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
Oct 12, 2022 • 9min
Plato on Education and Beauty
In this brief episode, I reflect a bit on Plato's view of education!
Oct 10, 2022 • 25min
Voltaire's Candide - It's not all for the best!
Candide is a satirical novel written by Voltaire, a French writer and philosopher of the Age of Enlightenment. In this episode, we discuss Voltaire's criticism of Leibniz's optimistic theodicy and also what he meant by his famous ending, that "one must cultivate one's garden".
Oct 5, 2022 • 10min
Camus and Nietzsche on Hope
In this brief episode, I talk about Nietzsche and Camus' views on hope!
Oct 2, 2022 • 21min
Rationalism versus Irrationalism
In this episode, we discuss the history of rationalism and irrationalism within philosophy. We also talk about the perils of being overly rational!
Sep 27, 2022 • 11min
Tolstoy's How Much Land Does a Man Need?
In this brief episode, I reflect a bit on Tolstoy's short story How Much Land Does a Man Need? It's pretty topical or relevant for us today!
Sep 23, 2022 • 20min
The Top Philosophy Quotes of All Time! - Epictetus and Camus
In this episode, we discuss the Stoic philosopher Epictetus' quote, "What upsets people is not things themselves, but their judgements about these things", and the French philosopher Camus' quote, "I do not believe in God and I am not an atheist".
Sep 20, 2022 • 21min
Turgenev's Fathers and Sons
Fathers and Sons is a novel written by the Russian writer Ivan Turgenev. It was published in 1862. The story centres around Bazarov—a self-proclaimed nihilist. In this episode, we discuss some of the perils of being a nihilist!
Sep 15, 2022 • 12min
Nietzsche's Three Metamorphoses of the Spirit
In this brief episode, I discuss Nietzsche's Three Metamorphoses of the Spirit as described in his masterpiece Thus Spoke Zarathustra!
Sep 13, 2022 • 23min
Hesse's Siddhartha
Siddhartha is a novel by the German writer Hermann Hesse. The story deals with the spiritual journey of a man named Siddhartha and it takes place during the time of the Buddha. In this episode, we discuss how it is Hesse, through Siddhartha, seems to present a more world-loving Buddhist view than that of traditional Buddhism.
Sep 6, 2022 • 10min
Wall-E and the Soul of Dirt
In this brief episode, I share some thoughts on the 2008 Pixar film, Wall-E!
