Kierkegaard's Philosophical Fragments with Rob Wyllie & Matt Dinan
The New Thinkery
This week, Greg has locked David and Alex out of the recording room, and replaced them with Kierkegaard scholars Rob Wyllie & Matt Dinan. Together, they dive into Kierkegaard's Philosophical Fragments to examine what it means to become a self, whether truth can be received as a gift, and why Socrates might need a divine upgrade. It’s a lively exploration of paradox, passion, and the mysteries at the heart of religious existence.
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Eric Adler on Language Studies & "Decolonizing the Curriculum"
The New Thinkery
With the stock market tanking, Alex has fled the country to verify family artifacts are still in a vault in case we go back to bartering. Meanwhile, David and Greg have replaced him this week with The New Thinkery's most prolific guest, Eric Adler, professor of classics and chair of the department at the University of Maryland at College Park. The trio discuss Adler's latest article, , diving more into the future of language studies and the humanities in higher ed as colleges and universities race to eliminate what are often key, but misunderstood, pieces of higher ed...
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Jean Renoir's Rules of the Game
The New Thinkery
Jean Renoir’s Rules of the Game isn’t just a classic film—it’s a sharp critique of society, morality, and the masks we wear. In this episode, all three of the guys sit down to break down how the film exposes the illusions of class, love, and human nature, all under the guise of a lighthearted, bordering on flippant comedy that ends with a homicide. What does it say about the "rules" we still follow today? Listen in to find out!
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Patrick Callahan on Pindar
The New Thinkery
This week, a full complement of hosts is joined by Prof. Patrick Callahan, Assistant Professor of English and Humanities at St. Gregory the Great Seminary to discuss Pindar's The Odes. A Theban poet for hire, Pindar's works present some unique challenges in disentangling their true meaning, and what he was actually like. Fortunately, Prof. Callahan has spent years deciphering every line we have of Pindar, and walks the cast through how to best understand his works. Plus: the first Greek reading of a work on the show!
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Brian Chau on the Straussian Generation, Part III
The New Thinkery
Alex sits down with Brian Chau of for an extended discussion on a range of topics, from building up UATX, to the Online Right, to Strauss on reactionary thought and esoteric writing. The pair tackle it all. In this closing episode, Brian and Alex focus on interpretations of , including critique of the man himself, while also crediting him where academics have failed. Plus: Socrates' remarkable feat of remaining relevant for millennia across radically different cultures.
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Brian Chau on the Straussian Generation, Part II
The New Thinkery
Alex sits down with Brian Chau of for an extended discussion on a range of topics, from building up UATX, to the Online Right, to Strauss on reactionary thought and esoteric writing. The pair tackle it all. This week, the focus shifts to a look at Hobbesian philosophy and Machiavellianism.
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Brian Chau on the Straussian Generation, Part I
The New Thinkery
This week, Alex sits down with Brian Chau of for an extended discussion on a range of topics, from building up UATX, to the Online Right, to Strauss on reactionary thought and esoteric writing. The pair tackle it all. Plus, is Gen Z the most esoteric generation to date?
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Spencer Klavan on Epicureanism
The New Thinkery
A full complement of the guys are joined by Spencer Klavan, repeat offender on the show, host of Young Heretics, newly minted lecturer in the Classica and Languages programs at New College, associate editor at the Claremont Review of Books, and author most recently of . The group sit down to unpack the concept of epicureanism, its progenitor, and how it has expanded from a fringe philosophy of the ancient world into a belief system that governs nearly everyone, even if most people don't know it.
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Zena Hitz on Plato's Charmides
The New Thinkery
In this episode, the guys are all here, and joined by Zena Hitz of St. John's College. Together, the group dive into Plato’s Charmides. What does true wisdom look like? Can self-knowledge lead to a well-ordered soul? Listen in as the cast explore the dialogue’s reflections on temperance, philosophy, and the limits of human understanding. Plato’s insights offer a compelling perspective on the pursuit of wisdom in the modern world.
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Richard Velkley on Heidegger and Strauss
The New Thinkery
In this rerelease of The New Thinkery, the guys are back to help bring in the new year, and are joined by Dr. Richard Velkley, the Celia Scott Weatherhead Professor of Philosophy at Tulane University. They discuss Heidegger, Leo Strauss, and the underlying premises of philosophy. After you've heard the serious stuff, stick around for the lightning round Q&A at the end! Editor's note: please forgive the decreased audio quality of this episode. This was recorded before the guys had proper mics!
info_outlineIn this episode, the guys are all here, and joined by Zena Hitz of St. John's College. Together, the group dive into Plato’s Charmides. What does true wisdom look like? Can self-knowledge lead to a well-ordered soul? Listen in as the cast explore the dialogue’s reflections on temperance, philosophy, and the limits of human understanding. Plato’s insights offer a compelling perspective on the pursuit of wisdom in the modern world.