

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

Jul 14, 2021 • 1h 29min
Interview: Dr. Joshua Parens on the Philosophy of Maimonides | The New Thinkery Ep. 51
In this edition of The New Thinkery, the guys are joined by Dr. Joshua Parens, Dean of the Braniff Graduate School of Liberal Arts and Professor of Philosophy and Politics, to discuss the philosophy of Maimonides from law to politics.

Jul 7, 2021 • 1h 24min
Interview: Dr. Thomas Cleveland on Minos | The New Thinkery Ep. 50
In this edition of The New Thinkery, Alex and Greg are joined by Dr. Thomas Cleveland, Academics Program Officer for the Jack Miller Center. They discuss the very nature of law using Plato's Minos as a backdrop to delve into the topic. Plus: don't miss an extended series of lightning round questions!

Jun 30, 2021 • 1h 11min
Interview: Dr. Michael P. Zuckert on Abraham Lincoln | The New Thinkery Ep. 49
In this Fourth of July edition of The New Thinkery, the guys are joined by Dr. Michael P. Zuckert, the Nancy R. Dreux Professor of Political Science, Emeritus at the University of Notre Dame. Together, the group discuss both Abraham Lincoln's and Henry Clay's achievements in American politics. Plus: a sneak peek at the forthcoming book A Nation so Conceived: Lincoln & Democratic Sovereignty.

Jun 23, 2021 • 50min
Plutarch on Coriolanus | The New Thinkery Ep. 48
In this episode of The New Thinkery, the guys follow up last week's episode on Alcibiades with Plutarch's paired work on the life of Coriolanus. The guys discuss the similarities and key differences between the two men as Plutarch sees them.

Jun 16, 2021 • 1h 6min
Plutarch on Alcibiades | The New Thinkery Ep. 47
In this edition of The New Thinkery, the guys begin an analysis of Plutarch's Parallel Lives, specifically diving into the life of Alcibiades. The guys discuss Alcibiades' life, philosophy, and why everyone seemed to have great affection for him, even Socrates.

Jun 9, 2021 • 1h 19min
Strauss' Persecution and the Art of Writing | The New Thinkery Ep. 46
In this week's edition of The New Thinkery, the guys dive into the work of Leo Strauss, one of the foremost political philosophy professors of the twentieth century. Strauss was and continues to be so influential that Straussianism is a common phrase in academic circles. So, what exactly is Straussianism?

Jun 2, 2021 • 1h 22min
Interview with Bill Kristol | The New Thinkery Ep. 45
In this edition of The New Thinkery, the guys are joined by William Kristol, founder and editor-at-large of The Weekly Standard and now editor-at-large of The Bulwark. Hear about his upbringing and education, during which he encountered and studied with some of the greats of contemporary political thought, including Allan Bloom and Harvey Mansfield. We also discuss his initiatives to preserve and promote the serious study of political philosophy. Check out Contemporary Thinkers, Great Thinkers, and his podcast Conversations to learn more.

May 26, 2021 • 56min
Conrad's Typhoon | The New Thinkery Ep. 44
In this week's edition of The New Thinkery the guys break away from philosophy to take a deep dive into Joseph Conrad's Typhoon. The group discuss everything from the text's themes to its literary devices. Finally, they close with discussion on why one would read literary works to better understand philosophy.

May 19, 2021 • 1h 2min
Socrates' Speech: Analyzing Plato's Symposium, Part VII | The New Thinkery Ep. 43
In the seventh installment of an ongoing series breaking down Plato's Symposium, the guys begin to dissect Socrates' speech on love, how Socrates attempted to subvert the format of the speeches, and analyze the details surrounding the speeches preceding Socrates.

May 12, 2021 • 1h 7min
Interview: Professor Jeff Sikkenga on Tocqueville | The New Thinkery Ep. 42
In this episode of The New Thinkery, the guys interview Professor Jeff Sikkenga, Executive Director of the Ashbrook Center (Greg's boss) and a professor of political science. Together, the group analyze Tocqueville's view of democracy as a form of government and the nuances in his position.


