Becoming Human
Becoming Human with the philosopher Samuel Loncar is a show for a species in crisis. Series 1: Origins, tells the story of the atheistic revolution, beginning with Socrates and Jesus, that made the modern world. Series 2: Apocalypse, explores the embers and ashes of the posthuman present in search of a new world. Between these long-form, solo series, enjoy Explorations: journeys into time, culture, art, and history, encountering the mystery of the Human in conversations and free-standing episodes.
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Philosophy, Roomba, and Taco Carts: A Conversation with Chef Arturo Franco Camacho, Explorations, Ep. 5
02/16/2024
Philosophy, Roomba, and Taco Carts: A Conversation with Chef Arturo Franco Camacho, Explorations, Ep. 5
Chef Arturo Franco Camacho is the Culinary Director and Executive Chef of three of New Haven’s best restaurants: Geronimo’s Southwestern Kitchen, Shell & Bones Oyster Bar, and Camacho Garage. His restaurants are not only a destination for great food but fantastic atmosphere. Trained at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), the world’s premiere culinary college, he has worked as a chef at restaurants in Spain, France, and London, and spent five years as chef aboard the world’s top cruise ship, the Queen Elizabeth II. In this conversation, Chef Franco talks about his love of cooking with his mom and grandmother in Mexico at an early age, his brief time in dentist’s school, his travels around the world, and how, despite training and working in top kitchens, he was denied work in Hew Haven as a chef, which lead him to create New Haven’s first taco cart on Yale’s campus.
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Scientific Facts and How They Grow: Science as Self-Subverting Tradition
01/26/2024
Scientific Facts and How They Grow: Science as Self-Subverting Tradition
Science is the only tradition that actively admits its own errors, gaining deeper knowledge by overcoming its tendency to orthodoxy. This happens when scientific revolutions shatter existing paradigms. The process begins with anomalies, potential facts that do not fit the paradigm. The physicist Sabine Hossenfelder sees many anomalies in current physics, and argues that physics today has lost its way because physics has followed the wrong rules, rules of beauty rather than rules proper to science. Hossenfelder’s intervention in physics illustrates the profound relevance of Thomas Kuhn’s discussion of rules and facts in science. Kuhn explores how scientific facts grow and change, how fact and theory are finally inseparable, and how debates about the rules of science emerge in revolutionary periods, like our own. I use Hossenfelder in conversation with Kuhn’s “The Priority of Paradigms” in Ep. 6 of my series to show facts are far more complex than we realize, and this is why today our partisanship manifests as a world of no shared facts. Science shows the way forward. Episode 6, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions: An Introduction
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Things Ancient and New: The Logic of Scientific Discovery in Thomas Kuhn
01/12/2024
Things Ancient and New: The Logic of Scientific Discovery in Thomas Kuhn
According to Thomas Kuhn, the most mature sciences have only a limited tolerance for novelty. Contrary to the common image of scientific progress as a continuous series of discoveries, Kuhn shows it’s actually the progress of paradigms towards ever greater precision. Progress in normal science thus does not aim at novelty but the enrichment of the depth and concreteness of the theory. Drawing on the the insights of Edward Witten’s defense of string theory, Episode 5 of Kuhn: The Structure of Scientific Revolutions explores the concept of novelty and discovery in Section IV: “The Nature of Normal Science.”
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Can Science Be Complete? Thomas Kuhn, Progress, and the Eschatology of Science
12/22/2023
Can Science Be Complete? Thomas Kuhn, Progress, and the Eschatology of Science
The longing for a complete science is one of the great dreams of modernity. Is such a complete science possible, and can Kuhn’s idea of a paradigm help us realize it? This episode explores the origins and power of the search for completeness and unity in Western science, and reveals the unexpected spiritual origins of this ideal. Ep. 4, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions: An Introduction
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What is a Paradigm? Normal Science and Pseudo-Science
12/15/2023
What is a Paradigm? Normal Science and Pseudo-Science
Thomas Kuhn coined the concept of a paradigm to describe the unique achievement of science. Since Kuhn, the terms “paradigm” and “paradigm shift” have entered into popular culture, but what really is a paradigm? How does it connect to normal science? And can it help us distinguish real science from pseudo-science? All these questions, and more, are explored in this episode of my series on Kuhn. Episode 3, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions: An Introduction
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The Revolution is History: Kuhn and the History of Science
12/08/2023
The Revolution is History: Kuhn and the History of Science
Thomas Kuhn argued that history would change our image of science, causing a revolution we are still unprepared to face. This Kuhnian revolution challenges traditional epistemology by arguing we must look to science itself to understand how knowledge develops, and looking to science demands facing history. This episode of my course on Kuhn’s The Structure of Scientific Revolutions explores these issues, and more.
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Thomas Kuhn's The Structure of Scientific Revolutions: An Introduction
12/01/2023
Thomas Kuhn's The Structure of Scientific Revolutions: An Introduction
What is Science? What happened in the Scientific Revolution? How does Science progress? Thomas Kuhn’s The Structure of Scientific Revolutions is the most influential book in the history and philosophy of science, addressing these and other key questions. This public series offers an introduction to this major work and includes a discussion of Kuhn's core ideas: paradigm shifts, normal and revolutionary science, and more.
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How to Become an Individual: The Eternal in Kierkegaard
10/27/2023
How to Become an Individual: The Eternal in Kierkegaard
On Nov. 11, 1855, after an astoundingly rich yet brief life, Søren Aabye Kierkegaard died. He requested his epitaph read simply: “That Individual.” The “single individual” is the soul of Kierkegaard’s work, but what does it mean to become an individual? This final episode of Kierkegaard: The Poet of Existence, explores the mystery of freedom and true individuality, and how they relate to the Eternal. COURSE RELEASE 8pm EST 10.27.2023 Course Link: Course Code: BECOMINGHUMANWITHSK Series Description Søren Kierkegaard, the Danish philosopher and religious thinker, created one of the most consequential bodies of writing in human history. One of the greatest literary writers, he is also widely regarded as the most important philosophers and theologians to create much of the 20th century: movements like existentialism, modern theology, and even forms of modern nihilism can be traced back to the work of Kierkegaard. Kierkegaard is known as a delightful and difficult figure; like Socrates, he is ironic and hard to understand. He is also my first great teacher, so to honor his personal and historical influence, I am doing an 8 episode series on Søren Kierkegaard: The Poet of Existence.
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October 7: Why Antisemitism is a Global Philosophical Problem and an Existential Crisis
10/17/2023
October 7: Why Antisemitism is a Global Philosophical Problem and an Existential Crisis
As a philosopher and scholar who writes about Christian-Jewish relations and modern German thought, I offer in this lecture an analysis of antisemitism as a philosophical problem, show its global scope, and explore its historical and existential significance as a threat to any vision of universal human flourishing. Referenced Materials
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Existential Ontology, Consumer Capitalism, & The Religious Stage | The Poet of Existence, Ep. 7
10/10/2023
Existential Ontology, Consumer Capitalism, & The Religious Stage | The Poet of Existence, Ep. 7
Kierkegaard's theory of the three stages of life, the aesthetic, ethical, and religious offers profound insight into the existential realities of human life. Building on the prior two episodes on the aesthetic and ethical stages, this episode explores the meaning of the religious phase by exhibiting existential ontology in relationship to sexual and erotic desire, consumer capitalism, and humans' habit of turning people, including themselves, into mere things. Purchase Code: BECOMINGHUMAN | Series Description Søren Kierkegaard, the Danish philosopher and religious thinker, created one of the most consequential bodies of writing in human history. One of the greatest literary writers, he is also widely regarded as the most important philosophers and theologians to create much of the 20th century: movements like existentialism, modern theology, and even forms of modern nihilism can be traced back to the work of Kierkegaard. Kierkegaard is known as a delightful and difficult figure; like Socrates, he is ironic and hard to understand. He is also my first great teacher, so to honor his personal and historical influence, I am doing an 8 episode series on Søren Kierkegaard: The Poet of Existence.
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Kierkegaard's Theory of Stages: Fear and Trembling & The Ethical Stage | The Poet of Existence, Ep. 6
09/22/2023
Kierkegaard's Theory of Stages: Fear and Trembling & The Ethical Stage | The Poet of Existence, Ep. 6
Fear and Trembling is the most famous book by Kierkegaard, but to understand it we have to understand his theory of stages. This episode explores the ethical stage and illustrates it through Fear and Trembling and Judge Wilhelm of Either /Or. Additional topics covered include esotericism in philosophy, romantic marriage, the erotic sphere, the religious stage, and Kierkegaard’s concept of the Self as an achievement. Series Description Søren Kierkegaard, the Danish philosopher and religious thinker, created one of the most consequential bodies of writing in human history. One of the greatest literary writers, he is also widely regarded as the most important philosophers and theologians to create much of the 20th century: movements like existentialism, modern theology, and even forms of modern nihilism can be traced back to the work of Kierkegaard. Kierkegaard is known as a delightful and difficult figure; like Socrates, he is ironic and hard to understand. He is also my first great teacher, so to honor his personal and historical influence, I am doing an 8 episode series on Søren Kierkegaard: The Poet of Existence.
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Kierkegaard's Theory of Stages: The Aesthetic Stage | The Poet of Existence, Ep. 5
05/24/2023
Kierkegaard's Theory of Stages: The Aesthetic Stage | The Poet of Existence, Ep. 5
Kierkegaard is famous for his theory of the three stages on life's way, the aesthetic, the ethical, and the religious. Though much discussed, the stages are enigmatic and confusing to many readers. This episode outlines the nature of the theory of stages in its profound significance, and it introduces the aesthetic phase and its emphasis on possibility and seduction. Series Description Søren Kierkegaard, the Danish philosopher and religious thinker, created one of the most consequential bodies of writing in human history. One of the greatest literary writers, he is also widely regarded as the most important philosophers and theologians to create much of the 20th century: movements like existentialism, modern theology, and even forms of modern nihilism can be traced back to the work of Kierkegaard. Kierkegaard is known as a delightful and difficult figure; like Socrates, he is ironic and hard to understand. He is also my first great teacher, so to honor his personal and historical influence, I am doing an 8 episode series on Søren Kierkegaard: The Poet of Existence.
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Kierkegaard and the Irony of Existence: From Existentialism to Modernism | The Poet of Existence: Ep. 4
04/14/2023
Kierkegaard and the Irony of Existence: From Existentialism to Modernism | The Poet of Existence: Ep. 4
On Sept 29 1841, Søren Kierkegaard defended a genre-bending dissertation at the University of Copenhagen. Both rigorous scholarship and dazzling literary genius, Kierkegaard’s The Concept of Irony, with Continual Reference to Socrates is the first major work in Kierkegaard’s authorship. Laying the foundation for his future pseudonymous works, the dissertation explores the importance of irony in his time, and the lecture shows how the importance of Kierkegaard’s work on irony is connected to existentialism, modernism, and the challenge of human existence today. Series Description Søren Kierkegaard, the Danish philosopher and religious thinker, created one of the most consequential bodies of writing in human history. One of the greatest literary writers, he is also widely regarded as the most important philosopher and theologian to create much of the 20th century: movements like existentialism, modern theology, and even forms of modern nihilism can be traced back to the work of Kierkegaard. Kierkegaard is known as a delightful and difficult figure; like Socrates, he is ironic and hard to understand. He is also my first great teacher, so to honor his personal and historical influence, I am doing an 8 episode series, Soren Kierkegaard: The Poet of Existence.
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Kierkegaard and Existentialism: A Spiritual Revolution | The Poet of Existence: Ep. 3
03/07/2023
Kierkegaard and Existentialism: A Spiritual Revolution | The Poet of Existence: Ep. 3
Welcome to Episode Three: Kierkegaard and Existentialism: A Spiritual Revolution, where I explore the complex character of Existentialism as a spiritual revolution connected to ancient philosophy. Often called the "Father of Existentialism," Kierkegaard is essential for understanding the rise of Existentialism, its nature, and why it has so deeply shaped our culture. Our culture has accepted Existentialism intellectually, but rejected it existentially. The episode shows how Kierkegaard illuminates the meaning of our own time. Series Description Søren Kierkegaard, the Danish philosopher and religious thinker, created one of the most consequential bodies of writing in human history. One of the greatest literary writers, he is also widely regarded as the most important philosopher and theologian to create much of the 20th century: movements like existentialism, modern theology, and even forms of modern nihilism can be traced back to the work of Kierkegaard. Kierkegaard is known as a delightful and difficult figure; like Socrates, he is ironic and hard to understand. He is also my first great teacher, so to honor his personal and historical influence, I am doing an 8 episode series, Soren Kierkegaard: The Poet of Existence.
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The Genius of Kierkegaard | The Poet of Existence: Ep. 2
12/06/2022
The Genius of Kierkegaard | The Poet of Existence: Ep. 2
Welcome to Episode Two: The Genius of Kierkegaard, where I explore the idea of genius, our discomfort and fascination with it, and why genius is important for understanding Kierkegaard. Series Description Søren Kierkegaard, the Danish philosopher and religious thinker, created one of the most consequential bodies of writing in human history. One of the greatest literary writers, he is also widely regarded as the most important philosopher and theologian to create much of the 20th century: movements like existentialism, modern theology, and even forms of modern nihilism can be traced back to the work of Kierkegaard. Kierkegaard is known as a delightful and difficult figure; like Socrates, he is ironic and hard to understand. He is also my first great teacher, so to honor his personal and historical influence, I am doing an 8 episode series, Soren Kierkegaard: The Poet of Existence.
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Why Does Kierkegaard Matter? | The Poet of Existence: Ep. 1
11/30/2022
Why Does Kierkegaard Matter? | The Poet of Existence: Ep. 1
Søren Kierkegaard, the Danish philosopher and religious thinker, created one of the most consequential bodies of writing in human history. One of the greatest literary writers, he is also widely regarded as the most important philosophers and theologians to create much of the 20th century: movements like existentialism, modern theology, and even forms of modern nihilism can be traced back to the work of Kierkegaard. Kierkegaard is known as a delightful and difficult figure; like Socrates, he is ironic and hard to understand. He is also my first great teacher, so to honor his personal and historical influence, I am doing an 8 episode series on Soren Kierkegaard: The Poet of Existence. Welcome to Episode One: Why Does Kierkegaard Matter?, where I ask why Kierkegaard matters, and explain his historical, philosophical, and spiritual importance today.
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Makoto Fujimura on Art and Faith: Explorations, Ep. 4
11/09/2022
Makoto Fujimura on Art and Faith: Explorations, Ep. 4
Makoto Fujimura is an internationally recognized artist who has developed a unique fusion of traditional Japanese painting, Nihonga, with abstract expressionism. A leading writer, speaker, and thinker on the intersection of art, faith, and culture, Fujimura published Art and Faith: A Theology of Making, with Yale University Press in 2021. In this conversation, Fujimura shares his story and his wisdom on how art is a way of becoming human, how it can help us live with suffering, and even reveal the divine world in everyday life. Topics covered include Miyazaki's vision of a post-atomic Japan, how William Blake's Jerusalem transformed the young Fujimura's life, and why the Western separation of nature and culture is foreign to Japan.
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Are We Alone? Harvard's Avi Loeb on ET, Astrophysics, and the Future of Humanity: Explorations, Ep. 3
03/09/2022
Are We Alone? Harvard's Avi Loeb on ET, Astrophysics, and the Future of Humanity: Explorations, Ep. 3
Harvard Astrophysicist Avi Loeb discusses his book, Extraterrestrial: The First Sign of Intelligent Life Beyond Earth, which lays out his scientific hypothesis that 'Oomuamua, the first interstellar object detected in our solar system, is likely equipment from an Extraterrestrial civilization. We discuss the state of science, why it has been closed-minded about extraterrestrial life, and what the future of science, and humanity, might be.
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The Modern Crisis of Choice | Explorations: Ep. 2
02/17/2022
The Modern Crisis of Choice | Explorations: Ep. 2
Freedom without choice is an illusion, but choice is not freedom. This episode features the first part of my series on how modernity traps us by increasing meaningless choices while destroying our freedom. Learning why we have so many choices is the first step towards accepting out situation, then transforming it with philosophy as a way of life.
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The Revolution of the Electric Word | Explorations: Ep. 1
02/08/2022
The Revolution of the Electric Word | Explorations: Ep. 1
Since the modern age is over and modernity is a myth, what comes next? This episode offers a history of the current revolution in our greatest knowledge technology: the decline of literary and the rise of a new Aural Age. To respond to the end of reading, we need a new vision of philosophy and education. Welcome to the Becoming Human Project.
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Ep. 5: A Murderous Logic: Antisemitism, Christianity, and Ancient Philosophy
04/20/2020
Ep. 5: A Murderous Logic: Antisemitism, Christianity, and Ancient Philosophy
As antisemitic attacks increase across the world, it's important to understand why antisemitism is so pervasive. Far from being simply an issue of prejudice and injustice, antisemitism is a major philosophical problem that lies at the roots of Christianity, and thus Western culture.
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Ep. 4: Magicians and Philosophers: From Empedocles to Jesus
04/10/2020
Ep. 4: Magicians and Philosophers: From Empedocles to Jesus
Exploring a scarcely known tradition of philosopher-magicians, this episode puts magic and truth at the center of ancient philosophy.
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Ep. 3: Jesus the Philosopher? A Jewish Revolution
03/31/2020
Ep. 3: Jesus the Philosopher? A Jewish Revolution
No single person has shaped history more than an obscure Jewish teacher who was executed by the Roman empire. Today, we know him as a god, a myth, a savior. In fact, he was the greatest philosopher of his time: Jesus of Nazareth.
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Ep.2: The Myth of Secular Philosophy: Socrates as a Religious Martyr
03/21/2020
Ep.2: The Myth of Secular Philosophy: Socrates as a Religious Martyr
Socrates is perhaps our most famous philosopher. But his life and death defy our dominant ideas of reason and religion. By paying the ultimate price for his philosophy, Socrates became the West's first great religious martyr, changing his world, and ours.
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Ep. 1: Religious Atheists: Philosophy's Untold Story
03/11/2020
Ep. 1: Religious Atheists: Philosophy's Untold Story
This episode exposes modern myths about philosophy, religion, and science. To see the truth about ourselves and our culture, we need to recognize Socrates for who he really was: a religious revolutionary.
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