Good in Theory: A Political Philosophy Podcast

This podcast explores Plato's Republic book 7, focusing on Socrates' concept of the form of the good and its influence on human action. It delves into analogies of the sun, line, and cave to discuss the nature of knowledge and the importance of philosophy. The episode also examines Socrates' vision of a utopian society with philosopher kings and the challenges of escaping the cave of ignorance.

Is it ok to laugh at The Cosby Show? To rock to “Rock With You”? To eat with the knife that was used to murder your family? Does bad luck make you a bad person?  It may seem reasonable to separate the art from the artist and the instrument from the act, but Paul says that’s not how our brains work. He thinks human morality is driven by inconsistent irrational emotions and he thinks that’s a good thing. In our second Thought Lab, we talk about bad celebrities, haunted knives and moral luck.Paul Sagar "Tainted by Association" in Aeon. Support the show

Socrates discusses the concept of philosopher kings and the challenges of implementing them in a democracy. The relationship between power, knowledge, and leadership is explored through a ship metaphor. The corrupting influence of democracy on philosophers and the role of sophists in public opinion are also discussed. Socrates examines how public opinion shapes society and individuals.

This episode discusses Plato's Republic, focusing on Socrates' controversial proposals of nationalizing the family and promoting gender equality. The podcast explores the conflicts between family loyalty, political unity, gender equality, and meritocracy raised by Plato's ideas.

This is the first in our Thought Lab series, in which political theorist Paul Sagar comes by to chat about thought experiments and the themes they raise.This week, we ask: are harmless acts ever morally wrong?Official liberal morality says “no” but most actual liberals will “yes,” if you find the right example. What about sex with dead chickens? Or your siblings? Or a child sex doll? If nobody is around to see you or hear you, is it still wrong to wear blackface?But this episode isn’t just a game of “would you rather?” Paul and I also discuss Jon Haidt’s moral psychology and why a strictly harm-based moral theory can’t do justice to most people’s moral intuitions.I want to know: Do you agree with Paul? Think he’s repugnant? Too uptight? We promise to anonymously share compliments or abuse with him.LinksPaul Sagar WebsitePaul Sagar essay on moral luck, AeonJonathan Haidt The Righteous MindChild sex doll case CBC“My Little Chicken,” Adam SandlerSupport the show

I talk about a crush I had in Paris as a boy. Then Sep and I dig into Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Marcel Proust to explain what on earth was going on in my heart. Rousseau advises how to get from boner to bonheur. Proust explains why it’s easier to fall for someone you pass in a car than someone you actually have to talk to. We find out that the human heart is a liar that it's more fun to believe anyway.  Support the show

Jeffrey Bercuson is author of A History of Political Thought: Property, Labor, and Commerce from Plato to Piketty.This book does a whirlwind tour through the history of political thought explaining how different thinkers have approached the commercial or money-making part of human life. We talk about how attitudes have shifted from ancient scepticism about commerce in Plato and Aristotle to its celebration in thinkers like Hegel and Hayek. Bercuson also explains how, even if we accept the arguments of some of capitalism’s biggest boosters, we still wind up on the left side of the existing political options. Amazon linkSupport the show

Naomi Hamer of Ryerson University tells us an unfamiliar version of a classic fairy tale then chats about how children’s stories have changed and the different moral and political and economic factors that changed them. According to Hamer the seduction and cannibalism isn’t gone, it’s just less explicit. Also, “what big hands you have grandma!” is just as horny as it always sounded. References: Naomi's Twitter Jack Zipes, "A Second Gaze at Little Red Riding Hood's Trials and Tribulations"Freeway TrailerRobertson and Flett, When We Were AloneSupport the show

Sep of Sep’s Weird Movie Blog comes on to talk about Christmas movie and capitalist fairy tale, Trading Places. Sep is Good in Theory’s episode artist, editor, and BFF of the pod. Links:Sep's TwitterTrading Places trailer  Zardoz trailerRoadhouse trailer My CBC Xmas article we mention  Support the show

Rebecca Amzallag and Zachary Amzallag join the podcast to discuss Plato's Republic. They explore topics such as justice, the structure of the human soul, the role of guardians, the impact of bad actions, city governance, education, happiness, the three parts of the soul, the relationship between justice and happiness, and Plato's theory of the soul and its influence on psychology.