Do your most hidden desires say something about the worth of your character? In this episode of Ideas on Trial, Leopold Ajami and Ricardo Pinto join together to examine the notion of the 'dark side' of human nature. Does such a thing exist or can we understand it from another framework? Why is it common that our desires get in the way of our convictions? And how can philosophy help us harmonize thought and feeling? Check out our courses: https://learn.novelphilosophy.academy Support the show

What is the link between Luxury and Lucifer? And, does Luxury escapes reason, and if so, why do we need it? Nicolas Chemla joins Leopold Ajami and Ricardo Pinto to explore the role of luxury in the human experience. Join us as we explore questions of great interest, such as whether there are standards for evaluating what is luxurious, the difference between ostentation and true luxury, and how material comfort is linked (and perhaps essential) to our character. Nicolas Chemla is a writer,...

Our modern technology and its comfort would make us the envy of past generations, but would they really want to adopt our way of living?  In this episode, Leopold Ajami and Ricardo Pinto talk with Jamil Asfour about technology and how it helps or hinders our most basic humanity. Are we better off because of our technological progress? Or at some point did we forget to reflect on our purpose and empathy?  Jamil Asfour is an international business and investment professional with 20 years of...

Claims of rights are very prominent in the current news: some adopt the language of rights to express pride, whereas others use it to voice their moral outrage against injustice. But what do we mean by rights? Is everything a right simply by making it law? Are rights inherent in human life or part of human dignity? Or maybe, there's a perspective (a philosophical one) that can help you navigate even the most contentious debates of rights at the deepest, most fundamental level. In this...

Music expresses that which is inexpressible, or so the saying goes... Yet, in this newest episode, we managed to express so many things about music and its value in human life in the company of none other than Edmond Redd, whom you may know as the author of our Podcast Music. Edmond joins us in an exploration of what goes into creating a great musical composition. In what ways are an author's intention and thinking central to crafting the musical experience? And what role do emotions play and...

When it's time for children to pick up their first book, what should we expect them to learn from it?  Should children's books be confined to stories and themes that deal only with the familiar? Or can one take the risk of challenging children to think about more complex issues? And what does this all mean for their character development and success? Our guest this week is Sara Ghannoum, the author of the children’s book series Tom Alien, who discovers life on Earth and all the issues that...

You can also watch it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/KKNBKtV7Y10 Are etiquette and manners indispensable for one's moral learning?  If you go by how they are taught and perceived in our culture, certainly not: knowing which fork to use or how to properly sit in certain special situations may be important, but hardly essential. However, our guest this week is here to challenge this view. Join Samira Hammadi for an insight into etiquette and manners you've never heard of, where you'll not only...

You can also watch it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7Fbg3-3oqFM Have you ever felt that you lack the words or the method to fully appreciate the art you know you love? Have you found yourself wandering around a museum not knowing what to do, what to look at and how? Our guest in this episode is author and art expert Luc Travers, who not only joins us to put art appreciation on trial but will take you through a live experience where he will show you a unique and simple method to personally...

Design is everywhere: from the chair you are sitting on to the phone you are holding. But do we truly understand it? Is design just a skill you need for solving a job’s problem, or is it primarily a way of learning and living? How can design help us understand and develop our moral character? Join Leopold Ajami and Ricardo Pinto, with the show’s very first guest, Jonathan Steingiesser, as they put the idea of a design on trial.  Jonathan Steingiesser is head of design at Omnipresent, a...

One of the most important factors that can help you build a resilient character to face adversity and the uncertainty inherent in the future is the confidence that whatever facts you discover about yourself—flaws, errors, failures, basic struggles—you have the capacity to deal with that knowledge as it is without the need of pretending things are otherwise. For someone who is investing in their life and wants to see significant change for the better, truth—more specifically, what is...

Excited for Season 2 of Ideas On Trial? This season’s central theme is: How to build a character that helps you think, reason, and be confident about the future. For that purpose, we are taking topics from moral philosophy, art, music, creativity, A.I., physical fitness, and many more – that will help you uncover opportunities for building greater self-knowledge and resilience. Join Leopold Ajami and Ricardo Pinto in this first episode, as they grapple with the question of: Why is it...

This episode ends season 1 of "Ideas On Trial". Leopold Ajami and Ricardo Pinto take a listener's suggestion on what is their process for putting undisputed ideas on trial.  They accepted the challenge, and to do so,  reduced the process down to the two most essential questions to ask. Plus they explore a related undisputed idea that is critical to confront in order to reclaim ownership of our minds.  Thanks for listening to our podcast and see you in a couple of weeks.  Below the...

How important is failure? If you had to hear it from the voices of many successful athletes, businessmen, and other high achievers out there, you would get the impression that failure, apart from being quite unavoidable, is a fundamental learning experience in life. We've probably all been through failure, but is it really that central to your story? Do we risk losing a valuable lesson if we celebrate failure as such? Join Leopold Ajami and Ricardo Pinto to have a wide-ranging conversation...

Were you ever told to be a good listener? Such innocent idea is instilled in us from a young age, but we seldom hear anything substantial about the specific actions required to become a better listener. Leopold Ajami and Ricardo Pinto couldn't stay still with this idea in front of them, so in this new episode of {In-Focus} mini-series,  they set up a broad conversation about what state of mind and practical steps are involved in engaging your senses (and intellect) in conversation. And...

Remember the principle of 'show,  don't tell'?  As a didactic activity, most of us have fond memories of it, so much so that today we see the technique applied everywhere to areas as diverse as writing, sales, and storytelling. But is it possible that we've misconceived it this whole time? What if we've missed one crucial point that, without it, the principle fails to deliver?  In this new episode of the In-Focus miniseries, Leopold and Ricardo go through a wide-ranging conversation about...

We continue with our In-Focus mini-series. This time, we have a broad-ranging discussion on a neglected aspect of conversations: their role in nurturing self-respect. How many times have you let a conversation ebb and flow without being sure what the other person means by certain concepts? Does the fact that we both use the same word imply that we know it? Join us in discussing this hot epistemological topic, as we consider the practical and psychological consequences of not challenging the...

We are launching a new miniseries called In-Focus where we’ll be sharing with you some of the creative tools and practices we’re learning and developing in our work at Novel Philosophy Academy.  In this episode, we ask ourselves whether the most trivial conversation can give us any value for our creative thinking. If so, what practices does it entail? And what can we do concretely to make the most of any discussion? Here's the course 'Supersonic Creativity'...

What are the forces that accelerate and retard cultural change? What causes a society's demise? And more importantly, in the face of oppression, what can you do to promote a better direction? These are some of the questions taken by Leopold Ajami and Ricardo Pinto in this new episode of Ideas on Trial. Join us as we reflect on our lived experiences in Lebanon and Venezuela and discuss the issue of what one can do beyond merely voicing opposition to a regime. Support the show...

What is the mark of a good leader? According to many influential thinkers in business, a leader’s impact should not be measured on self-interested traits such as individual talent, ambition, or productivity. Rather, his primary value lies in how much he places himself to the service of his team.  What premises drive this idea of servant leadership? Why has it become so popularized?  Join Leopold Ajami and Ricardo Pinto in this episode to investigate the philosophical origins and lasting...

Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos' recent space flights mark a significant milestone that brings us closer to a new industry that was once a science-fiction dream. Yet, both prominent personalities and social media critics have reserved nothing but denunciation, hatred, and mockery towards Bezos and Branson. What explains this response? Do they deserve blame or celebration? If so, on what grounds? Join Leopold Ajami and Ricardo Pinto in this episode to explore the ideas and the framework that...

We often hear that everything in life should be taken in moderation. Indeed, so much of our planning and decisions seem to aim for a perfect balance, whether it's between work and life, in our exercise routine, or our sugar intake. But is moderation always the best policy? What can that mean? And if there is some good in it, what does it first depend on? Join  Leopold Ajami and Ricardo Pinto in a wide-ranging conversation about moderation, its appeal in the culture, and why treating it as a...

Speaking up demands having self-clarity about your needs and goals in a conversation. But once you make up your mind, by what method can you then proceed? Join Leopold Ajami and Ricardo Pinto in this new episode of Ideas on Trial as they discuss ways in which you can build your assertiveness by asking questions, so you can turn an "I don't agree" into an opportunity to express your voice and articulate your reasons. This is the  program we mentioned: Supersonic Creativity: an online +...

>> (In this episode, we announced the launch of our program: Supersonic Creativity: an online + mentorship program to help you boost your creative thinking using your conversations.  Check it out here: https://learn.novelphilosophy.academy/courses/supersonic-creativity We are offering our friends and listeners 35% OFF. Simply use this code upon checkout: NPA35OFF) Enjoy it :) To speak up or not! Have you ever regretted not speaking up in a critical situation? We've all been in that...

First job interviews are often a terrifying event for the inexperienced--and for many, a source of stress that never goes away. Why is that? Contrary to popular wisdom, problems with job interviews don't just happen because of an awkward situation or something you say during the interview. The trouble occurs much earlier: in our expectations of what we hope to get out of the interview itself. Join Leopold Ajami and Ricardo Pinto in an open discussion about this topic to learn about the...