The New Thinkery

This week, the guys are joined by Dr. Nick Buccola, professor and Elizabeth & Morris Glickman Chair in Political Science at Linfield University to discuss the life and philosophy of Frederick Douglass. The group analyze several key writings of Douglass and how his view of government shifted as he aged. Plus: an overview of Douglass' experience as a public speaker. Shoutout to the Ancient Language Institute for sponsoring!

In this Constitution Day special edition of The New Thinkery, the guys are joined by Dr. Ben Kleinerman, the R.W. Morrison Chair of Political Science at Baylor University and board member of the Jack Miller Center. Together, the group discuss several of the Federalist Papers and what their respective authors thought the U.S. regime need be wary of as it progressed.

In this week's episode of The New Thinkery, the guys are overthrown and replaced by a distinguished, all-female panel of four guests: Lisa Leibowitz, Linda Rabieh, Carly Herold, and Anna Mansfield. The panel discuss Aristophanes' play where, fittingly for the situation the guys find themselves in this week, women are installed as rulers of Athens and start instituting major reforms.

In this edition of The New Thinkery, the guys are joined by Dr. Laurence Cooper of Carleton College. Together, the group discuss Plato's Symposium in TNT's penultimate episode on the subject, this time focusing on Aristophanes' speech on Eros (and Socrates). Shoutout to Davenant Hall for sponsoring!

In this edition of The New Thinkery Alex and Greg visit the Jack Miller Center where they are joined by Professor Steven Smith. The group discuss Michael Oakeshott's famous work, "Political Education". Plus: don't miss out on the quickest response times we've seen yet on lightning round questions! Shoutout to Davenant Hall for sponsoring!

In this week's edition of The New Thinkery, the guys analyze a frequent read of David's: The Death of Ivan Ilyich. A tome by one of the great Russian authors, Leo Tolstoy, the crew have much to discuss as they reflect on the key theme of the book, mortality.

In this week's installment of The New Thinkery, the guys are joined by Dr. Arlene Saxonhouse, Professor of Political Science and Women's Studies and a former chair of the Department of Political Science at the University of Michigan. The group discuss how Plato and Socrates thought of women and their role in greater society. Plus: a brief discussion of Shakespeare's The Tempest. Shoutout to the Ancient Language Institute for supporting the show!

In this edition of The New Thinkery, the guys are joined by Dr. Michael Grenke, a tutor (professor) at St. John's College to discuss Warspeak: Nietzsche's Victory Over Nihilism, a book by Lise Van Boxel. The group analyze key points of Nietzsche's philosophy, the characteristics of a philosopher in Nietzsche's eyes, and the dangers of nihilism. Special thanks to the Ancient Language Institute for supporting the show!

The hosts of The New Thinkery podcast celebrate their one-year anniversary by analyzing Aristophanes' The Clouds, discussing the value of comedy vs. philosophy, the nature of comedy, and the overlap between comedy and philosophy. They also explore the significance of the clouds in Aristophanes' play, question societal norms, and discuss the concept of debt in Athens. Thought-provoking questions about societal perceptions are also addressed.

In this edition of The New Thinkery, the guys return to Plato's Symposium for their penultimate episode on the book. This time around, they continue their discussion of Socrates' Speech on Eros. Plus: the guys have some funny middle school stories to tell. Shoutout to the Ancient Language Institute for supporting the show!