Socrates was a famous opponent of the Sophists, the teachers of rhetoric instead of truth - and yet, in his legal defense, he employs the techniques of rhetoric and displays a mastery of oratory. In a society that distrusted irony and regarded it as a form of dishonesty, Socrates uses the art of persuasion in a manner that is anti-persuasive: a brilliant iro ... Show More
Jan 20
130: Daemonic, part 1 - Ancient Spirits & The Pantheism Controversy
Part one of three. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe often spoke of a dangerous but invigorating life-force that he christened "the daemonic". In his conversations with Eckermann, and in his autobiography Dichtung und Wahrheit, he describes the daemonic by direct reference to Spinoza, a ... Show More
1h 19m
Jan 13
129: Ge Ling Shang - Liberation as Affirmation
Today we're considering Ge Ling Shang's book, Liberation as Affirmation, comparing Zhuangzi and Nietzsche. Shang sees both thinkers as putting forward a "religiosity" of life-affirmation. Major points of comparison: use of language (goblet words/zhiyan & Dionysian dithyramb), whe ... Show More
1h 31m
Jan 6
128: Zhuangzi - Free & Easy Wandering
Exploring the indeterminate nature of truth in the Zhuangzi, the usefulness of uselessness, the foolishness of seeking office, and the advantages of xiaoyaoyou. Mixing translations from Watson, Palmer, Giles & informed by readings/commentary from Ziporyn, Ge Ling Shang & Wing Tsi ... Show More
1h 48m
Dec 2019
Episode 70, Plato's Euthyphro: Socrates Accused (Part I - The Dialogue)
<p class="">Did you hear the news of Socrates? He's finally to answer for his sophistry! At last, the great lampooning, moral gadfly is to stand before the Court of Athens and answer for his crimes. To think, one could have the audacity to trade in talentless talk and lies, to le ... Show More
57m 13s
Dec 2019
Episode 70, Plato's Euthyphro: Socrates Accused (Part II - Further Analysis and Discussion)
<p class="">Did you hear the news of Socrates? He's finally to answer for his sophistry! At last, the great lampooning, moral gadfly is to stand before the Court of Athens and answer for his crimes. To think, one could have the audacity to trade in talentless talk and lies, to le ... Show More
45m 9s
Dec 2019
Episode 71, Plato's Apology: Socrates on Trial (Part I - The Dialogue)
<p class="">Gentleman of our most prestigious Court of Athens, may I praise your patience and diligence in the presentation of the prosecution. I, Meletus stand before you unequivocally convinced that the criminal is guilty as charged. The hideous, snub-nosed Socrates is charged ... Show More
58m 7s
Dec 2019
Episode 71, Plato's Apology: Socrates on Trial (Part II - Further Analysis and Discussion)
<p class="">Gentleman of our most prestigious Court of Athens, may I praise your patience and diligence in the presentation of the prosecution. I, Meletus stand before you unequivocally convinced that the criminal is guilty as charged. The hideous, snub-nosed Socrates is charged ... Show More
37m 29s
Aug 2019
EPISODE 53 Diogenes: The Punk Rocker of Ancient Greece
“A Socrates gone mad.” — Plato referring to Diogenes “Had I not been Alexander, I would have liked to have been Diogenes.” — Alexander the Great "If I wasn't Diogenes, I would be wishing to be Diogenes too." — Diogenes“There are nowadays professors of philosophy, but not philosop ... Show More
1h 47m
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1882875/open_sms">Send us a text</a></p><p>In this episode, I sit down with <b>Donald Robertson</b>, renowned author, psychotherapist, and expert in ancient philosophy, to dive deep into the life, methods ... Show More
