Ideas On Trial

Do your most hidden desires say something about the worth of your character?

In this episode of Ideas on Trial, Leopold Ajami and Ricardo Pinto join together to examine the notion of the 'dark side' o…

What is the link between Luxury and Lucifer? And, does Luxury escapes reason, and if so, why do we need it?

Nicolas Chemla joins Leopold Ajami and Ricardo Pinto to explore the role of luxury in the hu…

Our modern technology and its comfort would make us the envy of past generations, but would they really want to adopt our way of living?

 In this episode, Leopold Ajami and Ricardo Pinto talk with Jam…

Claims of rights are very prominent in the current news: some adopt the language of rights to express pride, whereas others use it to voice their moral outrage against injustice.

But what do we mean b…

Music expresses that which is inexpressible, or so the saying goes... Yet, in this newest episode, we managed to express so many things about music and its value in human life in the company of none …

When it's time for children to pick up their first book, what should we expect them to learn from it? 

Should children's books be confined to stories and themes that deal only with the familiar? Or ca…

You can also watch it on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/KKNBKtV7Y10

Are etiquette and manners indispensable for one's moral learning? 
If you go by how they are taught and perceived in our culture, certainly…

You can also watch it on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/7Fbg3-3oqFM

Have you ever felt that you lack the words or the method to fully appreciate the art you know you love? Have you found yourself wandering …

Design is everywhere: from the chair you are sitting on to the phone you are holding. But do we truly understand it?

Is design just a skill you need for solving a job’s problem, or is it primarily a w…

One of the most important factors that can help you build a resilient character to face adversity and the uncertainty inherent in the future is the confidence that whatever facts you discover about y…

Excited for Season 2 of Ideas On Trial?

This season’s central theme is: How to build a character that helps you think, reason, and be confident about the future.

For that purpose, we are taking topics …

This episode ends season 1 of "Ideas On Trial".

Leopold Ajami and Ricardo Pinto take a listener's suggestion on what is their process for putting undisputed ideas on trial. 

They accepted the challenge…

How important is failure? If you had to hear it from the voices of many successful athletes, businessmen, and other high achievers out there, you would get the impression that failure, apart from bei…

Were you ever told to be a good listener?
Such innocent idea is instilled in us from a young age, but we seldom hear anything substantial about the specific actions required to become a better listen…

Remember the principle of 'show,  don't tell'?
 As a didactic activity, most of us have fond memories of it, so much so that today we see the technique applied everywhere to areas as diverse as writin…

We continue with our In-Focus mini-series. This time, we have a broad-ranging discussion on a neglected aspect of conversations: their role in nurturing self-respect.

How many times have you let a con…

We are launching a new miniseries called In-Focus where we’ll be sharing with you some of the creative tools and practices we’re learning and developing in our work at Novel Philosophy Academy. 

In th…

What are the forces that accelerate and retard cultural change? What causes a society's demise? And more importantly, in the face of oppression, what can you do to promote a better direction?

These ar…

What is the mark of a good leader? According to many influential thinkers in business, a leader’s impact should not be measured on self-interested traits such as individual talent, ambition, or produ…

Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos' recent space flights mark a significant milestone that brings us closer to a new industry that was once a science-fiction dream. Yet, both prominent personalities and …