Interview: Diana Schaub on Lincoln's Lyceum Address | The New Thinkery Ep. 84
Release Date: 02/23/2022
Devin Stauffer on Leo Strauss' Natural Right & History, Chapter 4
The New Thinkery
This week, David has once again died, but Alex and Greg have brought back Dr. Devin Stauffer, Professor and Associate Chair of Government at the University of Texas at Austin. Together, the group dive into chapter four of Leo Strauss' Natural Right and History. Stauffer unpacks Strauss' critique of relativism, his reflections on modernity, and his arguments for the enduring relevance of classical natural right. Whether you're new to Strauss or a seasoned reader, join the guys for a nuanced discussion about truth, morality, and the challenges of living in a postmodern world through thoughtful...
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Christopher Nadon On Classical Education and Why Kids Can't Read Good No More
The New Thinkery
This week, Alex and Greg meet up at UATX and are joined by Dr. Christopher Nadon, Associate Professor of Government at Claremont McKenna College and teacher of Western Civilization and humanities at Emet Classical Academy in New York. The group touch on Allan Bloom's The Closing of the American Mind before delving into Dr. Nadon's experience with just how far American students have fallen academically in recent decades. But not all hope is lost, as the group also discuss potential solutions to the rot infesting the American education system. Recommended reading:
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Steven Lenzner & Svetozar Minkov on Strauss' Debate with Jacob Klein
The New Thinkery
This week, the guys are back and joined once again by Steven Lenzner & Svetozar Minkov to further discuss their latest edited volume, , which serves as the backdrop for this episode. This time around, the group primarily analyze Strauss' debate with Jacob Klein before turning to a quick look at what the editors think are the top five essays in their volume, and more!
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Steven Lenzner & Svetozar Minkov on the Intention of Rousseau
The New Thinkery
This week, David has been brought back from the dead, but that didn't stop Greg and Alex from bringing two guests on for the show this week: Steven Lenzner & Svetozar Minkov. The two have a new volume out that collects Strauss' essays that had previously been circulated mostly in scattered, one-off PDFs online. The group discuss the process of collecting the works, before turning to Strauss' thoughts on the intentions of Rousseau, and close with a teaser for next week!
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Panel: Leo Strauss on Plato's Symposium, Part II
The New Thinkery
Happy New Year from The New Thinkery! This week concludes the Leo Strauss on Plato's Symposium panel from two weeks ago. The group jumps right into it with questions on tragedy and comedy, explores the definition of eros, and more, before wrapping up with the tiny little question, "what is philosophy?" If you haven't already, to better understand the questions posed in this episode!
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Adam Carrington on John Ford's Three Godfathers
The New Thinkery
In this special Christmas edition, Greg and Alex delve into John Ford’s poignant Western, Three Godfathers. A tale of redemption, faith, and the enduring spirit of the holiday season, the film offers a unique lens on themes of sacrifice and grace. We’re joined by Professor Adam Carrington, who brings his thoughtful perspective to this timeless story. Together, we reflect on its meaning and why it resonates as a holiday classic, despite westerns not typically being associated with Christmas. You can get more of Prof. Carrington's thoughts by reading his review of Three...
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Panel: Leo Strauss on Plato's Symposium, Part I
The New Thinkery
This week, Greg and David take a break and let Alex do the talking, joined by multiple respected academics as the group gather to discuss Strauss' views on Plato's symposium, in part informed by panelist Rasoul Namazi and Svetozar Minkov's latest book, Leo Strauss on Religion: Writings and Interpretations. This episode includes an homage to Christopher Bruell, who passed away just prior to the panel taking place, the opening talks of the panelists, and the beginning of back and forth discussion with moderator Hannes Kerber. Next week's episode will be focused on Christmas, but the...
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Roosevelt Montás on the Virtues of a Liberal Education
The New Thinkery
Is the ideal of a liberal education still achievable in the modern era? Roosevelt Montás, celebrated author and scholar at Columbia University, joins Greg and Alex to examine both its enduring virtues and its shortcomings. Together, the group discuss how a liberal education fosters critical thinking and civic engagement, why it faces resistance, and how it might grow to better serve today’s learners. Check out ACTC's in 2025! If you want to meet all three of this episode's personalities in person, they'll all be at the upcoming in April. Greg might buy you a coffee if you find him...
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Thomas Powers on the Civil Rights Movement
The New Thinkery
Join the guys, minus David who has inexplicably gone missing, for an empassioned conversation with Carthus College's Professor Thomas Powers of Carthus College, and author of , as he explores both the successes and challenges of the new civil rights regime. From promoting equality to navigating unintended societal shifts, we unpack how this framework shapes modern multiculturalism, identity, and justice in America. This episode invites listeners to rethink the evolving ideals of civil rights and their impact on our society today.
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Samuel Stoner on Kant’s Conjectural Beginnings and the Story of Genesis
The New Thinkery
This week, Professor Samuel Stoner steps in for David and helps guide Alex and Greg through Immanuel Kant's thought-provoking short essay Conjectural Beginnings of Human History, where philosophy and religious thought intersect in a speculative retelling of Genesis. The group explore Kant's imaginative account of humanity's emergence from instinct to reason, the birth of moral consciousness, and the challenges of freedom in the earliest stages of civilization.
info_outlineIn this President's Day edition of The New Thinkery, the guys are joined by Professor Diana Schaub, who teaches at Loyola University Maryland, and specializes in Lincoln. Together, the group discuss Lincoln's Lyceum Address and what Lincoln thought of himself as extracted from the text.
Shoutout to Davenant Hall for sponsoring!