The Panpsycast Philosophy Podcast

Rutger Bregman, a historian and author of 'Utopia for Realists', shares his visionary ideas on work and welfare. He proposes a fifteen-hour work week and universal basic income, arguing for a more optimistic view of human nature. Bregman challenges societal beliefs about poverty and borders, advocating for open borders to reduce inequality. He critiques current welfare systems and emphasizes that our historical understanding can lead to meaningful progress. His insights prompt listeners to rethink the status quo and consider a more equitable future.

Published in 1915, Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis is a gruelling and ironic depiction of the pressures imposed by family and profession in the Twentieth Century. The novella centres around travelling salesman Gregor Samsa who, one morning, finds himself transformed into an insect. What follows, depending on the interpretation, is a reflection of how modern life provides a misunderstanding of predicament and a lack of empathy towards those who have been beaten down by an unforgiving capitalist system. Equally, The Metamorphosis asks questions of Gregor himself. Over time he has continued to disregard his own well-being and autonomy, seeing himself as the saviour of his family's debts. Yet, by doing so, he has missed the fact that his family appear to resent the house he has chosen to rent, or that their debts are not quite as bad as they seemed. He has taken a cross which he need not have beared. In the words of Vladimir Nabokov, "In The Metamorphosis, contract and unity, style and matter, manner and plot are most perfectly integrated". Contents Part I. The Life of Franz Kafka. Part II. The Plot. Part III. The Meaning. Part IV. Further Analysis and Discussion.

Published in 1915, Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis is a gruelling and ironic depiction of the pressures imposed by family and profession in the Twentieth Century. The novella centres around travelling salesman Gregor Samsa who, one morning, finds himself transformed into an insect. What follows, depending on the interpretation, is a reflection of how modern life provides a misunderstanding of predicament and a lack of empathy towards those who have been beaten down by an unforgiving capitalist system. Equally, The Metamorphosis asks questions of Gregor himself. Over time he has continued to disregard his own well-being and autonomy, seeing himself as the saviour of his family's debts. Yet, by doing so, he has missed the fact that his family appear to resent the house he has chosen to rent, or that their debts are not quite as bad as they seemed. He has taken a cross which he need not have beared. In the words of Vladimir Nabokov, "In The Metamorphosis, contract and unity, style and matter, manner and plot are most perfectly integrated". Contents Part I. The Life of Franz Kafka. Part II. The Plot. Part III. The Meaning. Part IV. Further Analysis and Discussion.

Published in 1915, Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis is a gruelling and ironic depiction of the pressures imposed by family and profession in the Twentieth Century. The novella centres around travelling salesman Gregor Samsa who, one morning, finds himself transformed into an insect. What follows, depending on the interpretation, is a reflection of how modern life provides a misunderstanding of predicament and a lack of empathy towards those who have been beaten down by an unforgiving capitalist system. Equally, The Metamorphosis asks questions of Gregor himself. Over time he has continued to disregard his own well-being and autonomy, seeing himself as the saviour of his family's debts. Yet, by doing so, he has missed the fact that his family appear to resent the house he has chosen to rent, or that their debts are not quite as bad as they seemed. He has taken a cross which he need not have beared. In the words of Vladimir Nabokov, "In The Metamorphosis, contract and unity, style and matter, manner and plot are most perfectly integrated". Contents Part I. The Life of Franz Kafka. Part II. The Plot. Part III. The Meaning. Part IV. Further Analysis and Discussion.

Published in 1915, Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis is a gruelling and ironic depiction of the pressures imposed by family and profession in the Twentieth Century. The novella centres around traveling salesman Gregor Samsa who, one morning, finds himself transformed into an insect. What follows, depending on the interpretation, is a reflection of how modern life provides a misunderstanding of predicament and a lack of empathy towards those who have been beaten down by an unforgiving capitalist system. Equally, The Metamorphosis asks questions of Gregor himself. Over time he has continued to disregard his own well-being and autonomy, seeing himself as the saviour of his family's debts. Yet, by doing so, he has missed the fact that his family appear to resent the house he has chosen to rent, or that their debts are not quite as bad as they seemed. He has taken a cross which he need not have beared. In the words of Vladimir Nabokov, "In The Metamorphosis, contract and unity, style and matter, manner and plot are most perfectly integrated". Contents Part I. The Life of Franz Kafka. Part II. The Plot. Part III. The Meaning. Part IV. Further Analysis and Discussion.

Currently Visiting Professor of Science and Religion at Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York, Robert Wright's work in journalism, psychology and philosophy has been deeply influential. Robert is the author of many best-selling books including 'The Moral Animal: Why We Are the Way We Are: The New Science of Evolutionary Psychology', 'Nonzero: The Logic of Human Destiny', 'The Evolution of God', and most recently, 'Why Buddhism is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment'. Our focus for this episode is Robert Wright's latest book, Why Buddhism is True. In a word, Wright defends the Buddhist view that 'the reason we suffer is because we don't see the world clearly'. The reason we don't see the world clearly, says Buddhism, is because our perception of our own minds and 'the outside world' is impaired by illusions. Viewing Buddhism through the lens of evolutionary psychology, Wright argues that we have good reason to think that this Buddhist claim (that suffering is caused by illusion) is true, and that Buddhism also holds the answer to how we can alleviate ourselves from illusion and suffering. Part I. Why Buddhism is True. Part II. Further Analysis and Discussion.

Currently Visiting Professor of Science and Religion at Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York, Robert Wright's work in journalism, psychology and philosophy has been deeply influential. Robert is the author of many best-selling books including 'The Moral Animal: Why We Are the Way We Are: The New Science of Evolutionary Psychology', 'Nonzero: The Logic of Human Destiny', 'The Evolution of God', and most recently, 'Why Buddhism is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment'. Our focus for this episode is Robert Wright's latest book, Why Buddhism is True. In a word, Wright defends the Buddhist view that 'the reason we suffer is because we don't see the world clearly'. The reason we don't see the world clearly, says Buddhism, is because our perception of our own minds and 'the outside world' is impaired by illusions. Viewing Buddhism through the lens of evolutionary psychology, Wright argues that we have good reason to think that this Buddhist claim (that suffering is caused by illusion) is true, and that Buddhism also holds the answer to how we can alleviate ourselves from illusion and suffering. Part I. Why Buddhism is True. Part II. Further Analysis and Discussion.

Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900), a man who suffered greatly from bodily ills, considered himself somewhat of a physician. Yet, his remedies were not aimed towards physical conditions of the body, but rather the personal and societal ills of his time. Nietzsche, often poetically and rhetorically, dissected what he perceived to be the root of the suffering or apathy many of his contemporaries were facing. His diagnosis focussed primarily on the human tendency to deny life. Life denying, for Nietzsche, came in many ways: the asceticism of the Buddha or Arthur Schopenhauer, the herd-like mentality of what Nietzsche called "the Last Man", and most famously – the otherworldly illusions of Christianity. To him, these were all attempts to cower in the face of an objectively indifferent reality. Nietzsche's prognosis? To stand in the face of this indifference and shout yes! To affirm life and strive for personal excellence. How he envisioned this is subject to much scholarly debate but Nietzsche provides certain clear themes over his prolific authorship. His masterwork Thus Spoke Zarathustra suggests we should look forward to the "Ubermensch" or "Superman", a spiritually healthier individual who approaches the world in an honest and fearless way. Similarly, continuing his claim from The Gay Science, Thus Spoke Zarathustra also reminds the reader that "God is dead". Nietzsche wanted people to recognise the void in values left by God's absence and the responsibility we have been given to create our own meaning. Nietzsche's legacy is an interesting one. Thus Spoke Zarathustra, along with the Bible, ironically, were given to German soldiers during the First World War. He also, after his death, was accused of being a proto-Nazi due to his sister's influence over his final posthumous works. Nietzsche's thoughts on his own works are remarkable in their irony and grandiosity. He hoped his messages would strike a chord with people and force them to look deep into their own intentions and actions. He also hoped they would provide a basis for personal change. A passage from Ecce Homo gives us an insight into his style and desired effect: "I know my fate. One day my name will be associated with the memory of something tremendous — a crisis without equal on earth, the most profound collision of conscience, a decision that was conjured up against everything that had been believed, demanded, hallowed so far. I am no man, I am dynamite."

Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900), a man who suffered greatly from bodily ills, considered himself somewhat of a physician. Yet, his remedies were not aimed towards physical conditions of the body, but rather the personal and societal ills of his time. Nietzsche, often poetically and rhetorically, dissected what he perceived to be the root of the suffering or apathy many of his contemporaries were facing. His diagnosis focussed primarily on the human tendency to deny life. Life denying, for Nietzsche, came in many ways: the asceticism of the Buddha or Arthur Schopenhauer, the herd-like mentality of what Nietzsche called "the Last Man", and most famously – the otherworldly illusions of Christianity. To him, these were all attempts to cower in the face of an objectively indifferent reality. Nietzsche's prognosis? To stand in the face of this indifference and shout yes! To affirm life and strive for personal excellence. How he envisioned this is subject to much scholarly debate but Nietzsche provides certain clear themes over his prolific authorship. His masterwork Thus Spoke Zarathustra suggests we should look forward to the "Ubermensch" or "Superman", a spiritually healthier individual who approaches the world in an honest and fearless way. Similarly, continuing his claim from The Gay Science, Thus Spoke Zarathustra also reminds the reader that "God is dead". Nietzsche wanted people to recognise the void in values left by God's absence and the responsibility we have been given to create our own meaning. Nietzsche's legacy is an interesting one. Thus Spoke Zarathustra, along with the Bible, ironically, were given to German soldiers during the First World War. He also, after his death, was accused of being a proto-Nazi due to his sister's influence over his final posthumous works. Nietzsche's thoughts on his own works are remarkable in their irony and grandiosity. He hoped his messages would strike a chord with people and force them to look deep into their own intentions and actions. He also hoped they would provide a basis for personal change. A passage from Ecce Homo gives us an insight into his style and desired effect: "I know my fate. One day my name will be associated with the memory of something tremendous — a crisis without equal on earth, the most profound collision of conscience, a decision that was conjured up against everything that had been believed, demanded, hallowed so far. I am no man, I am dynamite."

Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900), a man who suffered greatly from bodily ills, considered himself somewhat of a physician. Yet, his remedies were not aimed towards physical conditions of the body, but rather the personal and societal ills of his time. Nietzsche, often poetically and rhetorically, dissected what he perceived to be the root of the suffering or apathy many of his contemporaries were facing. His diagnosis focussed primarily on the human tendency to deny life. Life denying, for Nietzsche, came in many ways: the asceticism of the Buddha or Arthur Schopenhauer, the herd-like mentality of what Nietzsche called "the Last Man", and most famously – the otherworldly illusions of Christianity. To him, these were all attempts to cower in the face of an objectively indifferent reality. Nietzsche's prognosis? To stand in the face of this indifference and shout yes! To affirm life and strive for personal excellence. How he envisioned this is subject to much scholarly debate but Nietzsche provides certain clear themes over his prolific authorship. His masterwork Thus Spoke Zarathustra suggests we should look forward to the "Ubermensch" or "Superman", a spiritually healthier individual who approaches the world in an honest and fearless way. Similarly, continuing his claim from The Gay Science, Thus Spoke Zarathustra also reminds the reader that "God is dead". Nietzsche wanted people to recognise the void in values left by God's absence and the responsibility we have been given to create our own meaning. Nietzsche's legacy is an interesting one. Thus Spoke Zarathustra, along with the Bible, ironically, were given to German soldiers during the First World War. He also, after his death, was accused of being a proto-Nazi due to his sister's influence over his final posthumous works. Nietzsche's thoughts on his own works are remarkable in their irony and grandiosity. He hoped his messages would strike a chord with people and force them to look deep into their own intentions and actions. He also hoped they would provide a basis for personal change. A passage from Ecce Homo gives us an insight into his style and desired effect: "I know my fate. One day my name will be associated with the memory of something tremendous — a crisis without equal on earth, the most profound collision of conscience, a decision that was conjured up against everything that had been believed, demanded, hallowed so far. I am no man, I am dynamite."