

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

Dec 23, 2020 • 1h 13min
Dickens' A Christmas Carol | The New Thinkery Ep. 22
In this week's episode of The New Thinkery, the guys discuss the Christmas classic: A Christmas Carol. They go through the book's plot, themes, underlying philosophical points, and talk about the cultural impact the book has had since its publication in the nineteenth century.

Dec 16, 2020 • 1h 2min
Aristotle on Virtue | The New Thinkery Ep. 21
In this week's episode of The New Thinkery, the guys discuss another of Aristotle's works, this time focusing on Aristotle's account of virtue in the second book of the Nicomachean Ethics. Plus: the guys read some of your reviews, and now Alex needs a paternity test?

Dec 9, 2020 • 58min
Winston Churchill on the Modern World | The New Thinkery Ep. 20
In this edition of The New Thinkery, the guys take a look at perhaps the greatest individual of the 20th century: Winston Churchill. Specifically, the guys analyze Churchill's 1931 essay "Mass Effects in Modern Life." The essay poses two core questions. First, whether we can escape mass systems and their effects. Second, whether mass systems are in the interest of the greater good. Tune in to see the guys break it down.

Dec 2, 2020 • 1h 6min
Interview with Professor Robert Faulkner on Francis Bacon | The New Thinkery Ep. 19
In this edition of The New Thinkery, the guys are back from stuffing themselves with turkey last week, and are joined by Dr. Robert Faulkner, a research professor at Boston College focusing on modern political philosophy and American political and legal thought. They expand upon episode sixteen's look at Francis Bacon's works. In addition to a philosophy and history lesson, stick around for the ever-fun lightning round Q&A at the end!

Nov 26, 2020 • 14min
Special Edition: The New Thankery
In this short bonus episode of TNT, Alex, David, and Greg go around the digital table discussing what they're thankful for. Alex also poses lightning round questions. Stick around to hear about Greg's literally smoking truck.

Nov 25, 2020 • 1h 12min
Plutarch's Life of Lycurgus | The New Thinkery Ep. 18
In this edition of The New Thinkery, the guys talk about life in Sparta through the lens of Plutarch's writings on Lycurgus. You might be asking yourself what an ostensible history text is doing on a philosophy podcast. Rest assured, looking at Spartan life raises several philosophical questions.

Nov 18, 2020 • 53min
Analyzing Plato's Symposium, Part III: Pausanias' Speech | The New Thinkery Ep. 17
This week, the guys return to Plato and Socrates. In the third installment of this ongoing series analyzing Plato's Symposium, the guys break down Pausanias' speech. This includes a discussion of ancient Greek pederasty. Plus: stick around until the end for a lightning round Q&A.

Nov 11, 2020 • 55min
Francis Bacon's Great Instauration | The New Thinkery Ep. 16
In this episode of The New Thinkery, the guys tackle Francis Bacon. Specifically, the guys reveal Bacon's idea of who should rule us. Plus: is Bacon Machiavellian?

Nov 4, 2020 • 1h 1min
The Nature of Foundings ft. James Ceaser | The New Thinkery Ep. 15
In this edition of The New Thinkery, the guys are joined by James Ceaser, professor of politics at the University of Virginia. Together, the group discuss the nature of foundings. From ancient Greece on up to the founding of America, there are a few common elements that define a founding, and Professor Ceaser reveals them for you. Plus: stick around until the end for a series of very interesting lightning round Q&A!

Oct 28, 2020 • 1h 12min
Shakespeare's Macbeth | The New Thinkery Ep. 14
Shakespeare's Macbeth is among his most famous plays. it is "read" far and wide in high school classrooms, where the teacher promptly puts students to sleep by making such an interesting play boring. The guys are back this week to set the record straight and talk about Macbeth in a thought-provoking way, highlighting the crucial philosophical underpinnings of the play. Plus: Greg is definitely a witch/warlock, but you didn't hear that from the producer.


