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 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 • 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.
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.
Jun 28, 2024 • 22min
Orwell's 1984 - The abuse of language and history!
George Orwell's 1984 warns against the dangers of a totalitarian society! Take away our language and our history and it's all over! Find out more!
Jun 28, 2024 • 10min
Nietzsche on why art is crucially important for us!
For Nietzsche there's no such thing as art for art's sake! No, art has indispensable practical value for our existence! Find out more!
Jun 14, 2024 • 20min
Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea - Beyond the customary fishing grounds!
Exploring the themes of skill and heroism in Hemingway's Pulitzer Prize novel!
May 22, 2024 • 19min
Socrates - The Man of Mystery!
Socrates influenced many of his contemporaries, but the strange thing is they all went on to develop very different outlooks! What does that say about Socrates? I speculate!
May 6, 2024 • 11min
The Ethics of Lawns!
Why do we cultivate lawns? Should we have them? Let's explore!
