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
Sep 8, 2024 • 17min
The Presocratic philosophers - From myth to matter!
The Presocratics, the first philosophers and scientists, rejected traditional mythological explanations in favour of rational ones! Huge turning point! Find out more!
Sep 2, 2024 • 19min
The THREE most important things I learned from graduate school!
Graduate school instills vital life skills like discipline and the joy of writing for its own sake. Daily writing practices cultivate consistent growth and fulfillment. There's also a compelling discussion on the importance of embracing the present, shifting focus from external accolades to finding intrinsic value in daily experiences. By altering our perspectives, we can transform ordinary moments into profound insights.
Aug 29, 2024 • 14min
Kierkegaard's The Present Age - Why Kierkegaard would have HATED the internet!
What would Kierkegaard have thought of our age of the internet? The philosopher Herbert Dreyfus argues that he'd be no fan, to say the least! Find out more!
Aug 23, 2024 • 16min
Socrates - The Hemlock Controversy!
Did Socrates really die the way Plato describes it? And Socrates may have been a philosophical martyr but did he give much consideration to his FAMILY when he decided to take his life? Important questions!
Aug 23, 2024 • 12min
Karl Jaspers - Boundary situations and Transcendence!
The philosopher Karl Jaspers argues that we only truly self-realize when we learn to confront the inevitable hardships of life properly! Find out more!
Aug 13, 2024 • 23min
Callicles versus Socrates - On sound and leaky barrels!
Apart from Socrates, Callicles is Plato's most formidable character. And he doesn't hold back! He thinks happiness is all about the full throttle pursuit of desires! Is he right? Has Socrates finally met his match? Find out more!
Aug 4, 2024 • 21min
Byung-Chul Han's The Crisis of Narration - Why information is not enough!
There's a crisis of narration today, Han argues. Instead of narrative, we have information. And, unlike narrative, information can't give us any direction or meaning! We need to bring back narrative!
Jul 13, 2024 • 32min
Love's Resurgence - Part 3 - Love as an Activity!
This is Part 3 of a 3 Part series on love! It should be listened to in sequence! In it, I explore the state of love today and what, if anything, we might learn from some of the great writers, poets and philosophers who take love very seriously.
Jul 12, 2024 • 50min
Love's Resurgence - Part 2 - Love as Expansion!
This is Part 2 of a 3 Part series on love! It should be listened to in sequence! In it, I explore the state of love today and what, if anything, we might learn from some of the great writers, poets and philosophers who take love very seriously.
Jul 12, 2024 • 53min
Love's Resurgence - Part 1 - The Fall of Eros!
This is Part 1 of a 3 Part series on love! It should be listened to in sequence! In it, I explore the state of love today and what, if anything, we might learn from some of the great writers, poets and philosophers who take love very seriously.
