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
Aug 19
The Gay Science #16 (IV.276-288)
Continuing with The Gay Science, and beginning with book IV, "Sanctus Januarius". Here, we encounter some of the most famous aphorisms: For the New Year, Preparatory Men ("Live Dangerously!") and Excelsior. Exciting times!Episode art: View of Genoa under the Snow - Eugenio Olivar ... Show More
1h 56m
Aug 12
120: Erich Heller, The Disinherited Mind, pt 2 - Burckhardt, Nietzsche & History
The conclusion of our two-parter on Erich Heller, and the conclusion to season five! We discuss Nietzsche's friendship with Jacob Burckhardt, and how Burckhardt's view of history can inform our understanding of Nietzsche's divergence from him. We also consider Goethe's four ages ... Show More
1h 44m
Aug 5
119: Erich Heller, The Disinherited Mind, pt 1 - Goethe, Schiller & The Symbol
Something happened to the human mind around the birth of modernity: the divorce of reality and the symbol. Once unified in eucharist, the symbolic and the real are now separate spheres of the human mind, and while it initially seemed that art and science might benefit by this sep ... Show More
1h 39m
Dec 2019
Episode 70, Plato's Euthyphro: Socrates Accused (Part I - The Dialogue)
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 lead our youth ... Show More
57m 13s
Dec 2019
Episode 70, Plato's Euthyphro: Socrates Accused (Part II - Further Analysis and Discussion)
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 lead our youth ... Show More
45m 9s
Dec 2019
Episode 71, Plato’s Apology: Socrates on Trial (Part I - The Dialogue)
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 with corrupt ... Show More
58m 7s
Dec 2019
Episode 71, Plato’s Apology: Socrates on Trial (Part II - Further Analysis and Discussion)
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 with corrupt ... Show More
37m 29s
Feb 2025
How Did Socrates Become So Wise?
Send us a textIn this lesson, renowned Stoicism writer and philosopher Donald Robertson and Jon Brooks reflect on the unique personality of Socrates and his profound love for humanity. Donald compares Socrates to modern-day creative icons, such as Jimi Hendrix, to illustrate his ... Show More
4m 26s
Nov 2024
Donald Robertson on Socrates, Philosophy, and Modern Self-Help
Send us a textIn this episode, I sit down with Donald Robertson, renowned author, psychotherapist, and expert in ancient philosophy, to dive deep into the life, methods, and lessons of Socrates. Donald brings his unique perspective, blending cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and ... Show More
2h 57m
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