Episodes
What defines the modern American right? Matt McManus argues we should understand the movement as fundementally about hierarchy, we then get into a general conversation about the Biden administration and the direction of the US Left.
Published 04/28/24
Published 04/28/24
Kevin Vallier returns to the podcast to breakdown the lastest intelectual movement on the relgious right - intergralism. What is it, where did it come from, and what should liberals and conservatives make of it?
Published 04/28/24
I'm joined by Amanda Podany, author of Weavers, Scribes, and Kings, to chat all things Ancient Near East. From her 'microhistory' method, to the culture, religion, gender norms, politics, and even food of the period. (After a longish pause in episodes I'm coming back with two at once!)
Published 07/22/23
After a content creation sabbatical, the podcast is back! Friend of the Podcast Philip Pettit returns to discuss his latest book - the State - we discuss his genealogy of norms, laws, and nations.
Published 07/22/23
I'm Joined by Jonathan Jowlands for an in-depth discussion of historical Jesus research. We cover the history of the 'quest' and the different worldviews we both bring to it. Jonathan lays out a view for including theological perspectives, and I defend a 'history only' approach.
Published 12/19/22
Why did democrats exceed expectations in the midterms, and what does that mean for America's increasingly unstable democracy? I give some overall reactions and analysis in this solo episode.
Published 11/22/22
I'm joined by Virginia Mantouvalou to discuss her upcoming book on worker's rights. We look at how state rules and regulations can make workers at risk of explotation, and the role of human rights in addressing these injustices.
Published 10/31/22
An extended episode in which I take on one of the most significant historical mysteries of all time: What happened at, and after, the death of Jesus? What did Paul see, or claim to have seen? How and why the gospel accounts differ, and my best guess on the reality behind it all.
Published 10/11/22
I'm joined by Alfred Mele to discuss his latest book - Free Will: An Opinionated guide. We cover how philosophers think about these issues and some common examples, then discuss our general thoughts on both compatibilism and libertarian free will.
Published 09/25/22
A blockbuster all-in-one-take listener questions episode covering the queen, Mark's gospel, Liz Truss, reconciling individualism with social justice, & the midterms.
Published 09/11/22
An in-depth deep dive into how we might deduce the time of writing of the anonymous, undated, genre-defying documents we call the four canonical gospels.
Published 06/07/22
A deep dive into J S Mill's relationship with socialism with Helen McCabe. We cover Mill's moral foundations, pre-Marxian Socialism, the nature and history of liberalism and socialism, their interpretation today, and if Mill's vision is a realizable one. Website: https://www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PoliticalPhilosophyPodcast
Published 04/22/22
A deep dive into the philosophy of reparations with Olúfẹmi O. Táíwò. We cover the context & questions asked, Rawls, Nozick, arguments for equality, & harm repair vs constructivst accounts of reparations. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKq83FUsCIM&t=3365s
Published 04/01/22
I'm joined by Joel Baden to discuss the theological and moral system behind the sacrifice laws in Leviticus, as well the history and composition of the Pentateuch. Watch this interview on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmTP8SeQuco&t=2694s
Published 02/20/22
An interview I did on the Elucidations Podcast. The episode is an introduction to J S Mil''s political philosophy; who he was, his place in the liberal tradition, the liberty principle, and utility vs rights based approaches to liberal pluralism.
Published 01/30/22
A back and forth interview with Jack Symes of the Panpsycast Philosophy podcast on his new book Philosophers on Consciousness: Talking about the Mind. We start with our reflections on doing public philosophy and how we respond to criticism, the move on to the philosophy of consciousness. We end with a discussion of how we think about our minds might impact our thoughts on morality and I'm challenged with a trolley problem: One human being vs five Vulcans who think, but do not feel pleasure...
Published 01/30/22
For the last episode of 2021 I take on audience questions on political elites, islamic terrorism, orthodox marxism, and the US left and Joe Biden.
Published 12/31/21
I'm joined by Noah Feldman to discuss his latest book The Broken Constitution. We discuss how the American constitution was made in debates and compromises over slavery and remade by Lincoln.
Published 11/30/21
Robert Talisse returns to the podcast to discuss his latest book - Sustaining democracy. We also discuss liberalism and the role of imagination in politics (and this time we agree!)
Published 11/29/21
American technology policy expert Alec Ross joins the podcast the discuss the future of the world economy and the political risks of failing to address inequality and concentrations of corporate power.
Published 10/31/21
Why do theories of the end of the political and economic order feel so intuitive to some people, and so unintuitive to others? I draw on early Christian history and dehumanization theory to create a novel account.
Published 10/31/21
Magdi Semrau joins me to discuss the politics of covid. Are the many restrictions due to the pandemic philosophically justifiable? Why have the political left and political right interpreted the crisis so differently and what does this tell us about the nature of conservatism and the future of liberalism?
Published 09/16/21
Is modern social justice activism a threat to free speech, or the project of liberal democracy more broadly? Thomas Prosser and I offer differing interpretations of this new ideological project.
Published 09/10/21
A short promo episode for my first book- 'What is Freedom? conversations with Historians, Philosophers, & Activists' published with OUP, out November, and available to pre-order now.  Featuring a foreword by Cecile Fabre and an introduction by me, the book includes contributions from Elizabeth Anderson, Mary Frances Berry, Ian Dunt, Michael Freeden, Nancy Hirschmann, Omar Khan, Dale Martin, Orlando Patterson, Phillip Pettit, John Skorupski, Peter Tatchell, and Zephyr Teachout. Pre-order...
Published 09/01/21