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
Apr 4, 2022 • 9min
Buddhism and Stoicism on Anger
In this brief episode, I discuss how it is Buddhists and Stoics understand anger.
Apr 2, 2022 • 26min
Beckett's Molloy
Molloy is a novel written by the Irish writer Samuel Beckett, published in 1951. It’s the first of a trilogy of novels, the other two being Malone Dies and The Unnamable. In this episode, we discuss the idea of being stuck inside your own mind, and the idea of the mid-life crisis.
Mar 29, 2022 • 10min
Anthropocentrism
In this brief episode, I discuss the nature and the problem of our human-centered outlook.
Mar 26, 2022 • 25min
Zorba the Greek
Zorba the Greek is a novel written by the Cretan author Nikos Kazantzakis and it was first published in 1946. The story is about a young English writer who meets Alexis Zorba, an older Greek man with a passion for life. As their friendship develops, the young writer is gradually transformed. In this episode, we discuss the contemplative life versus the life of action, and the importance of laughter and dance.
Mar 20, 2022 • 11min
Narcissism
In this brief episode, I talk a little about the nature of narcissism through looking at the Greek myth of Narcissus and Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray.
Mar 18, 2022 • 29min
Plato's Republic
Plato is considered to be one of the greatest philosophers in history. In this episode, we take a look at his great dialogue the Republic and discuss the important connection he makes between being a good person and happiness.
Mar 15, 2022 • 8min
Buber and The Tyranny of the IT
In this brief episode, I discuss what Buber calls the I-Thou and I-It attitudes to life.
Mar 14, 2022 • 25min
Ibsen's A Doll's House
A Doll’s House is a play written by the Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. It premiered in 1879. The play has as it central theme something like the fate of being a married woman in a male dominated world. In this episode, we explore Ibsen's feminism and the importance he places on self-realization.
Mar 8, 2022 • 10min
Sartre and the Creation of Value
In this brief episode, I discuss Sartre and his view in Existentialism is a Humanism that values don't come from God but rather that they're created by us.
Mar 6, 2022 • 24min
Hesse's Journey to the East
Journey to the East is a novel written by the German author Herman Hesse, published in 1932. Journey to the East is about a man who becomes a member of what’s known as The League, a branch of which goes on a pilgrimage to "the East" in search of the ultimate Truth. In this episode, we discuss St. Francis of Assisi, Servant Leadership, and what going East really means.
