The New Thinkery
The New Thinkery
The New Thinkery is a podcast devoted to political philosophy and its history, along with its many guises in literature, film, and human experience generally. Named after Socrates' infamous "Thinkery" in Aristophanes' Clouds, The New Thinkery strikes a balance between the seriousness of academia and the playfulness of casual conversation among friends.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jun 22, 2022 • 1h 19min
Interview: Dr. Paul Diduch on Technological Moderation
This week, the guys are joined by one of Alex's colleagues: Dr. Paul Diduch. The group discuss whether unfettered technological progress is in fact "progress" and what we, especially in the modern age, ought to think about before we call technology an absolute good for humans and our souls. They focus on some texts from Plato, Aristotle, and Bacon.
Jun 15, 2022 • 1h 14min
Aristotle on Friendship ft. Producer Jake
This week The New Thinkery celebrates its 100th episode! To mark the occasion, the guys invite on Producer Jake to chime in for an analysis of Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, Books 8 and 9, which focus on the nature and types of friendships.
Jun 8, 2022 • 58min
Plutarch's Life of Theseus
This week, the guys dive into another of Plutarch's lives. Unlike some of the other lives Plutarch describes, Theseus' is surrounded by an unusual amount of mythologizing, leaving us to speculate about why he is different from the others.
Jun 1, 2022 • 56min
Nietzsche on Truth and Lies
This week the guys assemble to visit a very short work of Nietzsche's that deals with extra-moral truth and lies. Specifically, the guys analyze whether or not telling the truth is always right from a philosophic perspective, and what that may show us about human nature.
May 25, 2022 • 57min
Aristotle on Slavery
Was Aristotle's view of slavery evil, idiotic, a combination, or something else entirely? The guys sit down to talk about how Aristotle viewed slavery and how that view might look today.
May 18, 2022 • 1h 22min
Interview: Joshua Parens on Leo Strauss on Natural Law
This week, the guys attended a panel where they interviewed Joshua Parens on the peculiar nature of Strauss' views on natural law and the philosopher. The group analyzes Strauss' wisdom-filled writings.
May 11, 2022 • 51min
Winchester 73 | The New Thinkery Ep. 95
This week, the guys take a break from philosophy to visit the Wild West as they analyze the film Winchester 73. Revolving around who gets to own a nearly perfect Winchester rifle, the guys look at the key lessons and plot points.
May 4, 2022 • 49min
The Noble Lie | The New Thinkery Ep. 94
This week, the guys take a look at one of the most memorable concepts from Plato's Republic, that of the noble lie. They analyze the usefulness of noble lies, and whether it should affect the way we view Plato. Plus: your mailbag questions get answered!
Apr 27, 2022 • 57min
Interview: Steve Hayward on Weber's Politics as a Vocation
This week, the guys are joined by author, political commentator, and policy scholar Steven F. Hayward. The group take a look at the underlying themes of Max Weber's Politics as a Vocation, as well as some potential consequences of the line of logic used in the book.
Apr 20, 2022 • 52min
Homer's Iliad, Books 1 and 2 | The New Thinkery Ep. 92
This week, the guys take a trip back to ancient Greece to discuss the first two books of Homer's Iliad. Plus: a cameo appearance from David's son!
