In this episode, we explore René Girard's concept of mimetic desire, which posits that human desires are imitative, influenced by observing and emulating others, leading to rivalry and conflict. This idea is central to his interdisciplinary work, which explores how mimetic desire underpins social dynamics, violence, and the scapegoat mechanism. Des…

In this episode, we explore David Hume's Problem of Induction and its implication for scientific inquiry, epistemology and causation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we explore Epicurus, the ancient Greek philosopher who founded Epicureanism, offering a revolutionary view on death that continues to influence modern existential thought. Central to his philosophy is the assertion that "death is nothing to us." For Epicurus, this was not a mere dismissal of life's value but a profound statement ab…

In this episode, we explore Albert Camus, a pivotal figure in 20th-century French philosophy, who introduced the concept of "the absurd," a fundamental conflict inherent in the human condition. His philosophy asserts that life is devoid of intrinsic meaning, yet humans instinctively seek order and purpose, leading to an inevitable clash with the in…

In this episode, we explore the branch of philosophy known as philosophy of mind. We'll discuss famous thinkers on the subject, areas of inquiry as well as important theories. Lastly, we'll talk about the important implications of this field and its future development. Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

In this episode, we look the moral philosophy of one of the most influential thinkers in history, Confucius. We'll discuss his key concepts of Ren, Li and Junzi, his influence on Asian society and cultural values, as well as, the difference between his views and those of the Ancient Greek philosophers. Lastly, we'll talk about some of the criticism…

In this episode, we explore Michel Foucault's view of power, which diverge significantly from traditional theories that conceptualize power as a commodity or structure possessed by certain entities (e.g., the state, ruling classes). Power, in Foucault's view, is exercised rather than owned, manifesting itself through practices, institutions, and di…

In this episode, we'll explore Hannah Arendt's theory of totalitarianism. Hannah Arendt, a prominent 20th-century political theorist, explored the nature and origins of totalitarianism extensively. She argued that totalitarian regimes, exemplified by Nazi Germany and Stalinist Soviet Union, thrived on isolation, terror, and the eradication of indiv…

Aristotle's metaphysics, a foundational branch of Western philosophy, delves into the fundamental nature of reality, exploring concepts such as substance, essence, form, matter, and the causes of being. Through this inquiry, Aristotle establishes a comprehensive framework that addresses the relationships between potentiality and actuality, form and…

In this episode, we discuss John Searle's famous thought experiment, the "Chinese Room" and examine its implications for the theory of mind, AI and consciousness. Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.Par Jason Werch

Plato's definition of knowledge as "justified true belief" fits centrally into his broader theory of knowledge and his metaphysical framework. This definition is a crucial component of his epistemology, serving as a bridge between his metaphysical distinctions (between the world of Forms and the physical world) and his ethical and political theorie…

19th century German philosopher, Karl Marx, remains to this day one of philosophy's most influential thinkers. In this episode, we'll explore his main critiques of the capitalist mode of production. We'll also examine some of the main arguments against Marx's views, both economic and philosophical. If you enjoy this episode, consider checking out o…

In this episode, we explore the claim made in a recent Wall Street Journal opinion piece, entitled, "Be Thankful for High Drug Prices" that claims high drug prices in the US are what allow for new drug innovation and that other countries take advantage of this. We'll explore the economic quirks of the drug industry and look at some argument and evi…

In this episode, we'll answer a question that economists Tyler Cowen and Luigi Zingales attempted to answer in a mini-debate about 5 years ago: Are Google and Meta monopolies? While they had both had interesting answers, in this episode I'll explore a different take and also talk about the key issues policy-makers should be focused on. If you haven…

In this episode, we'll explore Derek Parfit, a prominent British philosopher renowned for his influential contributions to personal identity, ethics, and rationality. Best known for his seminal work "Reasons and Persons," Parfit's innovative ideas challenged conventional views on the nature of the self and moral philosophy. His profound insights, p…

In this episode, we'll explore the ethical views of Simone de Beauvoir, a prominent French existentialist philosopher. Her approach emphasizes the importance of freedom, responsibility, and the subjective experiences of individuals in ethical decision-making. De Beauvoir's work, particularly in "The Ethics of Ambiguity," challenges traditional ethi…

In this episode, we'll look at Modern Portfolio Theory, which revolutionized the field of investment portfolio management by introducing a quantitative framework for maximizing investment returns relative to risk. The theory emphasizes the importance of diversification, advocating for the creation of an 'efficient frontier' of optimal portfolios th…

In this episode, we explore the idea of fairness in the distribution of pay. We discuss the economic theory behind wage-setting and how it can help to answer whether wages are fair. Then we discuss how the cards might be stacked against some workers and why things may not be as fair as they seem. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more info…

In this episode we focus on John Stuart Mill, one of the most influential thinkers in the realm of liberty and individual rights. We'll explore Mill's revolutionary concepts of individual freedom, examining how he believed personal liberty should be balanced with the role of government in society. Join us as we navigate the intricate landscape of M…

Martin Heidegger was a German philosopher whose work is central to 20th-century continental philosophy, particularly within the fields of existentialism and phenomenology. His philosophy is primarily concerned with the nature of being and human existence. Heidegger sought to challenge traditional metaphysical notions, proposing instead a radical re…

You might have heard business news reports of the Fed raising or lowering interest rates to slow down or speed up the economy, but how does the Fed actually do this? Why do interest rates matter? What interest rate does the Fed even control? In this episode, we'll take a look at arguably the most important institution in the world and how it uses i…

Welcome to today's episode where we'll dive into the world of industrial policy, a tool governments use to give a boost to certain sectors of the economy. We'll explore how it can lead to exciting growth and innovation but also discuss why some folks are wary about its drawbacks. Get ready for a balanced take on this economic strategy that's shapin…

In this episode, we explore the philosophical concept of Determinism. The philosophical debate between determinism and free will grapples with a fundamental question: are our actions predetermined by a chain of prior events, or do we have the ability to choose freely? Determinism posits that every event, including human cognition and behavior, is c…

In this episode, we'll unpack the ideas of Robert Nozick, a towering figure of the 20th century who championed the cause of libertarianism. His views on the minimal state, individual rights, and critiques of redistribution have been subjects of passionate debate for decades. But like all profound ideas, they've also faced their share of criticisms.…

In this episode, we respond to the lovers of the free market with a chant, "Down with Capitalism!". Not really, but instead we do point out a number of capitalism's flaws and show that it isn't the "perfect" economic system that some people think it is. Join us as we uncover the dirty innards of capitalism and expose the weaknesses that lie beneath…

In this episode, we explore Friedrich Nietzsche's concept of the 'affirmation of life,' a principle that invites us to embrace existence in all its chaotic, beautiful, and sometimes painful entirety. Nietzsche challenges us to say 'yes' to life, not selectively, but wholly, accepting its joys, sorrows, triumphs, and tribulations with open arms. Ima…

In this episode, we explore the semi-recent price hikes in the fast food industry. Tiktokers and YouTubers have been bashing the company for raising prices, but sales for the company have never been stronger. Is this normal corporate profit maximization? Is this a case of Greedflation? Is the government trying to prevent us from being happy?? We'll…

In this episode, we are exploring the intriguing philosophical concept introduced by the 19th-century philosopher, Arthur Schopenhauer: "The World as Will" This pivotal idea posits that our world is twofold, consisting of the representation, the world as we perceive it, and the will, the world as it truly is, the inner essence driving all existence…

In this episode, we give all the reasons for capitalism being the best economic system out there. We not only give a description of how capitalist systems work, but all why they bring about efficiency, growth and innovation. If you're not a fan of capitalism, stay tuned for a further episode where we'll be exploring all the downsides of capitalism.…

John Locke, a prominent philosopher of the 17th century, is renowned for his profound contributions to political and moral philosophy. Among his many influential ideas, Locke's concept of property stands as a cornerstone of his philosophy. In this episode, we will explore Locke's notion of property, its significance in his philosophy, and its endur…

In this episode, we examine inflation: what is it, what causes it and how to fix it. We also talk about the strange case of the flailing Phillip's Curve and why unemployment hasn't been rising even though inflation has come down significantly. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

Ludwig Wittgenstein, a prominent philosopher of the 20th century, left a grandiose impact on philosophy with his groundbreaking work, the "Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus," published in 1921. Listen to find out what he meant by, "The limits of my language mean the limits of my world." Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more…

How to we know that one event happening causes the other? This is the question that puzzled 18th century Scottish philosopher David Hume. In this episode, we'll explore his profound thoughts on the matter and their implications for science. Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

In this episode, we’re going to break down the study of economics to the basics. Strip away money, prices and human psychology and what you get is simply one very big problem. This episode will hopefully help to simplify your understand of this complex subject and make you think more clearly about things going on in the world of economics. Hosted o…

Join us in this episode of our podcast as we delve into a critical aspect of China's economic landscape: its slowing economic performance. As China's rapid economic growth of previous decades begins to show signs of deceleration, questions arise about the factors contributing to this shift. One crucial lens through which we'll examine this issue is…

In today's episode, we delve deep into labor unions, with a special focus on SAG-AFTRA, one of the most influential unions in the entertainment industry. As we navigate the complex landscape of collective bargaining, wage negotiations, and the broader implications of union activities, we'll shed light on the pivotal role such organizations play in …

In this episode, we'll explore Daniel Dennett's views on consciousness. Dennett, a prominent American philosopher, writer, and cognitive scientist, has contributed significantly to the field of philosophy of mind. His views are multifaceted and complex, reflecting an effort to demystify what many consider to be one of the deepest and most enigmatic…

In this episode, we'll explore one of the most important essays in economic history, "The Use of Knowledge in Society" written by Friedrich Hayek. We'll talk about Hayek's perspective on decentralized systems, its implications for complex systems theory as well as some contemporary criticisms of his views. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for…

In this episode we'll explore the teaching of the Stoic philosophers. Stoicism was founded in Athens by Zeno of Citium in the early 3rd century BC. It had a profound influence on Roman culture, and through the writings of the Late Stoa philosophers, it has continued to influence Western thinking up to the present day. Support the Show. Hosted on Ac…

In this episode, we’ll be examining a recent news story that Florida is limiting foreigners and especially Chinese from buying property in the state. How should we view this current law and the broaderpoint of foreigners owning property or land in another country? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

In this episode, we're exploring the world of New Keynesian Economics, a theory that demonstrates how factors like sticky prices and rational expectations shape our economy. We'll take you on a journey through its core principles, real-world applications, and how it influences policy decisions - helping you understand why it's more relevant than ev…

In this episode we'll examine Russell's paradox, which is a set-theoretic paradox published by the British philosopher and mathematician Bertrand Russell in 1901. Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.Par Jason Werch

In this episode, we explore a philosophical topic in the field of economics, taking a look back at the history of the different theories of value. Value has always been at the heart of economics even while being a more abstract, difficult to measure notion. Our ideas about value have changed over time, but its significance for economic decision-mak…

In this episode, we'll examine the influential 17th century English philosopher Thomas Hobbes' views on free will. Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.Par Jason Werch

In this episode we explore the history and nature of taxes, the difference between a consumption and income tax and why some economists think that a consumption tax should replace income taxes as the main source of federal government revenue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

In this episode we explore the field of metaphysics, one of the main branches of philosophical thought, its focus of inquiry and why it's important. Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.Par Jason Werch

Should we worry about trade deficits? Do other countries take advantage of us when they export to us more goods than we export to them? In this episode we explore all the nuances of trade and trade deficits. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.Par Jason Werch

The episode delves into 18th century German philosopher Immanuel Kant's profound insights on knowledge, known as Transcendental Idealism. Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.Par Jason Werch

In this episode we examine 19th century Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard's conception of anxiety. Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.Par Jason Werch

This episode focuses on the 17th century philosopher and mathematician Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz's conception of time. Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.Par Jason Werch