The New Thinkery
The New Thinkery is a podcast devoted to political philosophy and its history, along with its many guises in literature, film, and human experience generally. Named after Socrates’ infamous “Thinkery” in Aristophanes’ Clouds, The New Thinkery strikes a balance between the seriousness of academia and the playfulness of casual conversation among friends.
- Update frequency
- every 7 days
- Average duration
- 64 minutes
- Episodes
- 262
- Years Active
- 2020 - 2025
Aristotle's Politics, 1.1-2 | The New Thinkery Ep. 79
This week, the guys take a look at Aristotle's Politics. Specifically, they explore the key types of relationships according to Aristotle, how they contributed to the formation of the city, and why t…
Leo Strauss on German Nihilism | The New Thinkery Ep. 78
As Nazism came to the fore in Germany following World War I, Leo Strauss delivered a lecture that would be published posthumously attempting to explain why. Specifically, he emphasized nihilism, incl…
Plato's Republic, Book I | The New Thinkery Ep. 77
In the first episode of 2022, the guys come out swinging by taking on Book I of Plato's Republic. One of the most important philosophic works of all-time, the discussion is as wide-ranging as it is e…
Interview: Harvey Mansfield on Machiavelli's Mandragola | The New Thinkery Ep. 76
This week, the guys are joined by none other than Dr. Harvey Mansfield. The group discuss Machiavelli's satirical play, La Mandragola in a wide-ranging discussion, and is closed out by an entertainin…
Hawthorne's The Christmas Banquet | The New Thinkery Ep. 75
The New Thinkery wishes you and yours a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! On this Christmas Day stocking stuffer, the guys delve into an unusual Christmas short story, Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Ch…
Dickens' A Christmas Carol | The New Thinkery Ep. 74
In this week's classic episode of The New Thinkery, the guys discuss the Christmas classic: A Christmas Carol. They go through the book's plot, themes, underlying philosophical points, and talk about…
Interview: Professor Richard Velkley on Heidegger and Nazism | The New Thinkery Ep. 73
The guys are joined once again by Prof. Richard Velkley, Celia Scott Weatherhead Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Tulane University. The guys dive into the messy subject of Heidegger's relati…
Interview: Dr. Christopher Burkett on Westerns | The New Thinkery Ep. 72
The guys are joined this week by Greg's colleague at Ashland University, Dr. Christopher Burkett. The group take a break from the stuffy philosophy books, and turn instead to the silver screen to ana…
Descartes' Discourse on Method | The New Thinkery Ep. 71
This week the guys dive into French philosophy with René Descartes' Discourse on Method. They explain Descartes philosophy and scientific thought while also evaluating its strengths and weaknesses.
Interview: Glenn Ellmers on The Soul of Politics | The New Thinkery Ep. 70
This week, the guys are joined by Claremont Institute Senior Fellow Glenn Ellmers, an expert on the teachings and life of the renowned Harry V. Jaffa. Together, the group talk about Ellmers' new book…
Interview: Dr. Michael P. Zuckert on the Gettysburg Address | The New Thinkery Ep. 69
This week, the guys are joined once again by Dr. Michael P. Zuckert. The group discuss the Gettysburg Address and its philosophic underpinnings, as well as covering the surrounding history.
Shoutout …
Interview: Dr. Eric Adler on Battle of the Classics | The New Thinkery Ep. 68
This week, the guys are joined by Dr. Eric Adler, professor and chair of Classics at the University of Maryland to discuss his new book, The Battle of the Classics: How a Nineteenth-Century Debate Ca…
Introduction to Plato's Republic | The New Thinkery Ep. 67
The guys finally get around to tackling Plato’s Republic, the first and greatest work of political philosophy. With wide-ranging themes and topics, the Republic situates political life at the core …
Interview: Dr. Justin Gottschalk on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein | The New Thinkery Ep. 66
As Halloween approaches, the guys turn their attention to some spooky literature. This time, they're joined by Dr. Justin Gottschalk as they delve into Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. The group touch on…
Interview: Jan Blits on Macbeth | The New Thinkery Ep. 65
This week the guys are joined once again by Jan Blits, professor emeritus in the University of Delaware School of Education. The group break down the play Macbeth, going through the plot and discussi…
Mark Twain's Extracts from Adam's Diary | The New Thinkery Ep. 64
This week the guys convene to discuss a short, humorous work by Mark Twain, Extracts from Adam's Diary. Despite being so short and meant to be funny, hidden just below the surface are deep questions …
Interview: Drs. Christopher Lynch and Nathan Tarcov on The Complete Tales and Poems of Niccolò Machiavelli | The New Thinkery Ep. 63
In this special edition of The New Thinkery, the guys are joined by Drs. Nathan Tarcov and Christopher Lynch. They give the guys a sneak peek at a forthcoming book on Machiavelli that you can't get a…
Interview: Dr. Wayne Ambler on Tacitus' Dialogue on Oratory | The New Thinkery Ep. 62
The guys are joined this week by Dr. Wayne Ambler, Associate Professor Emeritus at CU Boulder. The group dive into Tacitus' Dialogue on Oratory, covering a range of topics from the nature of oratory …
Interview: Nick Buccola on Frederick Douglass | The New Thinkery Ep. 61
This week, the guys are joined by Dr. Nick Buccola, professor and Elizabeth & Morris Glickman Chair in Political Science at Linfield University to discuss the life and philosophy of Frederick Douglas…
Interview: Ben Kleinerman on the Federalist Papers | The New Thinkery Ep. 60
In this Constitution Day special edition of The New Thinkery, the guys are joined by Dr. Ben Kleinerman, the R.W. Morrison Chair of Political Science at Baylor University and board member of the Jack…