The Wisdom Of
Kristian Urstad and Stephen Webb
In this podcast we explore great works of philosophy and literature and art, and try to pull out of them what’s most interesting and inspiring! Whether they come from the works of Plato, or Dostoevsky or Picasso, here we explore ideas that move mountains and rock the soul! So, come join us, won’t you? Come worship at the alter of ideas, and come celebrate the dancing of thought. Welcome to the Wisdom Of!
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 8, 2025 • 12min
Aristotle and Nietzsche - A return to TOUCH in a disembodied age!
In our age of digitization, our sense of touch has clearly been demoted. For thinkers like Aristotle and Nietzsche, the cost is enormous!
Aug 8, 2025 • 19min
The Absurd and the Sand: A Camusian Reading of Woman in the Dunes
Woman in the Dunes is a 1964 Japanese film directed by Hiroshi Teshigahara. It's about a guy who gets trapped in a sandpit and has to keep shovelling sand to stay alive! It's a repetitive and futile situation! Ring any bells?
Aug 4, 2025 • 16min
The Philosopher and his Poodles: Schopenhauer's Ethics of Compassion!
The German philosopher Schopenhauer believed that compassion was the true foundation of morality. It worked best when it came to his dogs!
Jul 23, 2025 • 14min
The Fissure of Being, or Why You’re Never Whole: Sartre’s Existential Bombshell!
Why are we not like rocks or cabbage? Because there's a hole or fissure at the heart of our being! Or so says the French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre!
Jul 16, 2025 • 14min
Carl Jung, Heidegger, and the California Gold Rush!
Explore the fascinating transformation of gold from a symbol of value to a mere commodity during the California Gold Rush. Delve into the philosophical insights of Carl Jung and Martin Heidegger, who scrutinize the implications of this shift on human existence. Discover Heidegger's critique of modern technology and its impact on how we perceive resources, challenging listeners to seek deeper connections with the world around them.
Jul 11, 2025 • 12min
Star Wars vs. Star Trek - Why Star Trek is better!
Star Wars and Star Trek: Which of these is more philosophically interesting? And which of these two universes would you want to live in? I got my answer!
Jul 7, 2025 • 11min
Byung-Chul Han - Why so many of us feel so empty today!
Han thinks there's a deep existential hollowness lurking beneath the shiny veneer and the noise of modern life. He attributes this to many things about our contemporary society. Find out more!
Jul 4, 2025 • 12min
ASMR - A sensory rebellion against our disembodied age!
Is ASMR just some superficial Youtube phenomenon? Or is there something important and deep behind its popularity? Find out more!
Jul 1, 2025 • 15min
Susan Wolf and Dostoevsky - The Problem with being a Moral Saint!
Exploring the concept of moral saints reveals intriguing dilemmas. Contemporary philosopher Susan Wolf argues that striving for moral perfection can limit personal experiences. Dostoevsky’s characters illustrate the emotional distress tied to the quest for morality, highlighting the dangers of self-proclaimed purity. Camus further critiques the pursuit of absolute justice, suggesting a more nuanced understanding of morality that accepts human flaws. Discovering the rich complexity of human morality is both enlightening and unsettling!
Jun 24, 2025 • 11min
Wisdom as Content, Grifters, and why Socrates wouldn’t have used Patreon!
In our attention-economy wisdom has now become content - ready-made for monetization! Socrates warned against this trend long ago!
