Sadler's Lectures

Explore Martin Luther King Jr.'s perspective on nonviolent resistance as a strategic, methodical approach rather than spontaneous action. Delve into the four vital steps of a nonviolent campaign that include fact-finding and self-purification. Discover King's powerful notion of meeting physical force with 'soul force' to provoke a moral awakening in society. The importance of creating constructive tension is also highlighted, alongside King's critique of the white moderate who resists necessary change.

This lecture discusses key ideas from the 20th century African-American philosopher, theologian, and civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr.'s work "Letter From A Birmingham Jail". This episode examines King's discussion and reinterpretation of the classical distinction between just and unjust laws. To support my ongoing work, go to my Patreon site - www.patreon.com/sadler If you'd like to make a direct contribution, you can do so here - www.paypal.me/ReasonIO - or at BuyMeACoffee - www.buymeacoffee.com/A4quYdWoM You can find over 3500 philosophy videos in my main YouTube channel - www.youtube.com/user/gbisadler You can find the Letter From A Birmingham Jail here - https://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html

This lecture discusses key ideas from the 20th century African-American philosopher, theologian, and civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr.'s work "Letter From A Birmingham Jail" This episode examines King's depiction and analysis of racism and segregation as fundamentally wrong and illegitimate forms of inequality in America To support my ongoing work, go to my Patreon site - www.patreon.com/sadler If you'd like to make a direct contribution, you can do so here - www.paypal.me/ReasonIO - or at BuyMeACoffee - www.buymeacoffee.com/A4quYdWoM You can find over 3500 philosophy videos in my main YouTube channel - www.youtube.com/user/gbisadler You can find the Letter From A Birmingham Jail here - https://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html

This is the recording from my invited talk on philosophical resources for understanding and managing anger, which was part of my alma mater Lakeland University's Thinkhaus talk series, given up at the Mead Public Library in Sheboygan, WI. The original recording from 2017 was made by a local high school AV club, which unfortunately didn't do a great job with sound, lighting, video, or editing, so I didn't release it at the time, but I've subsequently remastered it to improve all of those. In the talk, I discuss how ideas drawn from Plato, Aristotle, and Epictetus can help us to deal productively with the anger that we inevitably encounter or experience. Specifically, from Plato we learn how to identify the sorts of conflicts that are likely to lead to anger, from Aristotle how to assess our own anger responses, and from Epictetus how to shift our feeling of anger into a different feeling by reminding ourselves of why people do things that we take as wrong or offensive.

Explore the intricate world of Aristotelian friendship and discover the three types: utility, pleasure, and the good. Understand how each type shapes our relationships and the challenges in achieving true friendship. Delve into Aristotle's views on virtue and the realistic path to nurturing genuine connections, emphasizing mutual growth and commitment. Insights from thinkers like Cicero, Seneca, and Plutarch add layers to this discussion, revealing timeless wisdom on trust and the essence of true companionship.

Dive into the fascinating world of Aristotelian prohairesis, or moral choice, as explored through multiple layers in Aristotle's works. Discover how this concept ties into deliberation and the complexities that define human responsibility. Learn why Aristotle believed animals and children lack prohairesis and how it connects to virtue and self-control. The interplay between reason and desire reveals the essential nature of practical wisdom, ultimately expanding prohairesis into a rich tapestry of moral understanding.

Dive into the wisdom of Epictetus, exploring the concept of prohairesis as our guiding choice aligned with nature. Discover how this Stoic principle influences our desires, choices, and responses. Learn about historical Stoic insights and specific examples, like familial relationships and the role of rational emotions. Sadler emphasizes the importance of maintaining moral purpose over external factors and surrounding ourselves with friends who share this Stoic ideal.

Grief is a universal response to loss, often tied to deep fear, especially concerning death. Stoicism views grief as a negative emotion, suggesting careful management. Ancient texts by Epictetus and Seneca offer insights on processing grief. While mourning is allowed, Seneca emphasizes moderation and the importance of preserving sweet memories over bitterness. Sadler also stresses acknowledging and addressing unresolved grief through practical steps to ease emotional burdens.

Explore how Stoicism can reshape our behavior in the workplace. A notable case of a worker's firing sparks a discussion on proper Stoic conduct amidst modern challenges. Delve into the four dimensions of work and learn about the significance of truth and justice among colleagues. Understand why expecting others to embrace Stoicism isn't feasible and how to maintain emotional balance in professional settings. Finally, discover when it's essential to stand up against toxic environments while embracing the journey of self-improvement.

Explore the fierce critiques of various socialisms by Marx and Engels in their groundbreaking work. Discover how Marx categorizes these rival movements, from reactionary to critical-utopian socialisms. Delve into the faults of feudal and petty bourgeois responses and how they fall short for the proletariat. Learn about the conservative approach of bourgeois socialists, aiming for reform rather than true change. Finally, see why communists stand out as a party for action, merging immediate worker needs with revolutionary goals.