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. For more info visit 
Join Lise, Jeff and Brian as they discuss Sophocles’s Ajax, the story of a great Greek warrior who takes his own life on the beach of Troy. For more information, check out this article about the Theater of War project, which puts on productions of Ajax and other plays by Sophocles all over the country. The article also includes powerful Continue Reading …
Playing God: The Rise of the Actor and the Decline of Tragic Art
In The Birth of Tragedy, Friedrich Nietzsche argues that, through his protégé Euripides, Socrates had injected into Greek tragedy the seed of questioning doubt that brought an end to the religious animus of drama, the fire that fueled its creation and sustained it. Thus, cold reason killed tragedy. Although he would later modify this view, it remains a powerful and influential polemic in the history of aesthetics.
Episode 117: Discussing Sophocles’s “Antigone”
Philosophically considering the ancient Greek tragedy, which we also performed with Lucy Lawless and Paul Provenza.
End song: “Woe Is Me” (live, 2002) by Madison Lint.
Features a preview of the Aftershow, feat. Wes and host Danny Lobell.
Episode 117: Sophocles’s “Antigone” (Citizen Edition)
What can philosophy wrench from the ancient Greek tragedy (BCE 451)? A party, for one! Mark, Wes, and Dylan are rejoined by drama guy John Castro, who played Haimon in our performance.
End song: “Woe Is Me,” live 2002 on WORT by Madison Lint.
“Antigone” Read by PEL with Lucy Lawless and Paul Provenza
An unrehearsed, fun read-through of the Greek Tragedy from 441 BCE, plus some discussion with the cast of Greek drama, our selected translation, and other stuff. Enjoy!
PEL Citizens can get an ad-free, extended version.
End song: “Antigone (Choragos Speaks)” by Mark Lint. Read about it.
Topic for #117: Sophocles’s Play “Antigone”
We’ll be discussing the famous Greek tragedy, and also performing a version of it with Lucy Lawless and Paul Provenza. What can such a work teach philosophy about ethics and the human condition?
Discussion of “Antigone” Now Posted
PEL Citizens can now download the Not School Theater group’s discussion (which Mark showed up for most of), well in advance of the PEL episode on this topic. What philosophical insights lurk in Sophocles’s drama?
Not School Theater Group: “Antigone”
Nearly a year prior to our coverage of the play, the theater group attempts to divulge its philosophical riches. Featuring Daniel Cole, Philip Cherny, Carlos Franke, Mark Linsenmayer, and Michael Rissman. Recorded June 29, 2014.
A Wealth of Not School Offerings in June
Summer has arrived, and in case you can’t decide whether to take Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason or Franz Kafka’s The Trial to the beach with you, let me help: take them both and be prepared for Not School in June. Thinking of taking summer classes? Think better of it. That’s expensive, and for a measly $5 a month you can Continue Reading …