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
Plutarch's Life of Theseus
This week, the guys dive into another of Plutarch's lives. Unlike some of the other lives Plutarch describes, Theseus' is surrounded by an unusual amount of mythologizing, leaving us to speculate abo…
Nietzsche on Truth and Lies
Aristotle on Slavery
Was Aristotle's view of slavery evil, idiotic, a combination, or something else entirely? The guys sit down to talk about how Aristotle viewed slavery and how that view might look today.
Interview: Joshua Parens on Leo Strauss on Natural Law
This week, the guys attended a panel where they interviewed Joshua Parens on the peculiar nature of Strauss' views on natural law and the philosopher. The group analyzes Strauss' wisdom-filled writin…
Winchester 73 | The New Thinkery Ep. 95
This week, the guys take a break from philosophy to visit the Wild West as they analyze the film Winchester 73. Revolving around who gets to own a nearly perfect Winchester rifle, the guys look at th…
The Noble Lie | The New Thinkery Ep. 94
This week, the guys take a look at one of the most memorable concepts from Plato's Republic, that of the noble lie. They analyze the usefulness of noble lies, and whether it should affect the way we …
Interview: Steve Hayward on Weber's Politics as a Vocation
This week, the guys are joined by author, political commentator, and policy scholar Steven F. Hayward. The group take a look at the underlying themes of Max Weber's Politics as a Vocation, as well as…
Homer's Iliad, Books 1 and 2 | The New Thinkery Ep. 92
This week, the guys take a trip back to ancient Greece to discuss the first two books of Homer's Iliad. Plus: a cameo appearance from David's son!
Interview: Dr. Catherine Zuckert on Augustine's Confessions | The New Thinkery Ep. 91
With Easter around the corner, the guys are joined by Dr. Catherine Zuckert, the Reeves Dreux Professor of Political Science at Notre Dame, to take a look at the first Western Christian autobiography…
Interview: Dr. Lee Ward on Shakespeare's Love's Labour's Lost | The New Thinkery Ep. 90
This week, the guys continue their running series on Shakespeare. On the docket is one of Shakespeare's early comedies, Love's Labour's Lost. To help them with the analysis, Dr. Lee Ward, Professor o…
Interview: Dr. David Lowenthal on Orwell's 1984
Grab Bag | The New Thinkery Ep. 88
Interview: Professor James Carey on Indian Philosophy | The New Thinkery Ep. 87
Plato's Republic and the Problem of Justice | The New Thinkery Ep. 86
In this follow-up to the last episode on Plato's Republic, the guys are again looking at the concept of justice. Specifically, what issues one might take with it. The group analyze the speeches of Gl…
Hitchcock's Rope | The New Thinkery Ep. 85
This week, the guys are breaking up the nonstop philosophy with a movie with strong overtones about, what else, philosophy! The crew discuss Alfred Hitchcock's Rope—which is scarily based on a true s…
Interview: Diana Schaub on Lincoln's Lyceum Address | The New Thinkery Ep. 84
In this President's Day edition of The New Thinkery, the guys are joined by Professor Diana Schaub, who teaches at Loyola University Maryland, and specializes in Lincoln. Together, the group discuss …
Interview: Dr. Michael P. Zuckert on Lincoln's Statecraft | The New Thinkery Ep. 83
In a first for The New Thinkery, the guys are joined for a threepeat guest appearance by Dr. Michael P. Zuckert. Together, the guys discuss the three elements of statecraft, and to what extent Lincol…
Machiavelli's Four Most Excellent Princes | The New Thinkery Ep. 82
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Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave | The New Thinkery Ep. 81
In observance of the beginning of Black History Month, The New Thinkery guys are taking a look at Frederick Douglass' memoir, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. Specifica…