Best Matthew Paul Turner Podcasts (2025)

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The struggle for the good life | Massimo Pigliucci on ancient philosophy for the modern era 29:29

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7d ago29:29

29:29

We all want to live the good life. But how many of us can claim to be truly content? Join philosopher and evolutionary biologist Massimo Pigliucci as he argues that pleasure, character, and a healthy dose of doubt, form the basis of the good life, and that purpose in life is crucial to realising our potential. Massimo Pigliucci is a renowned philos…

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Psychedelics and the structure of reality | Julian Baggini, Eileen Hall, and James Rucker 46:51

11d ago46:51

46:51

Truth, delusion and psychedelic reality Do psychedelics reveal hidden layers of reality, or are we simply tripping? Psychedelics are back in the cultural zeitgeist, this time as a treatment for mental health issues. However, critics argue that psychedelics only work by replacing mental illness with a distorted view of reality - but, is this an accu…

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The unconscious mind: Is the unconscious real? 48:58

14d ago48:58

48:58

The unconscious has become a well-known feature of our human lived experience since Freud. We often refer to unwanted impulses, suppressed thoughts, unconscious desires, and the like. But what IS the unconscious? Is it just an easy excuse for our behaviour? Or is it a necessary piece of what it means to be human? Join our diverse and rich panel as …

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A landscape of consciousness | Robert Lawrence Kuhn and Hilary Lawson 41:19

21d ago41:19

41:19

Will we ever reach a conclusive, agreed-upon theory of consciousness? Over the millennia of recorded history, countless stories, theories, and arguments have emerged to explain the origins of consciousness. And yet, here we are in 2025 - post-Plato, post-Descartes, post-scientific revolution - and still we don't understand the phenomenon of conscio…

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Will psychedelics revolutionize mental health treatment? | Matthew Johnson, Shayla Love, and Kevin Sabet 49:34

25d ago49:34

49:34

The psychedelic revolution Will LSD, Psilocybin, MDMA, and Ketamine treatments live up to the hype? For decades, psychedelics were derided as dangerous recreational drugs; now many claim they have the potential to revolutionise the treatment of mental health. With hundreds of clinical trials now taking place, the psychedelic therapeutic market is p…

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The illusion of separation | Jessica Frazier on the Monism of Hindu philosophy 24:39

28d ago24:39

24:39

Indian philosophy and the search for unity In our everyday lives we act as though we are all separate individuals, but is this really the case? Jessica Frazer argues that reality is ultimately unified, and that this shift in perspective can change the way we live our lives. It can help you lose your isolated ego and escape feelings of alienation fr…

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The limits of nothingness | Peter van Inwagen 27:44

1M ago27:44

27:44

From philosophy to science, metaphysics to psychology, the idea of 'nothing' is central to the universe, existence and experience as a whole. But the nature of 'nothing' is even more bewildering than we might first imagine. Parmenides argued that non-being is impossible because thinking about nothing is still something. Join philosopher Peter van I…

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Bonus 37 - Is CCH Pounder OK? (interview) 1:11:40

22d ago1:11:40

1:11:40

For the final episode of CCH Podcast, Matt and Daryl were honoured to be in the presence of the incredible, CCH Pounder! You can find all season artwork designs (from the ridiculously talented Stephen Trumble) on our Teepublic store. We also have our old intro themes and interludes over on Bandcamp. The intro theme was performed by Daryl Bär. Pleas…

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Is free will an illusion? The chemistry of freedom | Patrick Haggard, George Ellis, Jennifer Hornsby 40:10

1M ago40:10

40:10

The question of free will - and whether we have it or not - is age-old across philosophy, religion, and human thought in general. Having free will allows us to have meaning, responsibility, reward and punishment. Yet discoveries in neuroscience have put our ability to choose, outside of a set of neuronal reactions, in question. Do we have free will…

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Has the world gone to Hell? | Slavoj Žižek on fascism, shame, and dirty jokes 41:11

2M ago41:11

41:11

Žižek: "Trump did what The Left couldn't" As we look around at the state of the modern world, it's very easy to get disheartened - and that's putting it lightly! From pointless wars and endless suffering to the decline of social bonds and trustworthy institutions, there really is a lot to get you down. Fortunately, maverick philosopher Slavoj Žižek…

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Video games and the meaning of life | James Tartaglia 27:49

2M ago27:49

27:49

Video games are changing how we think. Many are so realistic that some argue they are becoming reality. In this talk by philosopher James Tartaglia, he uncovers the relationship between games and reality. James Tartaglia is Professor of Metaphysical Philosophy at Keele University. His latest book is Inner Space Philosophy: Why the Next Stage of Hum…

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The philosophy of literature SPECIAL | George Orwell, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Aldous Huxley, and more 44:01

2M ago44:01

44:01

How literature helps us to understand morality, totalitarian politics, and the life of Jesus Christ. Join the team at the IAI for four articles about great, classic literature, covering world-renowned authors such as George Orwell, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Clarice Lispector, to name but a few. These articles were written by Michael Marder, Emrah Atasoy, …

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How other species challenge our idea of consciousness | Peter Godfrey-Smith 21:13

2M ago21:13

21:13

In this IAI Studio interview, philosopher and science writer Peter Godfrey-Smith explores the evolution of consciousness and the enduring mystery of the mind–body problem. Drawing on his work with octopuses and other animals, he argues that consciousness emerged gradually through increasingly complex forms of sensory-motor interaction, rather than …

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Bonus 36: The Shield (with Liam Dempsey) 1:21:42

2M ago1:21:42

1:21:42

Matt and Daryl are joined by podcaster and film critic, Liam Dempsey to investigate all seven seasons of The Shield, in which CCH Pounder plays Claudette Wyms. NOTE: Please excuse Daryl's audio There was an issue that has since been resolved for future episodes. You can find all season artwork designs (from the ridiculously talented Stephen Trumble…

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Utopia and human nature | Paul Bloom 27:15

2M ago27:15

27:15

Human nature and the possibility of utopia The idea of utopia - of a perfect society devoid of suffering and inequality - is planted firmly in the human imagination and psyche. From pre-biblical times to Thomas More and communism and beyond, widely disparate groups have attempted to plan or create a utopia. But is it achievable? And if not, why not…

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Avatar (with Shaun Alexander) 1:26:11

2M ago1:26:11

1:26:11

Matt and Daryl finally make it to Pandora where they're joined by Avatar specialist and all-round James Cameron enthusiast, Shaun Alexander, host of the SIVAKO: The Avatar Podcast. You can find his podcast available via all good pod-catchers. Please note: Out of respect, Daryl and Matt kept their Smurfs jokes to a minimum as they were feeling espec…

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More choice means less freedom | Psychologist Barry Schwartz 18:32

2M ago18:32

18:32

Why more is less We're surrounded by choice - an endless sea of possible paths we might take. However, does the overwhelming range of choices leave us better off or worse? In general, we tend to think that more is better, but Barry Schwartz, author of the ground-breaking book 'The Paradox of Choice', argues that this view is mistaken. More can lead…

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The limits of logic: Should we embrace the irrational? |Iain McGilchrist, Beatrix Campbell, Simon Blackburn 43:28

3M ago43:28

43:28

Our culture prizes logic and rationality, if not above all else, as two of the most fundamental social traits. But are we missing out by overlooking the irrational? Can logic explain everything, or what is it missing? And is it possible to live (and enjoy) a life led by logic? Logic, in philosophy and beyond, seems to always to be self-evidently ri…

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Rustin (with Natalia Albin) 1:14:43

3M ago1:14:43

1:14:43

To discuss George C. Wolfe's 2023 film, Rustin, Matt and Daryl are joined by film writer, branding & design specialist, Natalia Albin. You can find Natalia's works here. You can find all season artwork designs (from the ridiculously talented Stephen Trumble) on our Teepublic store. We also have our old intro themes and interludes over on Bandcamp. …

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Episode 107: No Way Out 55:09

3M ago55:09

55:09

The gang are joined by special guest, erotic thriller enthusiast and fan of the podcast Livvy, to investigate the real truths of power, loyalty and who looks better in Navy whites in Roger Donaldson's classic 1987 thriller No Way Out. Follow Livvy on Bluesky. Read Livvy's blog. Night on the Docks - Sax Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under…

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Consciousness begins in the body | Antonio Damasio 30:56

3M ago30:56

30:56

We tend to believe consciousness is purely mental. And since Descartes' "I think therefore I am", we've privileged the mind as the centrepiece of thought and consciousness. But such a view is mistaken argues award-winning neuroscientist Antonio Damasio. Feelings, long dismissed as secondary to thinking, are where consciousness begins, and are deepl…

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Orphan (with Kat Hughes) 1:11:46

3M ago1:11:46

1:11:46

Delivering hammer blows to Matt and Daryl's head this week is returning guest, Kat Hughes. She popped in to discuss her CCH Pounder credentials and the 2009 horror, Orphan. You can find all season artwork designs (from the ridiculously talented Stephen Trumble) on our Teepublic store. We also have our old intro themes and interludes over on Bandcam…

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The Selfish and The Selfless SPECIAL | JD Vance, Pope Francis, and the 10 Commandments 45:09

3M ago45:09

45:09

What can JD Vance's arguments with Pope Francis teach us about selfishness, altruism, and the morality of the modern world? Join the team at the IAI for four articles about egoism, self-sacrifice, and everything in between, analysing a range of subjects, including: Friedrich Nietzsche and his rivalry with former maestro Arthur Schopenhauer; the 10 …

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Being mindful in a mindless world | Ellen Langer 22:46

3M ago22:46

22:46

The mindful body with Ellen Langer Can mindfulness be contagious? Ellen Langer's research certainly seems to suggest that's the case. As Professor of Psychology at Harvard University and the author of 'The Mindful Body', Ellen has racked up decades of experience and numerous awards during her investigations into the impact of mindful living. In thi…

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The beautiful in philosophy | Babette Babich, Paul Ernest, Ankhi Mukherjee, Sarah Wilson 42:00

3M ago42:00

42:00

The good, the bad, and the beautiful What is beauty? Why are we so drawn to it? And should we be - or is it a distraction? The philosophy of aesthetics and beauty has a long and fascinating history. Over the millennia, while we mostly agree on the essential nature of this ephemeral thing, "beauty", we disagree on the reasons why it is important, on…

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Robocop 3 (with Matthew Turner) 1:33:17

3M ago1:33:17

1:33:17

Back once again (but this time with a jet pack and detachable appendages), film critic and podcaster Matthew Turner chats all things Robocop 3 with Matt and Daryl. You can find all season artwork designs (from the ridiculously talented Stephen Trumble) on our Teepublic store. We also have our old intro themes and interludes over on Bandcamp. The in…

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A world without values | Janne Teller, Dale Turner, Robin van den Akker, Isabel Hilton 44:37

3M ago44:37

44:37

Once values such as justice and equality were agreed upon by all. Now they are identified by some as vehicles to entrench or overturn power. On the left, 'justice' as a means to sustain and impose privilege, 'truth' as an attempt to claim enduring authority. On the right, 'diversity' and 'equality' as means to undermine the status quo in favour of …

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The challenge to optimism | Angus Deaton 21:34

3M ago21:34

21:34

The economy is a vital part of the way we understand our lives and our politics more generally. But after years of growth, development, and progress, on the surface everything is rosy. But as Nobel Laureate Angus Deaton argues, behind the big picture many people have been left behind by the modern economy, and this is precisely because of the blind…

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Bonus 35: Psycho IV (with Daisy Victoria Edwards) 1:56:18

3M ago1:56:18

1:56:18

This time around, Daisy Edwards returns with the taxidermied bodies of Matt and Daryl, to discuss Psycho IV, the perculiar legacy of the Psycho franchise, and why CCH Pounder should've been present in the third act! You can find all season artwork designs (from the ridiculously talented Stephen Trumble) on our Teepublic store. We also have our old …

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Searching for the purpose of life |Babette Babich, Frank Tallis, Jonathan Webber, Sandra Laugier 45:53

4M ago45:53

45:53

The journey in search of the destination Does life have a purpose? Is that what gives life meaning? Or is it the journey that matters the most? Join our four speakers - Nietzschean philosopher Babette Babich, clinical psychologist Frank Tallis, existentialist philosopher Jonathan Webber, and linguist philosopher Sandra Laugier - as they explore the…

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Postcards From the Edge (with Rafa Sales Ross) 1:13:24

4M ago1:13:24

1:13:24

Joining Matt and Daryl on their long hard road out of rehab is the multi-talented critic, journalist, programmer and host Rafa Sales Ross. She's here to discuss one of her favourite films, Postcards From the Edge. You can find a link to Rafa's work here. You can find all season artwork designs (from the ridiculously talented Stephen Trumble) on our…

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Nietzsche, the birth of tragedy, and the technology trap | Babette Babich 24:19

4M ago24:19

24:19

Nietzsche, the birth of tragedy, and the technology trap with Babette Babich Babette Babich discusses Nietzsche, the importance of tragedy, and the danger of technology interfering with our judgement. Babette Babich is a world renowned Professor of Philosophy at Fordham University in New York. In this in-depth interview, she looks to Nietzsche's Bi…

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Face/Off (with Darryl Edge) 1:37:54

4M ago1:37:54

1:37:54

Matt and Daryl team up with Nicolas Cage (and Willem Dafoe) expert Darryl Edge to tackle one of the greatest action flicks of the Nineties, John Woo's Face/ Off. Darryl is the host of the Cage Rage podcast, and co-host of the Getting Dafoe You podcast. These are available via all good podcatchers, and they are a thorough recommend from Team Dano! Y…

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The philosophy of fun | Myriam François, Freya India, James Tartaglia 50:35

4M ago50:35

50:35

The essential philosophy of fun Do we need to have fun or is it an unnecessary excess? Are we living in an age of fun's decline, what with the moralism and strictures of Gen Z, or is there something else going on? On this panel, our three guests - philosopher James Tartaglia, film-maker Myriam François, and writer Freya India - dive into the idea o…

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All That Jazz (with Alistair Ryder) 1:13:46

4M ago1:13:46

1:13:46

While Pounder may only appear fleetingly in All That Jazz, she certainly makes an impression. Joining Matt and Daryl to discuss CCH Pounder's silver screen debut is the fiendlishly talented and thought-provoking critic, Alistair Ryder. You can find Ali's work all over but here's a link to his RT page. You can find all season artwork designs (from t…

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Neoliberalism: A Soviet nightmare | Abby Innes 31:25

4M ago31:25

31:25

There is an old Soviet joke, ‘Capitalism is the exploitation of man by man. Communism is its exact opposite.’ On the surface, neoliberalism, with its emphasis on free markets, competition and privatisation, is as far removed as possible from the Soviet Union. But behind the policies, could they be guided by the same false utopianism? Abby Innes, pr…

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Episode 106: The Page Turner 43:51

4M ago43:51

43:51

The gang are joined by special guest, author/podcaster Anna Cale, to dive into the world of classical music and petty revenge in Denis Dercourt's 2006 film The Page Turner. Follow Anna on Bluesky. Night on the Docks - Sax Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/…

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The dark side of chasing rewards | Paul Bloom, Nancy Sherman, and Dan Ariely 46:48

4M ago46:48

46:48

Something for nothing Do rewards and incentives damage our humanity? In much of our personal and professional lives, we receive rewards for good behaviour and carrying out our responsibilities. But, evidence now suggests there are risks to this approach. Studies show rewards can damage wellbeing, fostering dependence and undermining our own sense o…

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Bagdad Cafe (with Ros Try-Hane) 1:10:31

4M ago1:10:31

1:10:31

For the first episode of CCH Podcast, Matt and Daryl are joined by the rather brilliant Ros Try-Hane of Liquid Marmalade to discuss Percy Adlon's 1987 film, Bagdad Cafe. You can find Roz's reviews here. You can find all season artwork designs (from the ridiculously talented Stephen Trumble) on our Teepublic store. We also have our old intro themes …

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Rethinking the Enlightenment | Historian Aviva Chomsky 26:24

5M ago26:24

26:24

The spectre of the Enlightenment What the Enlightenment a net positive or a net negative? Or is that the wrong question, and should we look at it simply as a historical period? Join Professor of History Aviva Chomsky as she dissects one of the most important periods in modern history from the lens of a critical historian. The Enlightenment was not …

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Was Karl Marx misunderstood? | Terry Eagleton on the forgotten ideals of Marxism 24:23

5M ago24:23

24:23

Why Marx was right Having fallen out of favour around the turn of the century, Marxism is now back in fashion, often playing the role of an alternative to the increasingly right-wing politics of the modern world. Once the guiding ideology of Korean guerillas and Hampstead screenwriters alike, Marxism is back and taking universities and intellectual…

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The power and the pitfalls of narrative | Matthew Beaumont, Ruth Padel, and Theodore Dalrymple 42:34

5M ago42:34

42:34

Lost in stories Is life a story or a sequence of events? Our narratives enable us to make sense of the complex, often confusing, world that we live in. And yet there is a risk that rather than helping us to truly understand this world, narratives can hide reality from us, providing delusional states of mind in its place. From witch hunts to cults, …

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Bonus 34: Dano Wrap Up + CCH Pounder Primer 52:24

5M ago52:24

52:24

Matt and Daryl wave teary goodbyes to the last Paul Dano season for a while (pssst... Paul. Please do more things) and give a warm Hello to the upcoming CCH Pounder season, CCH Podcast. You can find all season artwork designs (from the ridiculously talented Stephen Trumble) on our Teepublic store. We also have our old intro themes and interludes ov…

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Reflections on mental health today | Interview | Susie Orbach 23:02

5M ago23:02

23:02

The dark side of 'mental health' with Susie Orbach Why are psychotherapy, psychology, psychoanalysis, therapy so popular today? Do these respond to a new need in our society or are they evolutions of age-old human approaches to resolution and knowing oneself? Join psychotherapist and psychoanalyst (famously Princess Diana's therapist!) Susie Orbach…

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Episode 105: Babygirl 1:04:04

5M ago1:04:04

1:04:04

The old gang reunites as Amelie comes back, even if just for one show, to talk about Nicole Kidman's latest foray into the erotic thriller genre, this time in the shape of Halina Reijn's Babygirl. Night on the Docks - Sax Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/…

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The life and philosophy of Peter Singer | In conversation with Myriam François 25:56

5M ago25:56

25:56

Peter Singer is one of the world's leading philosophers, renowned for his challenging and often controversial views. From animal ethics to effective altruism, Singer has shaped the philosophical landscape. In this episode we uncover the key events in his life that led to his ideas, and hear him answer his critics and defend the convictions that hav…

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The price of everything, value of nothing | Politics series | Daniel Susskind, Abby Innes, Will Hutton, Richard Kibble 51:30

6M ago51:30

51:30

Under capitalism, it can be hard to disentangle an idea of 'value' from that which the market sets as 'valuable' - that is to say, expensive items. Is the price mechanism in any way a useful or accurate way of representing value, or are we unable to measure what we really value through it? Join our panel of four diverse social scientists to make se…

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The crisis of the new | Stanley Fish, Claire Hynes, and Martin Puchner 59:13

6M ago59:13

59:13

Is genuine originality a realistic goal for artists? From fashion to fantasy, entertainment to enterprise, we seek the 'new' as the means to originality, change, and creativity. And for the most part, we imagine the new is always identifiable as a radical break from the past. But the nature of the new is more elusive and unknown than it first appea…

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Sartre vs Baldwin | Joanna Kavenna, Jonathan Webber, and Marie-Elsa Bragg 44:30

6M ago44:30

44:30

We take it for granted that through language and communication we can learn about the experience of others. But it remains unknown whether we can fully know what it is like to be another human being. James Baldwin and Jean-Paul Sartre take radically different approaches. For Sartre, the experience of others is unknown to us. Fundamentally, we are a…

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The philosophy of geopolitics SPECIAL | Donald Trump, Homer's Odyssey, and Korean Web Novels 43:55

6M ago43:55

43:55

What do Friedrich Nietzsche, the Korean War, and Homer's Odyssey have in common? Join the team at the IAI for four articles about the history and philosophy of geopolitics, ranging from Nietzsche's impact on Russia's imperialist strategies to the importance of Ancient Greek tragedies during the decline of the West. Written by Slavoj Žižek, John Mil…