

The Wes Cecil Podcast
Wes Cecil
My lectures are dedicated to making Philosophy in particular and the world of ideas in general available to everyone. My exploration of topics and thinkers is designed to provide a foundation for listeners to engage in further reading and thought and develop their own conceptions of the topics I introduce. I have PhD in Literature and Philosophy and was a college professor for over 20 years. I am working to remove the barriers that prevent many from experiencing and understanding the lives and thoughts of some of the world's greatest thinkers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 25, 2025 • 1h 17min
Q & A 2: House of the Intellect - Ep. 9
Q & A #2 - HOUSE OF THE INTELLECT Wes and Jeremy take questions from Patreon Members on House of the Intellect.Sign-up for Wes’s PATREON to get your questions answered by Wes!Plus, gain access to course materials, reading lists, bonus lectures, and Wes’s weekly diaries from France. Only $2 / month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

5 snips
Feb 24, 2025 • 44min
House of the Intellect - Ep. 8
The discussion dives into the frustrations of bureaucratic systems that strip away individuality. It contrasts ancient ideals with oppressive structures, shedding light on the importance of personal identity. Challenges in cultural spaces like museums and universities reveal how bureaucracy can stifle meaningful engagement. The podcast advocates for creativity over conformity, emphasizing the unique voices of creators amidst mass production. Examples like jazz and adjustable kitchen counters illustrate the value of personal expression in a homogenized world.

Feb 21, 2025 • 1h 26min
Major Thinkers - Simone Weil- Ep. 6
Largely forgotten today, she was an influential thinker and, perhaps, mystic who lived a life of ethical commitment in an extraordinarily difficult period in history. She provided an inspirational example to many of her contemporaries and the tone of her works as much as the power of her arguments brought her wide acclaim.Sign-up for Wes’s PATREON to get your questions answered by Wes!Plus, gain access to course materials, reading lists, bonus lectures, and Wes’s weekly diaries from France. Only $2 / month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 19, 2025 • 29min
Reading Jung's Redbook - Ep. 7 (Conclusion)
CONCLUSION:I conclude the series with the end of the first book of the Red Book. In the last section we see Jung sliding back and forth between various ideas of the role he is supposed to fulfill - kill god, be god, ignore god - and how we should respond to this. I also reflect on the difference between inspiration and discovery, what Jung is trying to do, and Philosophy, which generally requires a much more rigorous implementation of vocabulary, logic and consistency. Nonetheless I think Jung provides a great example of someone trying to explore and overcome the limitations of their own beliefs in a way that I find quite inspirational.Sign-up for Wes’s PATREON to get your questions answered by Wes!Plus, gain access to course materials, reading lists, bonus lectures, and Wes’s weekly diaries from France. Only $2 / month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 17, 2025 • 48min
House of the Intellect - Ep. 7
Dive into the complex relationship between technology and culture as it critiques the isolation of tech from intellectual values. Discover how advanced healthcare tools often clash with bureaucratic obstacles, leaving patients in the lurch. Experience a sobering look at the myth of efficiency in healthcare and education, where data-driven approaches can overlook real human needs. Finally, reflect on the essential human element that technology often misses, urging a deeper understanding of the societies that shape our innovations.

Feb 14, 2025 • 1h 21min
Major Thinkers - Jacques Derrida- Ep. 5
One of the most influential and controversial philosophers of the late 20th century, Derrida specialized in trying to unmoor our sense of certainty and truth. Working across 50 books, he was an intellectual gad-fly in the tradition of Socrates who always wanted us to be suspicious of clarity. He almost single-handedly brought continental philosophy back to the English speaking world. You can find the original Lecture Notes HereSign-up for Wes’s PATREON to get your questions answered by Wes!Plus, gain access to course materials, reading lists, bonus lectures, and Wes’s weekly diaries from France. Only $2 / month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 13, 2025 • 1h 20min
A Cultural History of The United States - Ep. 20
Q & A #9 - CONCLUSIONWes and Jeremy take questions from listeners on Lectures IX and X: Conclusion Parts 1 and 2Sign-up for Wes’s PATREON to get your questions answered by Wes! Plus, gain access to course materials, reading lists, bonus lectures, and Wes’s weekly diaries from France. Only $2 / month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 12, 2025 • 41min
Reading Jung's The Red Book - Ep. 6
BEYOND RIGHT AND WRONGHere Jung moves beyond simply rejecting the Right and Wrong and tries to create an ethos of ambiguity. Focusing on a dream involving Elijah and Salome, he experiences the intertwined relationship of lust and purity, truth and lies, seduction and holiness. Here is a great entry in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy on De Beauvoir’s Ethics of Ambiguity Simone de Beauvoir (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy).Sign-up for Wes’s PATREON to get your questions answered by Wes!Plus, gain access to course materials, reading lists, bonus lectures, and Wes’s weekly diaries from France. Only $2 / month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 10, 2025 • 36min
House of the Intellect - Ep. 6
The podcast delves into how culture and personal habits limit our engagement with enriching experiences. It highlights the shift from communal to solitary media consumption, noting how this has diminished meaningful discussions. There's a critical look at mindless media habits that prioritize quantity over quality, leading to alienation. The discussion also revisits the Renaissance's individuality ideal, advocating for a balance between personal expression and community engagement. Ultimately, it champions active participation in art to foster deeper connections.

Feb 7, 2025 • 1h 24min
Major Thinkers - Bertrand Russell - Ep. 4
Bertrand Russell was a famous and influential thinker. He became a popular philosopher after his groundbreaking attempt to found mathematics on a prefect, logically complete footing failed. This is an improved audio version of my original lecture delivered at Peninsula College.Here is a link to is very readable and enlightening History of Western PhilosophySign-up for Wes’s PATREON to get your questions answered by Wes!Plus, gain access to course materials, reading lists, bonus lectures, and Wes’s weekly diaries from France. Only $2 / month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.