Into the world of René Descartes, the 17th-century French philosopher who famously declared "I think, therefore I am". Explore his radical method of doubt, questioning everything from dreams to the possibility of an evil demon. Unpack his revolutionary idea of mind-body dualism, and discover why this rationalist thinker still sparks debate today.
Explore the revolutionary mind of Sir Isaac Newton, born in Woolsthorpe. Discover his groundbreaking laws of motion and gravity, the invention of calculus, and his belief in empiricism, gaining knowledge through experience. Uncover the secrets behind this influential figure of the scientific revolution.
Delve into the world of Thomas Hobbes, the 17th-century philosopher shaped by the English Civil War. Explore his concepts of the state of nature, a chaotic existence driven by self-interest and fear, and the social contract, where individuals surrender freedoms for the security of a powerful sovereign. Discover why Hobbes advocated for absolute authority to escape the "nasty, brutish, and short" reality
Explore the revolutionary ideas of Francis Bacon, who advocated for inductive reasoning and the scientific method based on observation. Learn about his influential concept of the four idols – Tribe, Cave, Marketplace, and Theater – that hinder clear understanding. Discover why Bacon famously declared that knowledge is power.
What was Thomas More's intention in writing Utopia? This is a complex question. The book is playful, elusive, satirical, serious, and politically charged. Definitively understanding More's intentions is impossible because the work is infinitely interpretable.
Explore Machiavelli's controversial political philosophy. Uncover his ideas on virtù, fortuna, and realism, and how they challenge traditional morality in leadership. Was he truly encouraging cruelty, or simply acknowledging the necessary evils of governance?
Thomas Aquinas, a medieval Italian philosopher, combined Aristotelianism and Christian theology He posited that everything possesses some goodness Aquinas also believed humans have the capacity to learn without divine intervention Humans have intellect and will, but flawed reasoning can lead them away from true happiness, which he equated with a reunion with God
St. Augustine sought to unite faith and philosophy in a world of paganism and rhetoric. Discover how his personal journey from a morally ambiguous life to Christian sainthood shaped his thinking. Explore his belief that faith is the ultimate path to truth, influencing his views on original sin, predestination, and the nature of understanding.
We explore Aristotle's views on governance, justice, and the ideal state. Focusing on his belief in the importance of virtue and the common good, this episode delves into his political theory, emphasizing how a well-ordered society fosters human flourishing.
Explores philosophical dilemmas posed by Zeno of Elea, particularly paradoxes challenging the nature of reality, motion, and truth. It delves into the limitations of human perception and the complexities of defining absolute truths, questioning the very foundation of our understanding of existence.
Diving into the allegory of the cave, where prisoners mistake shadows for reality. It explores themes of enlightenment, perception, and the journey toward understanding the true nature of existence, challenging individuals to break free from illusions and grasp deeper truths.