Episode #219 … Dostoevsky - Crime and Punishment
Episode #219 … Dostoevsky - Crime and Punishment
Today we talk about the philosophical themes that Dostoevsky had in mind when writing Crime and Punishment. We talk about Russian Nihilism and it's consequences. Rational Utilitarianism and Egoism. A common misunderstanding of Raskolnikov as an embodiment of Nietzsche's work. Confession. Guilt. Affirming life through consent. And much more. Hope you love it! :)
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Episode #218 … Dostoevsky - Notes From Underground
Episode #218 … Dostoevsky - Notes From Underground
Today we talk about the philosophical themes of one of Dostoevsky's most famous books: Notes From Underground. We talk about contemplative inertia, the "stone wall" of rationality, utopian socialism, the tension between love and freedom in the modern world, self-loathing as a defense mechanism, and much more. Hope you enjoy it. :)
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Episode #217 … Religion and Nothingness - Kyoto School pt. 2 - Nishitani
Episode #217 … Religion and Nothingness - Kyoto School pt. 2 - Nishitani
Today we look at more of the work of Keiji Nishitani. We examine the conversation surrounding his book Religion and Nothingness. Hope you enjoy it! :)
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Episode #216 … The Self-Overcoming of Nihilism - Kyoto School pt. 1 - Nishitani
Episode #216 … The Self-Overcoming of Nihilism - Kyoto School pt. 1 - Nishitani
Today we look at the work of Keiji Nishitani. We examine Nihilism in a deeper way than we've ever covered on the podcast before. We talk about The Great Doubt. Zen Buddhism. Sunyata. The self as similar to structural linguistics. Hope you enjoy it! :)
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Episode #215 … How Mysticism is missing from our modern lives. (Critchley, Heidegger)
Episode #215 … How Mysticism is missing from our modern lives. (Critchley, Heidegger)
Today we talk about the tradition of Mysticism in the western world via the book by Simon Critchley.
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Episode #214 - Framing our Being in a completely different way. (Heidegger)
Episode #214 - Framing our Being in a completely different way. (Heidegger)
Today we talk about Heidegger’s critique of solely framing reality in terms of subjects/objects. We explore the concept of Dasein. How traditional problems in philosophy dissolve if Heidegger is successful— free will vs determinism, moral nihilism at the level of the universe, etc. Hope you love it!
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Episode #213 - Deleuze interprets Nietzsche (Difference, Joy, Affirmation)
Episode #213 - Deleuze Interprets Nietzsche (Difference, Joy, Affirmation)
Today we talk about Deleuze's interpretation of Nietzsche's work. We talk about difference taken to radical new levels. The image of thought from the history of philosophy. Nietzsche framed as the enemy to the dialectic. Active vs Reactive forces. Deleuze's thoughts on art as a vehicle for the creation of the new instead of our typical approach via acquiring more information. Hope you love it! Be well. :)
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Episode #212 - Nietzsche and Critchley on the tragic perspective.
Episode #212 - Nietzsche and Critchley on the tragic perspective.
Today we begin by talking about Nietzsche's concept of life-affirmation. Contrasting it with the renunciative, rational traditions of Western thought. The episode then delves into Greek tragedy through the lens of Simon Critchley's work; making a case for how these ancient plays offer a life-affirming perspective by embracing the ambiguity of human existence.
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Episode #211 - Nietzsche returns with a hammer!
Episode #211 - Nietzsche returns with a hammer!
Today we talk about Nietzsche's views on the decay of western society. We talk about his problems with Socrates. The genealogy of Egalitarianism that has led to our modern societies, and how to contextualize his concept of the Ubermensch within modern culture. Hope you enjoy it! :)
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Episode #210 - The Pedagogy of the Oppressed (Paulo Freire, Education)
Episode #210 - The Pedagogy of the Oppressed (Paulo Freire, Education)
We talk about Paulo Freire's Pedagogy of the Oppressed. His critique of the banking model of education. The importance of critical consciousness. His Existentialist influence. The dialectic between oppression and liberation. The problem-posing model of education. The role of dialogue in learning and the co-creation of knowledge. Marx's influence on Freire. The flexibility of Freire’s pedagogy. And some responses to critics of Freire.
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Episode #209 - Improving our world through applied ethics. (Peter Singer, Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek)
Episode #209 - Improving our world through applied ethics. (Peter Singer, Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek)
Today we talk about Peter Singer’s response to an anticapitalist critique of his work. Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek’s thoughts on different approaches to morality and some pitfalls to avoid. We talk about creative activism and philosophy being more prevalent in school and in public spaces.
This episode features a thoughtful conversation with philosophers Peter Singer and Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek about how to make moral progress within the system we have. Instead of calling for a revolution, they focus on practical ways to reduce suffering using tools already available. They respond to critiques of capitalism by acknowledging its flaws while highlighting real global progress. The episode encourages a more flexible, personal approach to ethics—not as picking sides, but as understanding how different moral ideas work in different situations. It also explores creative activism, the importance of moral education, and how movements like Effective Altruism show what’s possible when people stay engaged.
Further Reading:
The Most Good You Can Do – Peter Singer (2015)
The Expanding Circle: Ethics, Evolution, and Moral Progress – Peter Singer (1981; 2nd ed. 2011)
Utilitarianism: A Very Short Introduction – Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek & Peter Singer (2017)
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Episode #208 - The moral evolution of a philosopher. (Peter Singer)
Episode #208 - The moral evolution of a philosopher. (Peter Singer)
We talk about Emotivism. R.M. Hare's Prescriptivism. Nozick's Experience Machine. Some thought experiments from Derek Parfit. Henry Sidgwick and Objectivist Hedonistic Utilitarianism.
This episode traces the moral evolution of philosopher Peter Singer, showing how his ethical beliefs have changed over decades of thought and debate. Beginning as an emotivist hedonistic utilitarian who believed morality was based on feelings and subjective preferences, Singer gradually shifted toward a more rationalist and objective approach. Influenced by thinkers like R.M. Hare and Derek Parfit, he moved from emotivism to prescriptivism, then ultimately to moral objectivism, where he now sees certain ethical truths—like the undesirability of suffering—as self-evident through reason alone. Along the way, Singer challenged and refined his views on utilitarianism, shifting from maximizing pleasure to satisfying preferences, and finally returning to a refined form of hedonistic utilitarianism inspired by Henry Sidgwick. His journey reflects a lifelong commitment to clarity, logical consistency, and ethical progress grounded in reflection, rationality, and compassion for all sentient life.
Further Reading:
The Expanding Circle: Ethics, Evolution, and Moral Progress – Peter Singer (1981)
The Point of View of the Universe: Sidgwick and Contemporary Ethics – Peter Singer & Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek (2014)
Ethics in the Real World: 82 Brief Essays on Things That Matter – Peter Singer (2016)
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Episode #207 - Fear is toxic to a democracy. (Martha Nussbaum)
Episode #207 - Fear is toxic to a democracy. (Martha Nussbaum)
This episode explores the ideas of philosopher Martha Nussbaum, focusing on her argument that emotions—especially fear—play a central role in how democracies succeed or fail. Nussbaum challenges the traditional view that emotions are irrational and instead sees them as important tools for understanding what people value. She compares emotions like shame and guilt to show how our responses reflect different attitudes toward others and society. The core of her message is that fear, when left unexamined, can damage the trust and cooperation needed in a democracy, especially when media and politicians use it to manipulate people. Instead of fear, she believes we should cultivate hope—an active, thoughtful hope that pushes us toward practical solutions, deeper civic engagement, and meaningful conversations with one another.
Further Reading:
The Emotional Life of Populism, Eva Illouz & Avital Sicron (2023)
Anger, Fear, Domination, William A. Galston (2025)
The Geopolitics of Emotion, Dominique Moïsi (2009)
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Episode #206 - Capitalism is dead. This is Technofeudalism. (Yanis Varoufakis)
Episode #206 - Capitalism is dead. This is Technofeudalism. (Yanis Varoufakis)
This episode explores economist Yanis Varoufakis’s argument that capitalism, as we’ve known it, is already over—and we’re now living in what he calls “technofeudalism.” Unlike capitalism, which is based on markets and profit, this new system centers on digital platforms controlled by a few powerful tech companies that charge rent-like fees and use algorithms to shape behavior. Varoufakis compares this structure to medieval feudalism, where landowners held power, but today it’s data and behavior that are controlled. The episode traces how the 2008 financial crisis and massive money printing helped create this system, where ownership and control are increasingly concentrated. It also explores how this shift impacts everyday life, from economic inequality to political division, and offers ideas for moving forward—like regulating tech differently, exploring shared ownership models, and rethinking our relationship with digital platforms to make them more democratic.
Further Reading:
Technofeudalism: What Killed Capitalism by Yanis Varoufakis (2024)
The Age of Surveillance Capitalism by Shoshana Zuboff (2019)
Chokepoint Capitalism by Rebecca Giblin and Cory Doctorow (2022)
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Episode #205 - Why a meritocracy is corrosive to society. (Michael Sandel)
Episode #205 - Why a meritocracy is corrosive to society. (Michael Sandel)
This episode explores Michael Sandel’s critique of meritocracy—the idea that success should go to the most talented and hardworking people. While this sounds fair, Sandel argues that it often leads to unintended consequences. Many people who succeed believe they fully earned it, while those who struggle are seen as personally to blame, even though larger forces like history, economics, and luck play a major role. This way of thinking, Sandel says, damages social bonds and creates resentment, especially when people feel overlooked despite doing everything society told them to do. He traces the roots of this mindset to old religious debates about salvation and argues that it leads to too much pride and not enough humility. Sandel calls for a shift in how we define value in society, emphasizing dignity for all kinds of work—not just jobs that require college degrees. He believes a healthier democracy requires more respect, civic responsibility, and policies that focus on the common good instead of just rewarding personal achievement.
Further Reading:
The Tyranny of Merit, Michael J. Sandel (2020)
The Meritocracy Trap, Daniel Markovits (2019)
The Tyranny of the Meritocracy, Lani Guinier (2015)
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Episode #204 - The importance of philosophy, justice and the common good. (Michael Sandel)
Episode #204 - The importance of philosophy, justice and the common good. (Michael Sandel)
This episode explores how philosopher Michael Sandel offers a different way of improving society without having to tear down capitalism entirely. Instead of only focusing on policies or economics, he urges us to rethink how we understand justice and what it means to live well together. Through his book Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do?, Sandel breaks down three major ways of thinking about justice—utilitarianism, libertarianism, and virtue ethics—showing how each has strengths but also serious flaws. Most importantly, Sandel believes we’ve lost sight of the civic conversations that help shape a fair society. He argues that when market logic replaces social values, it weakens public life and erodes our ability to aim for a common good. The episode makes the case that justice isn’t just about rules or rights, but about the kind of citizens we become and the kinds of conversations we’re willing to have.
Further Reading:
Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do? by Michael J. Sandel (2009)
The Tyranny of Merit: What's Become of the Common Good? by Michael J. Sandel (2020)
What Money Can't Buy: The Moral Limits of Markets by Michael J. Sandel (2012)
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Episode #203 - Why the future is being slowly cancelled. - Postmodernism (Mark Fisher, Capitalist Realism)
Episode #203 - Why the future is being slowly cancelled. - Postmodernism (Mark Fisher, Capitalist Realism)
This episode expands on the ideas of neoliberalism and postmodernism by exploring how their combination creates a culture stuck in the present, where people struggle to imagine a different future. Mark Fisher argues that postmodern values like moral relativism and skepticism toward grand narratives have eroded our ability to declare shared truths or build unifying cultural movements. This confusion, paired with a capitalist system that turns everything—including art, memory, and politics—into tools for profit, leads to a society haunted by recycled ideas and failed dreams. Art, music, and even revolutionary politics become nostalgic remixes rather than forward-thinking creations. The result is a widespread sense of disconnection and what Fisher calls “the slow cancellation of the future.” He proposes a path out through what he called Acid Communism—a reinvigoration of consciousness that draws from feminism, socialism, and psychedelic culture to help people rediscover the parts of life that capitalist realism has forced us to forget.
Further Reading:
Postcapitalist Desire: The Final Lectures by Mark Fisher (2021)
Postcapitalism: A Guide to Our Future by Paul Mason (2015)
Against the Terror of Neoliberalism: Politics Beyond the Age of Greed by Henry A. Giroux (2008)
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Episode #202 - Why we can’t think beyond Capitalism. (Mark Fisher, Capitalist Realism)
Episode #202 - Why we can’t think beyond Capitalism. (Mark Fisher, Capitalist Realism)
This episode introduces the concept of Capitalist Realism as developed by Mark Fisher, describing a widespread feeling that it's easier to imagine the end of the world than the end of capitalism. It explores how neoliberalism, with its focus on individualism, competition, and limited government, became the dominant system by absorbing people’s desire for change and repackaging it as personal ambition. The episode argues that this framework not only shapes how people think and live but also hides its failures by blaming individuals for systemic issues, including mental health struggles. Fisher suggests that this mindset prevents solidarity and deeper political change, not through conspiracy, but through the way society is structured to make alternatives feel unimaginable.
Further Reading
Capitalist Realism: Is There No Alternative? by Mark Fisher (2009)
Understanding Mental Distress: Knowledge, Practice and Neoliberal Reform by Rich Moth (2022)
The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism by Naomi Klein (2007)
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Episode #201 - Resistance, Love and the importance of Failure. (Zizek, Han)
Episode #201 - Resistance, Love, and the importance of Failure. (Zizek, Byung Chul Han)
This episode explores Slavoj Žižek’s idea that in a world where grand narratives have lost their power, most people fall into one of three paths: burnout and escapism, obsessive careerism, or trying to revive old traditions to find meaning. But Žižek hints at a fourth option—one where people deeply engage with something they truly care about, not to achieve it perfectly, but to fail at it meaningfully and continuously. Through examples like falling in love or pursuing a passion, he shows how real freedom comes from resisting surface-level, commodified experiences and instead embracing deeper, more transformative efforts. Žižek connects this to surplus enjoyment—how people often find meaning not in achieving goals but in the struggle itself, which can be exploited by society. Ultimately, he encourages listeners to take control of their desires, engage deeply with what matters to them, and live in ways that challenge the shallow structures of consumer life.
Further Reading:
Surplus-Enjoyment: A Guide for the Non-Perplexed, Slavoj Žižek (2022)
The Burnout Society, Byung-Chul Han (2015)
Man’s Search for Meaning, Viktor E. Frankl (2006)
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Episode #200 - The Postmodern subject and “ideology without ideology” (Zizek, Byung Chul Han)
Episode #200 - The Postmodern subject and “ideology without ideology”. (Zizek, Byung Chul Han)
This episode examines Slavoj Žižek’s critique of how modern culture turns wisdom into a shallow, marketable product that discourages people from engaging with the real complexity of the world. He argues that phrases passed off as “wise” are often just performances, easily reversed or repackaged without offering deeper understanding. Žižek connects this to a broader problem in postmodern thinking, where people claim to reject fixed identities and grand narratives, yet unknowingly recreate new universals under the guise of fluidity and freedom. He shows how surface-level experiences—like moderation, political correctness, or performative activism—replace real engagement, creating a sense of freedom and moral superiority that masks ideological control. Through this lens, Žižek sees philosophy not as a search for stable truths, but as a constant effort to reveal contradictions in how we make sense of reality.
Further Reading:
The Society of the Spectacle – Guy Debord (1967)
The Parallax View – Slavoj Žižek (2006)
Simulacra and Simulation – Jean Baudrillard (1981)
See the full transcript here
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