We continue with our discussion of Jerzy Kosinski's novel, Being There, at the point where "Chauncey Gardiner" meets EE by accident and gets mistaken for a wealthy and handsome businessman. … More An Empty Signifier Makes an Ideal Lover (Being There, Part 3)

Jerzy Kosinski's "Being There" satirizes American democracy and the influence of electronic media on society. The video reviews the novel's initial chapters, which inspired a film featuring Peter Sellers and Shirley MacLaine. Additional resources include the Maurin Academy's podcasts and social media for updates on classes and events. … More Victim or Boss? Depends on Your Perspective (Being There, Part 2)

We begin a new series inspired by Jerzy Kosinski's classic novel, Being There (1971). Being There is a satirical and allegorical tale about the adventures of Chance, a simple gardener who has previously lived a sheltered life saturated with television as his main source of human contact. Chance is thrown into the media spotlight by accident, propelling him to the top echelons of American politics, as people read wisdom into everything he says. … More From Gardener to Politician: The Impact of Media in ‘Being There’ (1)

This is a segment of an hour long lecture followed by a Q & A session for patrons of the Maurin Academy. To get the entire course and all the courses, reading groups and our lecture series, support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/maurinacademy … More Thomas Aquinas’s Natural Law Theory: Brief Explanation (Aristotle’s Virtue Ethics Public Segment #4)

This is a segment of an hour long lecture followed by a Q & A session for patrons of the Maurin Academy. To get the entire course and all the courses, reading groups and our lecture series, support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/maurinacademy … More The Quality of Friendships: Does it Matter for Politics? Aristotle’s Virtue Ethics Public Segment #3

This is a segment of an hour long lecture followed by a Q & A session for patrons of the Maurin Academy. To get the entire course and all the courses, reading groups and our lecture series, support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/maurinacademy … More Introduction to Aristotle’s Virtue Ethics, Public Segment #2: The Mean Between Extremes

Starting June 19, the Maurin Academy will host a class by Deacon Chris May on Ivan Illich. Here Deacon May discusses who Illich was and why we should know more about him. … More Introduction to Ivan Illich: A New Maurin Academy Class Starting June 17

We finish up Federalist 51 and end the series on Federalist 10 and 51, the basics of American Political Thought. … More The Relationship Between Freedom and Justice (Federalist 51, Part 3)

In Federalist 51, the author asserts that the legislative branch is always the strongest branch in a republic. Why, and is this true? The founders wanted a government that helped people enjoy their liberty, but has the definition of liberty changed? … More American Liberty: How Is It Secured? (Federalist 51 Part 2)

The American founders were concerned about one branch of government becoming too powerful and trampling on the freedoms of Americans by suppressing the other branches' freedom. Here Madison or Hamilton (which one is not clear) discusses how the new constitution tries to reduce the chances of this happening through separation of powers and checks and balances. … More Are Checks and Balances Necessary in the US Constitution? (Federalist 51, Part 1)

James Madison tried hard to faction-proof the US Constitution, but he did not anticipate the effects of instant media and the massification of modern populations. … More Madison Would Be Surprised — and Disappointed (Federalist 10, Part 4)

Madison devoted the majority of Federalist paper #10 to the dangers of a violent majority faction and corrupt demagogues. In this part of the paper, we see Madison hoping that a large republic will prevent such a faction from existing, or if it exists, will blunt its ability to tyrannize over the rest of the citizens. … More Did Madison Foresee the Demise of Democracy? (Federalist 10, Part 3)

Laurie continues her series of Federalist 10 and 51. This is the second video on Federalist 10, heading into how to handle the effects of a violent faction of the majority. … More James Madison Warns Against Violent Majority Factions & Demagogues (Federalist 10, Part 2)

You can find out more about this reading group and the ways to join here: https://pmaurin.org/reading-dialectic-of-enlightenment-with-jakob-hanschu/ Support us on Patreon at any level and get in on Jakob's reading group and more: https://patreon.com/maurinacademy … More New Dialectic of Enlightenment Reading Group Starting March 19, 2025

Laurie begins a short series on Federalist 10 and 51, untangling the antiquated language of these important writings by the American founders having to do with important constitutional principles such as the separation of powers and checks and balances. She starts with Federalist 10 and the question of how to stop violent factions from overtaking a liberal democracy. … More Federalist 10 Deciphered: Madison on the Dangers of Factions and the Separation of Powers (Part 1)

Laurie discusses Plato's view of democracy--its strengths and weaknesses, particularly its vulnerability to demagogues--and what he thought about other types of regimes. Pardon the reverberation on this recording! … More What Did Plato Say About Democracy and Demagogues?

You're lucky Laurie isn't ending that sentence the way Kendrick does. Get Laurie's book, The Gap in God's Country in hardcover, paperback and kindle/e-edition. Kindle: https://a.co/d/9m0zrg8 … More HUMBLE IS What We Need – Sit Down!

Laurie discusses some plans for guest speakers, her new Great Books reading group, and plans for the channel. … More Coming Up: The Maurin Academy Speaker Series and Beyond

Dr. Laurie M. Johnson discussing themes from her new book, subtitled A Longer View On Our Culture Wars, focusing on solving political disputes. This session dealt with direct action vs. the charity model. Get the book: https://a.co/d/9sJwfDe Kindle: https://a.co/d/9m0zrg8 … More Direct Action vs. Liberal Charity (Gap in God’s Country Segment from Session5 )

Spencer and Laurie talk with Benjamin Studebaker about his new book, Legitimacy in Liberal Democracies. Studebaker will give a speech for the Maurin Academy March 3, 2025. Maurin Academy Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/maurinacademy … More Gazing Into the Abyss of Deep Pluralism (w/ Benjamin Studebaker) Dustbowl Diatribes SO 3, Ep. 27