The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast
A Philosophy Podcast and Philosophy Blog
Combat and Classics is a series of podcasts and online seminars that explores the nature of man in conflict and cooperation through Socratic dialogue and the great books. Former Marine Corps officer Brian Wilson is joined by Lise van Boxel (St. John's College, Santa Fe) and Jeffrey J.S. Black (St. John's College, Annapolis) and occasional guests.
For more info visit combatandclassics.org.
Xenophon and the Greek host begin their march north, out of the Persian king's territory, through the icy highlands of Armenia, until at last, from a mountain, they catch sight of "the sea! the sea!" So how do the demands of the terrain and weather impose necessities on the Greeks, and how does Xenophon deal with these necessities? Is this easier, or harder, than dealing with Continue Reading …
The Greek army has been beheaded: all its generals are dead. The remaining soldiers lie down on the ground in despair. And Xenophon has a dream, one that somehow leads him to reanimate the Greeks and start them on their march north out of Persia. Brian, Shilo, and Jeff talk about how Xenophon revives the troops, why he's in Persia, and whether he disobeyed Socrates' advice Continue Reading …
At the beginning of Book 2, Cyrus is dead, but the Greeks are victorious. By the end of Book 2, every Greek general is dead through Tissaphernes' treachery. How did this happen? What does this have to do with Clearchus, the de facto Greek general, and in particular with his piety? And what is the hidden meaning of... palm trees? Join us for the next episode in our reading Continue Reading …
Brian, Shilo, and Jeff start their reading of Xenophon's great adventure story, "The Anabasis" -- or "Ascent" -- "of Cyrus." We have a new Cyrus; is he the same as the old Cyrus? How is Cyrus the Younger different from Cyrus the Great? (Is he Cyrus the not-so-Great?) And whose ascent is Xenophon's title talking about, since Cyrus the not-so-Great (spoiler Continue Reading …
Brian and Jeff are joined by Michael Grenke, St. John's College - Santa Fe, to discuss Lise van Boxel's posthumously published book "Warspeak" from PoliticalAnimalPress.com. Purchase your copy here. Continue Reading …
All good things must come to an end -- but so must all bad things, and Cyrus' empire ends badly. Was Cyrus happy? Is it possible to rule human beings the way he did, like a god, and also make yourself and them happy? And why did such a cold king have two sons? Brian, Shilo, and Jeff have answers, and these answers raise new and interesting questions, and point to another of Continue Reading …
Abradatas is hacked to pieces, and Panthea kills herself over his corpse. Croesus is defeated by Cyrus, and tries to teach him what "know thyself" means. And Cyrus surrounds himself with a bodyguard... of eunuchs? In this episode, Brian, Shilo, and Jeff finally confront the question of what "the education of Cyrus" really means. To suffer is to learn... but do any of these Continue Reading …
Brian, Shilo and Jeff get together to talk more about the difference between sexual and political love, or eros, and about the connection between eros and gratitude. We end on another cliffhanger, as Cyrus' army, complete with siege engines, is about to attack the Assyrian host. And Jeff admits to a crackpot theory about the connection between love, chariots, and... Continue Reading …
Shilo Brooks returns for the next podcast in our series on Xenophon's Education of Cyrus. We talk about Book V, the love book -- easy now -- and especially about the differences between sexual and political love. Cyrus' special friend returns, as does his boyfriend, and the Susan woman. And the book ends with another kiss! We also learn the secret of when Cyrus, and Continue Reading …
Shilo Brooks returns for Book IV of Xenophon's "The Education of Cyrus." We discuss Cyrus' attack on the Assyrians, consolidation, cavalry, and Cyrus' first boyfriend returns (::kiss::kiss::) and the Susan woman. For more info check out combatandclassics.org. We now have a newsletter, Instagram (@combatandclassics), and twitter (@combat_classics). Continue Reading …
Shilo Brooks returns for another episode of "The Education of Cyrus" by Xenophon. We discuss moderation, virtue, risk and a brief mention of the ugly boyfriend. Continue Reading …
Dr. Joseph Wood (Institute for World Politics and Cana Academy) joins Brian and Jeff to discuss Pierre Manent’s “The Metamorphoses of the City,” Chapter 2: The Poetic Birth of the City. We discuss the relationships between war and politics, especially as it relates to The Iliad. Continue Reading …
Shilo Brooks returns to continue our exploration of Xenophon's "The Education of Cyrus" Book II where Cyrus goes to war against the Assyrians and we try to tease out what fundamentals of warfare Cyrus discovers versus what he's taught by the Persians. Continue Reading …
Shilo Brooks returns to discuss Book I of Xenophon's "Education of Cyrus" where we discuss Cyrus' early upbringing and the nature of government. Continue Reading …
Andrea Radasanu of Northern Illinois University returns to discuss the Sicilian Expedition by the Athenian Empire from Thucydides "History of the Peloponnesian War." Continue Reading …
Jeff and Brian are joined by Shilo Brooks, Director of the Engineering Leadership Program at the University of Colorado - Boulder, to discuss the role of engineering in the liberal arts and his lovely essay on the Wright Brothers for Scientific American: https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/why-did-the-wright-brothers-succeed-when-others-failed/ Continue Reading …
Jeff and Brian are joined by Dr. Andrea Radasanu, Acting Director of the University Honors Program at Northern Illinois University, to discuss Thucydides "History of the Peloponnesian War," specifically the Athenian plague and Pericles funeral oration. For more info on Andrea and NIU, click here: https://www.niu.edu/honors/about/staff.shtml Continue Reading …
Join Brian, Ashley Johnson (https://www.writethinkdream.com/) and Anne Kniggendorf (twitter: @annekniggendorf) in their discussion of the 19th century classic, Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert. Get more C&C on the PEL site or at combatandclassics.org. Continue Reading …
Brian and Jeff are joined by Claudia Hauer, St. John's College tutor and visiting professor of moral philosophy at the United States Air Force Academy to discuss her new book "Strategic Humanism: Lessons on Leadership from the Ancient Greeks." To pre-order, click below: https://www.politicalanimalpress.com/product/strategic-humanism/ Get more C&C on the PEL Continue Reading …
Our dear friend, co-founder, co-host and great-souled human, Lise van Boxel, has passed away. We present our humble tribute. Continue Reading …
