Johnathan Bi

Rational Inquiry Harms Society | Christopher Kelly on Rousseau

Nietzsche: There is No Objective Right or Wrong | Brian Leiter

This podcast delves into Nietzsche's concept of moral anti-realism, which asserts that there are no objective moral truths. The discussion examines Nietzsche's critiques of objective morality and highlights the ongoing disagreements among moral philosophers throughout history. While some find Nietzsche's ideas unsettli...

Why The Poor Support Inequality | Rousseau's Second Discourse Explained

This lecture delves into Rousseau's Second Discourse, focusing on the roots and validity of inequality. Rousseau contends that inequality doesn't stem from our nature as humans but rather from advancements in technology, like metallurgy and agriculture, which heighten our “amour propre”—the yearning for recognition and...

The Surprising Politics of Roman Epicureans | Columbia's Katharina Volk

How to Combine Contemplation & Action | Katharina Volk on Cicero & Caesar

Shakespeare's Advice to People in Love | Harvard's Stephen Greenblatt

Stoicism is a Coping Mechanism | Katharina Volk on Cato

The Surprising Reason Why Plato Hated Innovation

Nietzsche's Warnings for Modern Man | UChicago's Robert Pippin

Columbia Professor Teaches the Art of Self-Esteem | Fred Neuhouser on Rousseau

Rousseau's Urgent Warning for Modern Society | Chris Kelly

How Intellectuals Poison Society | Rousseau's First Discourse Explained

This lecture delves into Rousseau's "Discourse on the Arts and Sciences," where he argues that, despite their apparent benefits, advancements in art and science have actually corrupted society. Rousseau believes that the quest for knowledge and artistic expression, fueled by self-interest and pride, leads to division, ...

Reject Free Will, Become Who You Are | Brian Leiter on Nietzsche

This podcast episode investigates Nietzsche's radical critique of free will, challenging traditional beliefs about human agency by emphasizing the influence of unconscious drives and physiological factors on our choices. Through a thorough exploration of concepts like "The Revaluation of Value," Nietzsche's rejection o...

Masters vs. Slaves | Nietzsche's Genealogy of Morality Explained

Girard Predicts Apocalypse | Mimetic Theory

This lecture delves into Girard's theory that humanity is heading toward an unavoidable apocalypse, driven by our growing capacity for violence and our waning ability to control it. He contends that while Christianity aims to foster love and truth, it has unintentionally undermined the traditional methods—like rituals ...

The Far-Right is Satan, The Far-Left is Anti-Christ | Girard's Mimetic Theory

This lecture delves into René Girard's insights on modernity, suggesting that while Christianity has paved the way for an era defined by love, truth, and innovation, these positive elements are continually at risk from hypocrisy, dogma, and fleeting trends—issues rooted in our natural mimetic behavior. The speakers exa...

This Single Perspective Makes Christianity Unique | Girard’s Apologetic

This lecture delves into René Girard's unique take on Christianity, suggesting it serves as a "myth vaccine" against the recurring violence found in pagan religions. Girard argues that the Bible, especially the narratives of Cain and Abel and Joseph, highlights the innocence of victims and the unfairness of scapegoatin...

Society is Founded on a Lie | Girard’s Scapegoat Explained

This lecture delves into René Girard's theory of mimetic desire and its influence on human societies, especially those before Christianity. Girard posits that mimetic rivalry sparks escalating violence, which he terms "reciprocal violence." To address this, societies often resort to a scapegoat mechanism, where a commu...

If You are Competing, You Already Lost | Girard’s Mimetic Rivalry Explained

This podcast lecture delves into René Girard's theory of mimetic desire and its significance for understanding human behavior and social dynamics. Girard posits that rather than acting out of rational self-interest, people are motivated by mimetic desire—essentially, we imitate what others want. This imitation can spar...

The Hidden Origin of Your Desires | Girard’s Mimetic Desire Explained

This lecture delves into René Girard's concept of mimetic desire, positing that our deepest motivation is not merely the desire to possess, but rather a "metaphysical desire"—the longing to truly "be" and attain a sense of wholeness and independence. This desire, which stems from imitating others and is driven by pride...