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Listen to this here episode first. A priori, that is. Before experiencing the world yourself.
Why should you bother to go through the trouble of downloading and listening to one of the full length episodes? Who are we anyway? Why shouldn't you just go listen to some philosophy lectures posted by university professors instead of this thing? Do you need to listen to the episodes in order? Do you need to already know a lot about philosophy to get anything out of this podcast? Should you listen to it while pleasuring yourself? Most of these questions will be answered here!
End song: "New People" by New People.
Once you've finished this, you can jump to episode 1 (and its continuation).
Ever read I.F. Stone’s book on the trial of Socrates???
http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/socrates/ifstoneinterview.html
“….Plato turned the trial of his master, Socrates, into a trial of Athens and of democracy. He used it to demonstrate that the common people were too ignorant, benighted and fickle to entrust with political power. In Plato’s “Apology,” the contrast drawn between the nobility of Socrates and the grim verdict of his juror-judges indicted democracy in the eyes of posterity. And thanks to his genius, no other trial except that of Jesus has so captured the imagination of Western man.
Plato made Socrates the secular martyred saint of the struggle against democracy. He stigmatized it as “mobocracy.” Yet this was the very same “mob” which applauded the anti-war plays of Aristophanes when Athens was fighting for its life against Sparta. (No such antiwar plays were allowed, by either side, during our last two World Wars). This was the same “mob” whose eagerness for new ideas, and its readiness to hear them, drew philosophers from all over the ancient world. It made Athens – in the proud words of Pericles – “the school of Hellas,” the university of the Greek world. It is the high repute of Athens that makes the trial of Socrates so puzzling. “
I’m going to enjoy this. A lot.
Yes, yes you are…
Well, this is exciting. I haven’t listened to any other episodes yet but I figured I’d listen to the hosts describing what the podcasts are intended to be. And it was good news; I like the informal atmosphere!
I may just take their advice and save some lectures to an old iPod Nano (I think that’s what it’s called) if I can manage to find it.
Thanks for listening, Tim. Let us know how you like it as you proceed…
Okay, so I’ve listened to Episode 1, Part 1. I even rewound certain parts if my attention wandered briefly.
It’s great stuff! It reminds me of a get-together I used to have with my friends back in 1993. Our Wednesday Night Study Group would examine a different topic each week. The group initially followed a strict structure, complete with printed hand-outs, but eventually the format evolved into easy-going but nonetheless enthusiastic chatter during an elaborate meal which could easily last three hours. How time flies when you’re talking about such things with good friends!
As with our group, it seems that you discuss with plenty of humor, enjoying the company of one another. Your setting is precisely what I’d hoped it would be when I first discovered your podcasts.
As for the content, I’ve skimmed the upcoming installments and I’m looking forward to the episodes about Descartes and William James, to name just two. I’ve transferred something like 17 hours of episodes onto a old iPod and I’m looking forward to relaxing while I listen.
One thing I’ve so far found particularly appealing is that there doesn’t seem to be the attitude of “You MUST know this stuff.” To me, this stuff is … interesting. Lest that sound like faint praise, let me say that it’s EXTREMELY interesting, if not outright fascinating. It’s rather like exploring the wilderness, never knowing what wonders will be revealed just past the next bend of the river. Speaking only for myself, I say that that is the essence of “fun.”
I may comment further, later on, but I figured I should at least give you some initial feedback.
Thanks!
This is brilliant that I’ve found this! I have been thinking about doing philosophy in university when I start next year, this might help me find out if it’s something I might like!
So thank you for doing this! Prospective university students need help to understand what they are considering doing a four year degree in before they dive into it!
Hi guys listened to your first podcast. Interesting work. Really appreciate it.
This is awesome.
My intellectual journey has started similar to Mark’s steps through the college years. I find your podcasts thus far very ‘life-giving’ (believe it or not!) by the honesty of the discussion, the frankness of your all’s thoughts, and the confident follow-through of this lifelong questioning process. Remarkable!
David
What if I don’t do anything else besides listening to the podcast? :w
CanI have transcription ?
We only have transcriptions for a handful of episodes; it has not proven cost-effective in general. Thanks. -Mark
I’m a little late to the party, but I’m looking forward to listening to your podcasts 🙂
I am also late to the party, but I’m eager to start listening! I’ve been listening to the wonderful History of Philosophy podcast from King’s College, but I was craving something with more of a discussion component.
#teamseth
I’d like you to read Donna Haraway who in my opinion is really fun to read, current, and extremely vital in the contemporary debate . I also don’t get why Wes didn’t bring up more stuff with Judith Butler! I think there’s a lot of She’s a great reader so it’s disappointing that this wasn’t set up like one of the earlier attempts of doing a reading with a guest philosopher.
My preferred podcast crossover discussion would be with the always already podcast since they enjoy and focus on a lot of the stuff you are interested but seem mildly allergic to.