Athens Corner

Subscriber-only episodeThis is the recording of an X/Twitter space where I discuss how addiction and "depression" have always been a defining theme of what we refer to as “philosophy” — the questioning pursuit of the good life — in everything from Homer to Nietzsche and Heidegger.As a consequence, the discussion is about diagnosis and prognosis *without* any reference to "Big Pharma" or facile and/or extremely speculative theories of the so-called "unconscious" mind.  

Subscriber-only episodeIn this recorded X space, I discuss the history and the philosophy of the crisis of the sciences that emerged in the late 18th and continued through the 19th century and into the 20th century.This discussion is meant as a broad introductory survey to where things stand presently with regard to science in its relationship to philosophy which justifies why my entire "Technology and Nihilism" series is relevant for all of us, despite our own various fields of study and particular areas in interest in philosophy.

Subscriber-only episodeOne of the most common questions I receiver is where people should begin in the study of Nietzsche.In this recorded X space, I discuss a number of different and helpful ways to begin the study of Nietzsche from his various texts.  Along the way, I also discuss a few of the common errors I see in the approaches some people take in their attempts to study Nietzsche.

Subscriber-only episodeHere I host the discussion of a two month weekly series devoted to the first book of Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics. This particular discussion is on chapter five of book one. I especially appreciate chapter five of book one because it's where Aristotle introduces the competition of lives for the happy life. Is it the life of pleasure? Is it the life of politics? Is it the life of contemplation?

Subscriber-only episodeThe most important thing to understand in Nietzsche's thought is nihilism, and not as we understand the term but as Nietzsche understands it. Here I discuss the meaning of nihilism as Nietzsche's Zarathustra presents it in chapter 19 of book 2 in Thus Spoke Zarathustra, entitled "The Soothsayer." The reason this is so important is that one cannot understand what Zarathustra expects of mankind in the figure of the overman unless and until one understands what Zarathustra must himself overcome. The meaning of redemption in Nietzsche comes from this, namely, the overcoming of the most powerful form of nihilism that his Zarathustra confronts.

Subscriber-only episodeHere I discuss the similarities and differences between Dostoevsky and Nietzsche on the topic of nihilism, which ultimately becomes a rich discussion of the premises of Modern science. In order to best understand the nihilistic premises of Modern science, I begin with a discussion of an alternative to it that one finds in the meaning of Platonic political philosophy.

Subscriber-only episodeA discussion of the image of the divided line in Plato's Republic and what it means for Socrates's presentation of reason

Subscriber-only episodeA continuation of the discussion of regime change in book 8 of Plato's Republic with emphasis upon democracy.

Subscriber-only episodeA discussion on Strauss with Alex Priou and Justin Gottschaulk.

Subscriber-only episodeHere I discuss the very important--but so often overlooked--aspect of the youth which orients so much of Nietzsche's political project. That is, I discuss Nietzsche's understanding of what philosophy must become if it is to decisively transform culture. The approach I take is a thorough interpretation of Nietzsche's second book: The Untimely Meditations. In particular, I discuss Nietzsche's critique of scientific education and its effect on the youth. Also, I emphasize how it is that hope is an extremely important aspect of Nietzsche's teaching and, in fact, a virtue according to Nietzsche.

Subscriber-only episodeThis can be understood as part two of my previous discussion of Nietzsche and the youth. Here I discuss the extremely important analysis of human psychology provided by Nietzsche's Zarathustra in sections 1.7 and 1.8 of Thus Spoke Zarathustra. Combined, these two sections address the problematic psychology for the self-overcoming required of the would-be overman. Especially important is the relationship of this psychology to the youth and Zarathustra's political revolution. In particular, at issue is how the greatest aspects of the most talented youth can easily become their greatest danger by way of envy.

Subscriber-only episodeI'm joined once again by @AncPhi to respond to his always-insightful questions about nihilism, namely, what it is and the possible solutions to it.

Subscriber-only episodeHere my friend @AncPhi and I discuss various aspects of the meaning of nihilism, both as it appears practically in our everyday lives and theoretically in Nietzsche and Dostoevsky. We also discuss what it might mean to "overcome" nihilism.

Subscriber-only episodeLeo Strauss and Historicism": In part three of my ongoing series on the legacy of the imagery of the Cave and Enlightenment, I discuss the thought of Leo Strauss and his imagery of "the pit/cave beneath the Cave" to describe postmodernity. I'm joined by @AlexPriou so that he can share his truly invaluable insight and expertise on the subject.

Subscriber-only episodeThis is the second in a series of lectures with @alejandrophase2 tracing the imagery of Enlightenment in the Western philosophical tradition. I discuss the cave imagery in Bacon's New Organon regarding the Idols. Afterwards, Alejandro provides invaluable insights into Vico's use of the cave imagery with explicit reference to Bacon.

Subscriber-only episodeHere I'm joined with @AncPhi to briefly discuss the invaluable importance of Heidegger. At issue is the significance of language, translation, and etymology for his thought on time and being; and, more broadly, the revolution in postmodern philosophy that issued from his thought from the perspective of his essay on Anaximander.

Subscriber-only episodeHere is the first in a series of lectures with @alejandrophase2 tracing the imagery of Enlightenment in the Western philosophical tradition. Here I discuss the meaning of the cave of the Cyclops in Homer's Odyssey and Socrates's image of the cave in the Republic. Afterwards, Alejandro provides invaluable insights into the imagery of the Cave in the Republic made by Heidegger

Subscriber-only episodeIn this recording my good friend Ancient (@AncPhi) discusses Aristotle's critique of Plato's unwritten teaching.  There are a few audio glitches during the recording but it is still very much worth your time.”

Subscriber-only episodeHeidegger's masterpiece is Being & Time, and any understanding of postmodern philosophy requires a serious reading of the text. Here I introduce the text by an in-depth exploration of the first part of his introduction of the text. With an eye toward the most important themes still to come in the text, I provide readers with the requisite amount of knowledge leading up to the second part of the introduction regarding the "deconstruction" of the Western tradition of metaphysics that I will take up in a forthcoming lecture.

Subscriber-only episodeThis is possibly the most important topic for understanding the relationship between poetry and philosophy. I go into great detail regarding the discovery of "nature" presented by Odysseus in Homer's Odyssey. At issue is not whether or not poetry is philosophy or vice versa but, rather, a much more thoughtful understanding of what is meant by both poetry and philosophy.

Subscriber-only episodeThis is the first in a series of lectures on the meaning of nihilism. I begin with the relationship between Jünger and Heidegger: their letter correspondences and the essays they dedicated to each other. At issue is the way in which Modern nihilism has manifested in technology. I explore the issue as it is addressed by Jünger in the essay he dedicated to Heidegger on his 60th birthday entitled "Across the Line."

Subscriber-only episodeNietzsche's critique of Plato is well known, but it is not well known how indebted Nietzsche is to Plato's student Aristotle. Here I discuss the way in which much of Nietzsche's most important insights can be understood as appropriating Aristotle. On one hand, there is Aristotle's account of tragedy in the Poetics. On the other hand, there is Aristotle's account of the virtue of greatness of soul in the Nicomachean Ethics. With an eye toward both those accounts, I present an entryway into Nietzsche's thought beginning with his late preface to his first book, The Birth of Tragedy.

Subscriber-only episodeThe relationship between Nietzsche and Aristotle is extremely important but seldom acknowledged. Here I provide an entryway into Nietzsche by way of his invocation of Shakespeare and how that suggests Aristotle's account of the virtue of greatness of soul.

Subscriber-only episodeA discussion of the change of regimes in book 8 of Plato's Republic. 

Subscriber-only episodeAn amazingly rich discussion of HP Lovecraft with Justin Gottschaulk.

Subscriber-only episodeHere I'm joined with my friends @ProdigalThe3rd and Alex Priou to discuss the crisis in American schools, from secondary education through graduate school. We cover everything parents and students need to know. Alex also provides some great insights into Bloom's classic "The Closing of the American Mind." This is the first of two discussions we have where we go into great detail about the text, along with its various criticisms.

Subscriber-only episodeIn this space I'm joined by Alex Priou and my good friend Ancient Philosophy to discuss everything encompassed in approaching the thought of Heraclitus. We discuss the everything from the difficulties of translating the Greek to even understand Heraclitus to the consequences of understanding him on a whole host of fronts: Plato, Nietzsche, Modern science, etc

Subscriber-only episodeContinuing my exploration of Manent's writings on Leo Strauss, here I discuss Manent's analysis of Strauss and Heidegger, which unfolds into a discussion of the meaning of history.

Subscriber-only episodeThis is the first of two discussions where I discuss Pierre Manent's writings on Leo Strauss. Here I discuss Manent's analysis of the relationship between Nietzsche and Strauss, which unfolds into a broad introduction to the thought of Leo Strauss beginning with Rousseau and going back though Machiavelli and Hobbes into the Medieval Islamic and Jewish thinkers before returning to a critique of Hegel and entering into a discussion of Nietzsche.

Subscriber-only episodeIn this recording my good friend Alejandro (@engeignos) provides an entire reading with invaluable historical and philosophical commentary throughout of Kant's famous essay “What is Enlightenment?”

Subscriber-only episodeIn this recording my good friend Ancient (@AncPhi) discusses the role of logos in the thought of Heidegger.

Subscriber-only episodeHaving discussed the opening paragraph, I now turn to the second paragraph which marks the beginning of the text traditionally referred to as ‘the Archaeology' (paragraphs 2-20).  Here is where we begin to see our theme in the series of technology.  At issue is the emerging way in which Thucydides understands the role of techne in the life of man and what that reveals about the possibility of political community.  As I show, this unfolds into a way in which the entire text can be understood as an inquiry into the greatness and the limitations that technology imposes upon the possibility of statesmanship.  In other words, Thucydides is a kind of political philosopher that is primarily concerned with the greatness man is capable of achieving when the nature of man is properly understood and harnessed by political rule.

Subscriber-only episodeZarathustra's insurgency having begun, he now enters into the academic institutions in order to discover what the youth are being taught.  At issue is the way in which Zarathustra's wisdom differs from that being taught by the academics and, more broadly, how Zarathustra's understanding of the teaching corresponds to Nietzsche's critique of the entire Western tradition of philosophy since Plato and culminating in the Modern Enlightenment.

Subscriber-only episodeAt issue in Zarathustra's speech here is everything encompassed in the phrase ‘the transvaluation of all values' (or ‘the revaluation of all values').  That is to say, this speech by Zarathustra marks the beginning of Nietzsche's experiment as a political founder in postmodernity.  I emphasize how the issue of Zarathustra's understanding of ‘the hinterworldly' is the question of the possibility of another ‘Enlightenment,' and it is precisely this question that constitutes the ultimate status of the teaching on the Overman in the text.  Here in particular is to be found a large part of the meaning of Nietzsche's atheism. This speech by Zarathustra is the true beginning of the possibility of ‘Enlightenment,' which is itself the possibility of the Overman.  Accordingly, it marks the true beginning of Zarathustra's fundamentally political project, which is to say the possibility of what man as such can become.

Subscriber-only episodeContinuing our discussion of the all-important third speech of part 1, at issue here is Zarathustra's turn from the critique of the hinterworldly to the metaphysical concept of ‘being' and, for Zarathustra, the psychology at the core of both (i.e. all gods and all traditional understandings of philosophy).  In his turn toward this psychological foundation for all grounding concepts, Zarathustra broaches the definitive topic of poetry that becomes thematic in the text and crucial for understanding Zarathustra and his political project.

Subscriber-only episodeIn preparing to begin an entire series on Plato's longest dialogue the "Laws,” I use an almost casual comment by Aristotle in his discussion (or logos) on slavery in the Politics to discuss the way in which inquiry into the art of politics unfolds, and almost immediately (!), into the entirety of philosophy.  Among other things, I place great emphasis on the following in this discussion:1.) The status of political philosophy in relation to philosophy or, alternatively, the most informative way of how the field of study known as political philosophy should be understood in comparison to the field of study known as philosophy.2.) The meaning and significance of the life of man according to logos as Aristotle presents it, keeping in mind that the most definitive claims Aristotle makes about the nature of man is that (a) man is the only animal in possession of logos, (b) man is by nature a political animal, (c) man is by nature the most imitative of all the animals and, lastly, (d) man is by nature a coupling animal.3.) The premises and, ultimately, the status of the analogy used by Aristotle to inquiry into slavery and, in particular, the existence of natural slaves along with what is required in order to justify rule over natural slaves either according to nature or contrary to nature.4.) The subtleties of Aristotle's logos on slavery that allow for, and even invite the reader with dry comedy (!) to recognize, how it is that any discussion of rule unfolds into the enormous and fascinating question of a principle of order and possibly even harmony (!) within the entire cosmos and issuing most importantly from the relationship of both body and soul as seen in the most excellent of men.

Subscriber-only episodeBroadly speaking, the theme of the series that I provide in philosophy on my website center around the various relationships in which philosophy and divine revelation have existed together in the Western philosophical tradition, whether for the Greeks, the medieval Scholastics, the Moderns with their "Modern" science, or the Postmoderns with their technology and nihilism.  In this discussion, I provide a broad overview of what we even mean when we say the "Moderns" or "Modernity."  I do that in the following way:1. I begin by setting the boundaries of the discussion with two specific passages about natural law and conscience: one from Thomas Aquinas and the other from John Locke.2. I then provide a brief introduction to a few of the most influential schools of interpretation that students are likely to encounter in the secondary literature on our question concerning the origins of Modernity.3. I then introduce the question of the origins of Modernity as the question of the relationship between divine revelation and philosophy which, in our case, is Christianity and the tradition of Greek philosophy.  Specifically, I discuss how the famous phrase of "faith seeking understanding" is not new to the Christian Medievals but, in fact, alive and well in both Plato and Augustine.4. I then meticulously examine specific passages of Augustine's teaching on how Christianity is to properly understand itself in relationship to philosophy.  The reason for this is to allow Augustine to serve as a helpful segue into the teaching of Thomas Aquinas which is otherwise very often so foreign and difficult for students of philosophy to appreciate as still relevant today.5. I then end with a preview of how the teaching of Augustine on the proper relationship of Christianity and philosophy is so radically transformed by "Modern" science.  Here I emphasize how our own tendency to read the Bible through the lenses of "Modern" science is in radical tension with the tradition of theology beginning with Augustine even and especially despite its claim to not be in such a tension.

Subscriber-only episodeThis is the inaugural discussion of my series on fathers and sons reading Great books together.  Here I discuss the reasoning behind the series, encompassing everything from Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, to Plato's Republic, Aristotle's Poetics, Xenophon, Plutarch, Shakespeare, Mark Twain, Melville, Bloom's Closing of the American Mind and, of course and definitively, the Bible.  At issue is an assessment of we ourselves as educators of the youth and the meaning of greatness in the education fathers seek to cultivate in their sons. 

Subscriber-only episodeA discussion of Shakespeare's Tempest with @KingBolingbroke

Subscriber-only episodeContinuing my previous discussion about the radically anti-Orthodox Biblical interpretation provided by Hobbes, here I discuss Spinoza. In particular, I discuss the way in which Spinoza founded what we now refer to today as the so-called “higher Biblical criticism” in order for him to make his argument that tolerant or liberal democracy is the best form of government.

Subscriber-only episodeThe rise of everything we understand as “Modernity” required a radically anti-Orthodox re-interpretation of Christian theology. All of the primary political founders of Modernity included these anti-Orthodox readings of the Bible. Here I discuss the issue broadly before focusing upon Hobbes in particular. I also discuss the Orthodox alternative originating in Augustine's text On Christian Doctrine.

Subscriber-only episodeHere I discuss the origins of one of the most important words we tend to use so casually today, namely the word “culture.” I provide a historical and philosophical introduction to how it came to be that the word “culture” became a philosophical concept, beginning in the late 18th Century and including its various transformations into the 20th Century. 

Subscriber-only episodeThis is the first in a two-part discussion assessing the initial teaching of the Overman and the Last Man.  In addition, because of how important it is to properly understand both, I provide detailed analysis of both as they appear in a number of Nietzsche's pre-Zarathustra publications.  At issue is ultimately the way in which Nietzsche understands Modernity, which is to say the debate on 'civilization' and 'culture' in late-Modern philosophy, which especially includes the meaning of science and technology for Nietzsche.

Subscriber-only episodeContinuing my summary of the initial teaching of Zarathustra's overman and last man, here I discuss the way in which both constitute Nietzsche's involvement with the broader debate of culture in 18th and 19th century Germany, going back to Rousseau and Kant.

Subscriber-only episodeHere we see the extent to which Nietzsche's TSZ can be seen as belonging to the rare great books of the Western world in which education is thematic.  Not only do we see Zarathustra teaching others, but even more importantly we see Zarathustra himself learning along the way.  Immediately upon the initial failure of his first speech, Zarathustra gains a fundamental insight into what will be required of him for his political project to be successful, an insight he had not initially anticipated.  This insight fundamentally places Zarathustra at odds with the most sacred ideal of Modernity.

Subscriber-only episodeHaving gained his first new insight since returning to mankind, Zarathustra begins his true or official speeches with a speech about the kinds of spirit required in order to be or become Zarathustra's brother or disciple. I discuss the important Platonic parallels, the relationships to temporality and history, as well as how they represent deviations from Zarathustra's initial political project of the Overman. Zarathustra has now become an insurgent, and this first speech subtly contains what Zarathustra's insurgency will require not simply for those who would become his brother or disciple but also and especially the kind of rhetoric required of Zarathustra himself in order to successfully complete his insurgency.

Subscriber-only episodeThis is my first in a series devoted to the ways in which technology and nihilism have been understood and intertwined in the Western philosophical tradition.  It turns out that what's at issue is something much deeper than simply the historical emergence of these things we call 'technology' and 'nihilism,' taking us to the very core of what is meant by philosophy itself.  Beginning with two of the greatest thinkers on the subject closest to us, we see this from the writings of Martin Heidegger and Ernst Jünger.  In this discussion I give a broad survey of the topic by introducing everything that comes tumbling out when one closely examines the texts that emerged from the correspondence between Heidegger and Ernst Jünge, with particular emphasis upon the all-important image of the forest for both in understanding what is even meant by the words 'technology,' 'nihilism,' and, rather surprisingly, 'history' as philosophical concepts.  That said, I want to emphasize that everything I'm describing here and presenting in the discussion will receive much more clarification in the subsequent discussions of this series which, in many ways, can be understood as the most relevant lens through which one understands the entire tradition of Western Philosophy.

Subscriber-only episodeHere we get the first of Zarathustra's two speeches devoted to the Overman.  We also learn about what Zarathustra understands is the necessary pre-condition for the Overman, and this provides a number of crucial details pertaining to the meaning and transformative power of nihilism as Nietzsche's Zarathustra understands it.  We also gain much insight into the scope of Zarathustra's political project for man amid and after nihilism.

Subscriber-only episodeHere we briefly digress from Zarathustra to look more closely at the phrase 'God is Dead' to get a better understanding of what it could mean for Nietzsche.  At issue is not simply what nihilism means for Nietzsche but also science itself, and so this digression also greatly supplements the series Nihilism and Technology.  Here we turn to the book Nietzsche published just prior to Zarathustra entitled Joyous Science.  In particular we turn to Joyous Science 125 and its associated context wherein Nietzsche announces 'God is dead' for the first time in his publications.  It's important to emphasize that Zarathustra is self-contained and does not require these digressions, and I'm only providing such digressions along our journey in Zarathustra as a possibly helpful pedagogical supplement to our reading of Zarathustra

Subscriber-only episodeContinuing the brief digression on the meaning of 'God is dead' in Nietzsche, here I give a broad, chronological account of science, madness, and nihilism in Nietzsche's publications to follow the much more focused discussion from the previous addendum on the madman in Joyous Science 125.  Again, due to the topic, this discussion also supplements the series on Nihilism and Technology.  At issue here is the meaning and history of nihilism for Nietzsche iNietzsche's own various 'histories' of man

Subscriber-only episodeContinuing with the digressions to previous two digressions into Nietzsche's writings other to supplement our understanding of Zarathustra, this third digression is the culmination of the previous two regarding the image of Prometheus in Zarathustra.  Here I discuss the way Nietzsche understands the way in which Greek tragedy and Modern science are to be linked such that the consequences of nihilism inherent to Modern science can be overcome by way of a 'joyous' science.  Ultimately, this is a discussion of how Nietzsche's Zarathustra is meant to be understood as creating a new culture that is more resilient in the wake of nihilism since the diffusion of the 'deadly' truths of science ended the life affirming effects of Greek tragedy as Nietzsche understands it.