The Wes Cecil Podcast

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.

LECTURE 10 - CONCLUSION 2 of 2 (HOW DOES THE WORLD SEE THE USA?)Given Americans' central position in global trade, politics and culture, I explore how the unique American outlook is shaping, for good or ill, the global environment. From notions of extreme individualism to championing the idea of heroic consumerism, the economic power and example of America presents a serious challenge and even threat to many widely practiced social norms.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.

INTO THE DESERTThe power of Jung’s approach becomes a little more clear as we move into these later chapters. Jung is quite explicitly at war with his inherited cultural values. While it is one thing to recognize this, it is very much more difficult to try and reimagine one’s values - and hence one’s understanding of the self. Jung tries to murder the image of the hero - casting himself as an honorless assassin. He also articulates the powerful insight that the message Jesus teaches us is that we can torture and kill the gods. Siegfried from the Niebelungenlied:Now Siegfried was of noble birth, a prince without peer,His fame had spread so widely, all held him dear.His strength was like no other; his deeds could not be missed,For he had conquered dragons and the Nibelung's treasure list.In Burgundy’s bright court, his presence was a light,With golden hair and armor, he dazzled every knight.The ladies gazed in wonder, the men sang of his skill,For none could match bold Siegfried’s grace and will.As an exercise, make a list of all of the key values you sense in our culture - the importance of wealth for instance - and then try and embrace not just rejecting those values but actually overthrowing them. While it is generally fairly straightforward to make such a list, to actually internally transform ourselves, as Jung is striving to do, is extremely difficult.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.

Delve into the decline of traditional intellectual institutions and their cultural consequences, using the jazz age as a backdrop. Explore the evolution of jazz from lively dance music to a serious genre, and critique how modern consumption affects personal connections. Discover how social media algorithms alienate individuals from their cultural roots, all while rising housing costs hinder creative freedom. Finally, learn how engaging in cultural activities and community initiatives fosters personal fulfillment and a renewed sense of belonging.

LECTURE 9 - CONCLUSION 1 of 2 (THE INDIVIDUAL IN AMERICA)Do you feel alone? In the 1st of 2 concluding lectures I explore how all the forces I have been discussing throughout this series shape the lived experiences of Americans today. The combination of materialism and libertarianism with our deep calvinist roots creates a peculiar and often toxic environment that leads to a sense of isolation and nihilism.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.

Q & A #8 - NEOLIBERALISMWes and Jeremy take questions from listeners on Lecture VIII: Neoliberalism (the rise and fall-ish)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.

An Improved Audio version of a lecture on Martin Heidegger. Heidegger was one of the most influential and controversial philosophers of the 20th century. This lecture explores his life and work and attempts to frame his philosophical ideas within the context of his many ethical failings. A link to the lecture notesSign-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.

Q & A #1 - READING JUNG'S THE RED BOOKWes and Jeremy take questions from Patreon Members on Episodes 1 & 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.

Wes and Jeremy dive into the importance of finding dignity in work, even in seemingly mundane jobs. They explore the quest for authentic community connections and the struggles artists face. The conversation turns to minimalism, questioning societal ties between wealth and self-worth. They critique the corporate-driven shift in educational content on television and advocate for universal basic income as a means to elevate personal dignity. Lastly, they examine the changing landscape of education, emphasizing the decline of classical literature in favor of vocational training.

HOW TO KILL THE HERO:The power of Jung’s approach becomes a little more clear as we move into these later chapters. Jung is quite explicitly at war with his inherited cultural values. While it is one thing to recognize this, it is very much more difficult to try and reimagine one’s values - and hence one’s understanding of the self. Jung tries to murder the image of the hero - casting himself as an honorless assassin. He also articulates the powerful insight that the message Jesus teaches us is that we can torture and kill the gods. Siegfried from the Niebelungenlied:Now Siegfried was of noble birth, a prince without peer,His fame had spread so widely, all held him dear.His strength was like no other; his deeds could not be missed,For he had conquered dragons and the Nibelung's treasure list.In Burgundy’s bright court, his presence was a light,With golden hair and armor, he dazzled every knight.The ladies gazed in wonder, the men sang of his skill,For none could match bold Siegfried’s grace and will.As an exercise, make a list of all of the key values you sense in our culture - the importance of wealth for instance - and then try and embrace not just rejecting those values but actually overthrowing them. While it is generally fairly straightforward to make such a list, to actually internally transform ourselves, as Jung is striving to do, is extremely difficult.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.