

The Nietzsche Podcast
Untimely Reflections
A podcast about Nietzsche's ideas, his influences, and those he influenced. Philosophy and cultural commentary through a Nietzschean lens.
Support the show at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/untimelyreflections
A few collected essays and thoughts: https://untimely-reflections.blogspot.com/
Support the show at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/untimelyreflections
A few collected essays and thoughts: https://untimely-reflections.blogspot.com/
Episodes
Mentioned books

32 snips
Dec 18, 2023 • 1h 38min
79: Gilles Deleuze, pt. 1: Against the Dialectic
Giles Deleuze, a significant figure in French postmodernism, discusses Nietzsche's philosophy and his critique of dialectics. Topics include Deleuze's interpretation of sense, value & genealogy, active and reactive forces, Nietzsche's typology, the eternal recurrence, and the triumph of reactive forces.

Dec 12, 2023 • 2h 11min
Untimely Reflections #26: Andrei Georgescu (Artiexus) - Seedless Flowers & Materialist Theories of Creativity
Andrei Georgescu, a writer, graphic designer, and podcaster, discusses the public reaction to AI-generated art and challenges the belief that creativity must come from a being with a soul. They explore the 'ugly duckling' theory of art and the dismissal of beautiful works produced by AI. The conversation moves to theories about art as communication, the origins of linguistic communication, and mapping the logical structures of language. They also touch on Nietzsche's perspective on consciousness and the limitations of perception.

17 snips
Dec 5, 2023 • 1h 19min
78: Hegel’s Master-Slave Dialectic
The podcast breaks down Hegel's phenomenology, the dialectic, and his understanding of desire. It explores Hegel's response to Kant's dichotomy and the concept of the thing in itself in Western philosophy. The episode focuses on the master-slave dialectic and the emergence of self-consciousness through encounters. It discusses the dynamics between the master and the slave, the reversal of roles, and the importance of mutual recognition. Overall, the podcast aims to demystify Hegel's complex philosophy.

21 snips
Nov 28, 2023 • 1h 26min
77: Robert Pirsig’s Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
The podcast discusses Robert Pirsig's Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, examining his philosophical ideas on quality, the dichotomy between classical and romantic approaches, and the criticism of science and Aristotelian traditions. It also explores the concept of quality shaping our world, the reevaluation of reality, and the importance of committing to what we care about.

Nov 25, 2023 • 1h 14min
Untimely Reflections #25 - William Kaiser: AI Optimism
William Kaiser, AI enthusiast and expert, discusses language-learning models, artificial general intelligence, writer strikes, and the legitimacy of AI art and writing. Topics also include generative AI's impact on medicine and education, digital recreation of actors in films, connections between AI and Nietzsche, exploring the capabilities of GPT models, AI in education and its potential dangers and benefits, and the potential impact of AI in medicine.

Nov 21, 2023 • 1h 14min
76: Nietzsche’s Apology
This podcast explores Nietzsche's defense of himself and his career, his philosophy of embracing fate and the concept of the overman. It discusses his perspective on truth-seeking and courage, the importance of reevaluating our values, his views on writing and communication, and his emphasis on physiology. Overall, the podcast provides an insightful analysis of Nietzsche's ideas and their impact on various aspects of life.

Nov 14, 2023 • 1h 14min
75: Socrates’ Apology
Delve into Socrates' complex legacy as a martyr and philosopher, and how Nietzsche viewed him. Explore the Athenian prejudice against Socrates, misunderstood as sophistry. Analyze his brilliant defense filled with wisdom and irony, revealing the flawed accusations he faced. Discover the deeper significance of his commitment to virtue amidst societal rejection. Uncover the nuances of bravery and moral insight that define Socrates' Apology and provoke thought on truth and persuasion.

Nov 7, 2023 • 1h 24min
74: Three Metamorphoses of the Spirit (As Seen in the Life of Nietzsche)
Examining Nietzsche's Three Metamorphoses of the Spirit and his struggle with the problem of life. Delving into his family history, childhood disillusionment, and concept of evil. Exploring the metaphorical meaning of the camel, lion, and child. Discussing Nietzsche's rejection of previous belief systems and his revolutionary approach to life. Analyzing the impact of mental health on Nietzsche's ideas and his return to a childlike state. Examining Zarathustra's love for eternity and the misinterpretations of Nietzsche's work.

Oct 31, 2023 • 2h 2min
All Hallow’s Special: Sadegh Hedayat’s The Blind Owl
A Merry All Hallow’s Eve to Ye All! There will be a regular episode this Friday, but I can’t resist the opportunity to release an episode on the day of Halloween. Mynaa and I discuss a Persian novel concerning Nietzschean existential horror! Sadegh Hedayat grew up in the Iran of the Shah, and was influenced by western writers such as Kafka & Hesse. The urban legends surrounding this text in Iran were oft-repeated from parents to children: "Don't read this book; those who read it commit suicide." The Blind Owl is the story of an unnamed narrator who is haunted by an elusive, metaphysical scene that he witnesses by happenstance. The narrative is unreliable, and the recursive loops of his madness are woven into the repetitive phrases and descriptions; the characters are all copies of one another; the events of the novel are, in effect, the same narrative repeated ad nauseum. Central to the plot is the long illness and drug abuse of the narrator, and an endless downward spiral of insanity. Hedayat's writing often reflects existential horror, and could be compared to H.P. Lovecraft. Mynaa even suggested that certain passages resemble those in Ecce Homo. We do a review with minimal spoilers for the first fifteen minutes or so, then what follows is a very spoilery review where we analyze, speculate, and ramble about the imagery of this mysterious novel.

Oct 24, 2023 • 1h 15min
73: The Power to Forget
The podcast explores Nietzsche's views on consciousness, memory, and forgetfulness. It challenges the assumption that philosophers' conclusions are universally applicable. It discusses the capacity of humans to perceive and remember sense impressions, contrasting with animals. It explores the power and creative force of forgetfulness. It examines Nietzsche's view on the paradoxical task of nature and the influence of power structures on morality and consciousness. It delves into self-awareness, Christianity, and revenge. It highlights the interplay between forgetting and remembering in relation to happiness.