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 27, 2025 • 12min
Byung-Chul Han - The Transparency Society
According to Han, we live in a culture of constant self-exposure and exhibition. And, despite what we think, it makes us flat, banal and powerless!
Aug 23, 2025 • 7min
To our Children
Explore how our choices today shape the world of tomorrow. The discussion highlights the power of individual decisions in influencing historical events and societal challenges. Listeners are inspired to acknowledge their role in crafting a better future, urging a sense of justice and responsibility. Join in on this enlightening journey towards becoming intentional architects of change.
Aug 22, 2025 • 14min
Samuel Beckett - "I can't go on. I'll go on."
This is the famous last line in one of Beckett's novels. But it's not just a last line, it's a credo for human existence!
Aug 17, 2025 • 11min
Reclaiming the power of Melancholy!
We treat melancholy as a pathology, something to be cured or eradicated. But we've lost sight of it's real value!
Aug 17, 2025 • 14min
Alexander Nehamas - Platonic Irony!
Socrates doesn't just undermine his interlocutors, Plato undermines us! Or so argues the contemporary philosopher Alexander Nehamas!
Aug 14, 2025 • 11min
The Pathetic Nature of the Sycophant!
They all gushed over Nero, and they're no different today! It's all very embarrassing and sad.
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!
