opencollegepodcast
Lbry.tv
https://lbry.tv/@StephenHicksOpenCollege:4/open-college-with-dr-stephen-hicks-ep-45:5
Odysee
https://odysee.com/@StephenHicksOpenCollege:4
Join our email list - http://eepurl.com/dEEsTj
Contact Dr. Hicks, on twitter @SRChicks or visit http://www.StephenHicks.org
Minds: www.minds.com/opencollege
Bitchute: www.bitchute.com/opencollegepodcast
Facebook: www.facebook.com/OpenCollegePodcast
gab.ai: www.gab.ai/opencollege
MeWe: mewe.com/i/possiblycorrectmedia

Aug 10, 2021 • 1h 11min
EP #52 | A Conversation with Will Knowland
Will Knowland was removed from his role at the prestigious Eton College after posting a lecture on Youtube challenging the third wave modern feminist concept 'toxic masculinity'. Knowland was sacked after he repeatedly refused requests from the college's head master Simon Henderson to take the video down. The video, called the Patriarchy paradox, has been viewed more than 100,000 times and is a refutation of claims outlined by some third wave feminists. Due to the perceived controversy Mr. Knowland’s wife has also been targeted and fired from her job rendering the couple technically homeless. Mr. Knowland’s argument that children need to understand all sides of an argument and his belief that young boys should not allow themselves to feel shame for being boys, has been ignored by the prestigious Eton school head master.
Sponsored By
CleanMyMac: http://www.possiblycorrect.com/cleanmymacstephenhicks
NordVPN: http://www.possiblycorrect.com/opencollegenordvpn
Ledger Secure Crypto Hard Wallet: http://shop.ledger.com/pages/christmas-pack?r=90dc644f6eea
Website:
http://www.opencollegepodcast.com
http://www.StepheHicks.org
Support Open College with BitCoin & Crypto
https://cointr.ee/opencollegepodcast
Stephen Hicks Books:
Liberalism: Pro & Con
https://www.amazon.ca/Liberalism-Stephen-R-C-Hicks/dp/1925826821/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=stephen+hicks&qid=1606248873&sr=8-4
Explaining Postmodernism: Skepticism and Socialism from Rousseau to Foucault
https://www.amazon.ca/Explaining-Postmodernism-Skepticism-Socialism-Rousseau-ebook/dp/B005D53DG0/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=stephen+hicks&qid=1606248873&sr=8-1
Nietzsche and the Nazis
https://www.amazon.ca/Nietzsche-Nazis-Stephen-R-C-Hicks-ebook/dp/B003XVYHRU/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=stephen+hicks&qid=1606248873&sr=8-2
Pocket Guide to Postmodernism
https://www.amazon.ca/Pocket-Guide-Postmodernism-Andrew-Colgan-ebook/dp/B08DQ3MYHQ/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=stephen+hicks&qid=1606248873&sr=8-3
Open College Audio Platforms
Apple Podcasts
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/open-college-podcast/id1438324613?mt=2
SoundCloud
http://www.soundcloud.com/opencollegepodcast
Stitcher
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/possibly-correct/open-college-podcast-with-dr-stephen-rc-hicks
Google Play
https://play.google.com/music/m/Iuramibvl3n32ojiutoxhlba4gu?t=Open_College_Podcast
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/2qgnmMDAEevJ28UNdXvboZ?si=LuTt_Zc5Th-kOpNd5thgBw
Video Platforms
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/opencollegepodcast
Bitchute
http://www.bitchute.com/opencollegepodcast
Lbry.tv
https://lbry.tv/@StephenHicksOpenCollege:4/open-college-with-dr-stephen-hicks-ep-45:5
Odysee
https://odysee.com/@StephenHicksOpenCollege:4
Join our email list - http://eepurl.com/dEEsTj
Contact Dr. Hicks, on twitter @SRChicks or visit http://www.StephenHicks.org
Minds: www.minds.com/opencollege
Bitchute: www.bitchute.com/opencollegepodcast
Facebook: www.facebook.com/OpenCollegePodcast
gab.ai: www.gab.ai/opencollege
MeWe: mewe.com/i/possiblycorrectmedia

Jul 27, 2021 • 44min
EP #51 | Would Immortality Be Worth It
Sponsored By
CleanMyMac: http://www.possiblycorrect.com/cleanmymacstephenhicks
NordVPN: http://www.possiblycorrect.com/opencollegenordvpn
Ledger Secure Crypto Hard Wallet: http://shop.ledger.com/pages/christmas-pack?r=90dc644f6eea
Website:
http://www.opencollegepodcast.com
http://www.StepheHicks.org
Support Open College with BitCoin & Crypto
https://cointr.ee/opencollegepodcast
Stephen Hicks Books:
Liberalism: Pro & Con
https://www.amazon.ca/Liberalism-Stephen-R-C-Hicks/dp/1925826821/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=stephen+hicks&qid=1606248873&sr=8-4
Explaining Postmodernism: Skepticism and Socialism from Rousseau to Foucault
https://www.amazon.ca/Explaining-Postmodernism-Skepticism-Socialism-Rousseau-ebook/dp/B005D53DG0/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=stephen+hicks&qid=1606248873&sr=8-1
Nietzsche and the Nazis
https://www.amazon.ca/Nietzsche-Nazis-Stephen-R-C-Hicks-ebook/dp/B003XVYHRU/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=stephen+hicks&qid=1606248873&sr=8-2
Pocket Guide to Postmodernism
https://www.amazon.ca/Pocket-Guide-Postmodernism-Andrew-Colgan-ebook/dp/B08DQ3MYHQ/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=stephen+hicks&qid=1606248873&sr=8-3
Open College Audio Platforms
Apple Podcasts
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/open-college-podcast/id1438324613?mt=2
SoundCloud
http://www.soundcloud.com/opencollegepodcast
Stitcher
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/possibly-correct/open-college-podcast-with-dr-stephen-rc-hicks
Google Play
https://play.google.com/music/m/Iuramibvl3n32ojiutoxhlba4gu?t=Open_College_Podcast
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/2qgnmMDAEevJ28UNdXvboZ?si=LuTt_Zc5Th-kOpNd5thgBw
Video Platforms
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/opencollegepodcast
Bitchute
http://www.bitchute.com/opencollegepodcast
Lbry.tv
https://lbry.tv/@StephenHicksOpenCollege:4/open-college-with-dr-stephen-hicks-ep-45:5
Odysee
https://odysee.com/@StephenHicksOpenCollege:4
Join our email list - http://eepurl.com/dEEsTj
Contact Dr. Hicks, on twitter @SRChicks or visit http://www.StephenHicks.org
Minds: www.minds.com/opencollege
Bitchute: www.bitchute.com/opencollegepodcast
Facebook: www.facebook.com/OpenCollegePodcast
gab.ai: www.gab.ai/opencollege
MeWe: mewe.com/i/possiblycorrectmedia
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.