This conversation delves into the representation of Gotham City as a text, exploring its origins, meanings, and the semiotic analysis of its imagery. Dan, Richard, and John discuss the historical context of the term 'Gotham', its connections to urban design, and the dualities present in its narrative, particularly through the lens of Batman. They examine the architectural symbolism of Gotham, the role of myths and archetypes, and how these elements reflect societal fears and cultural codes....

In this conversation, The Spinoza Triad John Gibbs& Dr. Richard Miller discuss the film 'The Uglies' and its implications on contemporary culture, beauty standards, and the influence of technology on identity. The discussion delves into themes such as transhumanism, the motif of the frontier in storytelling, and the philosophical debates surrounding beauty and the sublime. They also examine the role of social media in shaping perceptions of beauty and the ethical dimensions of aesthetic...

In this episode, the Spinoza Triad, Dan Rowland, Dr. Richard Miller, and John Gibbs discuss Existentialism and some of the ideas of Jean-Paul Sartre. We explore how Existentialism emphasizes individual freedom and responsibility and how the anguish of existence is a central theme in Sartre's work. We conclude that while freedom can be both empowering and anxiety-inducing Existentialism offers insights into living in contemporary society. 00:00 Setting the Scene: Existentialism and Café...

In this episode of the Spinoza Triad, Dr. Richard Miller, Dan Rowland, and John Gibbs discuss how the life and death of Socrates might help us understand our current debate over the limits of free speech.

In this episode of the Spinoza Triad, Dr Richard Miller, Dan Rowland, and John Gibbs discuss Techno Feudalism by Yanis Varoufakis. The premise of this book is that capitalism was killed in 2008 and replaced by techno feudalism where consumers are serfs, producers are vassals and the kings are tech giants like Amazon and Google.

In this episode, the Spinoza Triad, Dr Richard Miller, John Gibbs, and Dan Rowland discuss the topic of fear. We start by reflecting on stoicism and later consider Satre, Hagel, Gramsci, Althusser, and Neil Postman.

In this episode Dr Richard Miller, Dan Rowland and John Gibbs discuss how philosophy has grappled with the problem of defining history. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-gibbs1/message

In this episode the Spinoza Triad, Dr. Richard Miller, Dan Rowland and John Gibbs, discuss the philosophy of truth and the post truth world. We discuss how philosophy might help us understand the rise of populi, social media, conspiracy theories and the privatisation of truth. We also discuss the possibilities of UFOs. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-gibbs1/message

In this episode, I interview my fellow Spinoza host Dr. Richard Miller. We discuss learning, schools, music, MMA, and philosophy. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-gibbs1/message

In this episode, Dan, Richard, and John discuss consciousness, intelligence, and AI. We discuss the Turing Test, the Chinese Room, and the future of AI. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-gibbs1/message

In this episode Richard and John discuss the first part of Friedrich Nietzsche's most poetic book, Thus Spake Zarathustra and as usual, we ask, what does it say to us today? --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-gibbs1/message

In this episode of the Spinoza Triad, John Gibbs and Dr. Richard Miller discuss their reading of Soren Kierkegaard's book Either, Or. Dan Rowland was unable to join us for this episode. Richard supplied the music. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-gibbs1/message

In this episode, Dr. Richard Miller and John Gibbs discuss the concept of evil, free will, and the possibility of world peace. If you could release a virus into the world which would make all humans peaceful- what would you do? --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-gibbs1/message

What does it mean to be me? Am I the same person at all times and will I be the same person in the future? In the Spinoza Triad, John Gibbs, Dr. Richard Miller, and Dan Rowland discuss the continuity of the self and Derek Parfit's famous 'Transporter Thought Experiment'. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/john-gibbs1/message

In this episode, Richard (Dr. Richard Miller) and I consider the appeal of the literature, films, and podcasts which focus on Psychopaths. We wonder what this might say about our world and if philosophy might help us to understand.  We share some ideas in a discussion covering many themes including popular culture, Kantian ethics, the nature of evil, and society. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/john-gibbs1/message

In this episode, Richard, Dan, and I discuss Nietzsche's famous thought experiment of eternal reoccurrence. Would you wish to live your life exactly as you have lived it, again and again for eternity? Would this be a curse or a blessing?  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/john-gibbs1/message

This is an introduction to the work and ideas of Mark Fisher which we discuss in more detail in our podcast- Capitalist Realism: Can we think beyond capitalism? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/john-gibbs1/message

In this episode, Richard introduces the Spinoza Triad to Mark Fisher's ideas and Capitalist Realism's ideas. Our discussion focuses on his and our experiences in education. We consider the state of British society, and the all-pervasive nature of capitalism and wonder if it is possible to imagine a different kind of world or would this be harder than imagining the end of the world. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/john-gibbs1/message

In this episode John  and Richard discuss a text which was referred to in an earlier podcast. 'De Rerum Natura'  -  'On the Nature of Things'. On of the most remarkable books ever written, On the Nature of Things' by the Roman author Lucretius was an influence on many of the greatest thinkers and artists in the last 2000 years. It was written in the first century BCE by a wealthy Roman as a means of explaining the philosophy of Epicurus to his fellow Romans and in poetic form it contains...

One of the hosts of The Spinoza Triad was a guest on the podcast Live From America. The discussion considered the UK / US 'Special Relationship', the difficulty the Brits have in understanding gun culture and the war in Ukraine. https://www.livefromamericapodcast.com/ The Top Experts / Thinkers Of The World And The Best Comics In The Nation, Get Together Weekly With Our Hosts To Discuss Different Topic Each Week. We Cover, News, Culture, Politics, Comedy And More With An Equal Parts Of...

In this episode Dr Richard Miller, Dan Rowland and John Gibbs wonder if the hit Netflix series Squid Game is more than a Marxist critique of capitalism. We discover there is more to it and enjoy discussing the series. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/john-gibbs1/message

Why Do People Fight for Their Servitude as If It Were Their Salvation? Spinoza In this episode of the Spinoza Triad John Gibbs, Dr Richard Miller and Dan Rowland are joined by Dougie Booth. Dougie is teaching at Kings College London and researching his PhD in Politics. We discuss the republican conception of freedom and Dougie's research into the impact of the pandemic and  climate change on democracy. Is this going to result in lasting change and the creation of new economic and political...

In this episode the Spinoza Triad, John Gibbs, Dan Rowland and Dr Richard Miller reflect on the experience of podcasting in 2021 and the themes which have emerged in our discussions. We wonder about the power of data, the media and the quest for meaning. How can we celebrate the sacred and profound in a world of carnival? We conclude that the creative process of learning may be some kind of answer. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/john-gibbs1/message

In this episode we discuss Plato's theory of Forms and consider if it is helpful in understanding art and beauty today. The theory of Forms or theory of Ideas is a philosophical, concept, or world-view, that the physical world is not as real or true as timeless, absolute, unchangeable ideas of forms. How can this theory be useful in our post modern world? Do we still have any belief in universal truth? This is the basis of our discussion. --- Send in a voice message:...