Best Socrates In The City Podcasts (2024)

1
Pancho Villa’s 1916 Raid on New Mexico: The Pearl Harbor Bombing of Its Time 51:04

9m ago51:04

51:04

Before 9/11, before Pearl Harbor, another unsuspected foreign attack on the United States shocked the nation and forever altered the course of history. In 1916, Pancho Villa, a guerrilla fighter who commanded an ever-changing force of conscripts in northern Mexico, attached a border town in New Mexico. It was a raid that angered Americans, and Pres…

1
W. B. Allen on Montesquieu's Spirit of the Laws 1:02:49

1h ago1:02:49

1:02:49

Join the guys this week for a deep dive into Montesquieu's Spirit of the Laws with the insightful W. B. Allen, Professor Emeritus of Political Philosophy at Michigan State University, who has recently released a new critical edition of Montisquieu's best known work. Allen places the timeless relevance of Montesquieu's political philosophy and its i…

1
A Radical Abolitionist Youth Movement Consumed America in 1860, Elected Lincoln, Then Disappeared Completely 43:49

4m ago43:49

43:49

At the start of the 1860 presidential campaign, a handful of fired-up young Northerners appeared as bodyguards to defend anti-slavery stump speakers from frequent attacks. The group called themselves the Wide Awakes. Soon, hundreds of thousands of young white and black men, and a number of women, were organizing boisterous, uniformed, torch-bearing…

1
Socrates May Have Been Executed For Revealing Secrets of Athens’ Religious Rituals 43:13

5d ago43:13

43:13

The influence of the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates has been profound. Even today, over two thousand years after his death, he remains one of the most renowned humans to have ever lived—and his death remains one of the greatest unsolved mysteries. There is another side to this story: impiety, lack of reverence for the gods, was a religious crim…

1
Plato's Hipparchus 59:23

1d ago59:23

59:23

Join us for a deep dive into the world of Plato as we explore Plato's Hipparchus. The guys unpack this lesser-known dialogue, delving into its themes of justice, leadership, and the ideal state. Discover how Plato's insights from over two millennia ago still resonate in today's society, offering time-tested wisdom and thought-provoking ideas.…

1
The Age of Discovery Through American-Indian Eyes 44:17

7d ago44:17

44:17

A millennium ago, North American cities rivaled urban centers around the world in size. So, when Europeans arrived in the sixteenth century, they encountered societies they did not understand, having developed differently from their own, and whose power they often underestimated. And no civilization came to a halt when a few wandering explorers arr…

1
A Short History of the Sioux Wars (1862-1890) 25:22

6d ago25:22

25:22

War, Conflict, Victory & Defeat. These are all aspects of life that some may have to face. This was true for the various groups of the Sioux Tribes. On today's bonus episode from "Key Battles of American History" join host James Early as he discusses the multiple wars that took place between 1862-1890, collectively known as "The Sioux Wars"…

1
The Deerfield Massacre: The Infamous 1704 Indian Raid That Left Hundreds Dead and More Captured 38:44

12d ago38:44

38:44

In an obscure village in western Massachusetts, there lies what once was the most revered but now totally forgotten relic from the history of early New England—the massive, tomahawk-scarred door that came to symbolize the notorious Deerfield Massacre. This impregnable barricade—known to early Americans as “The Old Indian Door”—constructed from doub…

1
Laurence Berns on Francis Bacon with Martin Yaffe and Nathan Dinneen 1:10:35

8d ago1:10:35

1:10:35

Join Alex and Greg for an enlightening discussion on Francis Bacon with esteemed guests Martin Yaffe and Nathan Dinneen, editors of The Political Philosophy of Francis Bacon: With Special Attention to the Principles of Foreign Policy. Delve into Bacon's philosophical contributions and their impact on modern thought. Explore his views on knowledge, …

1
The Dangerous and Thrilling Life of a 19th-Century Whaler 46:49

14d ago46:49

46:49

In mid-nineteenth century New England, Robert Armstrong was a young man with the world at his feet. His family was wealthy and gave him the opportunity to attend the nation’s first dental school. But Armstrong threw his future away, drinking himself into oblivion. Devoured by guilt and shame, in December 1849 he sold his dental instruments, his wat…

1
Fiorello LaGuardia: Immigrant Son and Ellis Island Interpreter Who Became America’s Mayor 41:02

19d ago41:02

41:02

Fiorello LaGuardia was one of the twentieth century’s most colorful politicians―a 5’2’’ ball of energy who led New York as major during the Depression and World War Two, charming the media during press conference and fighting the dirty machine politics of the city. He was also quintessentially American: the son of Italian immigrants, who rose in so…

1
Raúl Rodríguez on Strauss' View of Tocqueville and Nietzsche 1:13:11

15d ago1:13:11

1:13:11

This week, Alex and Greg join a live panel hosted by Michigan State University to explore the perspective of Leo Strauss on two towering figures of philosophy and political thought: Friedrich Nietzsche and Alexis de Tocqueville. The guys are joined by Raul Rodriguez, a dean's research associate at MSU, to delve into the nuanced interpretations and …

1
How the West Tried and Failed to Stop the Russian Revolution 41:33

21d ago41:33

41:33

The Allied Intervention into the Russian Civil War remains one of the most ambitious yet least talked about military ventures of the 20th century. Coinciding with the end of the first World War, some 180,000 troops from several countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Japan, Italy, Greece, Poland, and Romania, among others…

1
Kings Were Inevitable and Untouchable Until They Suddenly Weren’t After a Few 1700s Revolutions 42:51

26d ago42:51

42:51

At the turn of the nineteenth century, two waves of revolutions swept the Atlantic world, disrupting the social order and ushering in a new democratic-republican experiment whose effects rippled across continents and centuries. The first wave of revolutions in the late 1700s (which included the much-celebrated American and French Revolutions and th…

1
Shakespeare's Hamlet, Act V 54:49

22d ago54:49

54:49

This week, the guys close out Shakespeare's Hamlet by focusing on Act V. The play reaches its dramatic climax as the threads of betrayal, revenge, and madness culminate in a blood-drenched conclusion. The guys dissect the pivotal act, exploring Hamlet's complex character, the consequences of his actions, and the tragic fate that befalls him and tho…

1
The Fall Of Japanese-held Hong Kong in January 1945 38:56

28d ago38:56

38:56

Commander John Lamade started the war in 1941 a nervous pilot of an antiquated biplane. Just over three years later he was in the cockpit of a cutting-edge Hellcat about to lead a strike force of 80 aircraft through the turbulent skies above the South China Sea. His target: Hong Kong. As a storm of antiaircraft fire darkened the sky, watching from …

1
WW1 German Spies Infiltrated America and Attempted to Start a Race War 34:34

1M ago34:34

34:34

On January 30, 1918, a young man “with the appearance of a well-educated, debonair foreigner” arrived at the U.S. customs station in Nogales, Arizona, located on the border with Mexico. After politely informing the customs inspector that he had come to complete his draft registration questionnaire and meet a friend in San Francisco, he was approved…

1
Christopher Kelly on Rousseau's Rousseau, Judge of Jean-Jacques, Part II 38:52

1M ago38:52

38:52

Continuing on Part I from last week, Greg and Alex again replace David with renowned Rousseau scholar Dr. Christopher Kelly, professor of political science at Boston College. The group analyze Rousseau, Judge of Jean-Jacques, this time touching on the enigma of conspiracy and how Rousseau's work fits in with Christian ideas and values. Plus: Dr. Ke…

1
The Air Battles of the 1945 Eastern Front Forged Air Force Doctrines of the Cold War 38:10

1M ago38:10

38:10

The last months of World War II on the Eastern Front saw a ferocious fight between two very different air forces. Soviet Air Force (VVS) Commander-in-Chief Alexander Novikov assembled 7,500 aircraft in three powerful air armies to support the final assault on Berlin. The Luftwaffe employed some of its most advanced weapons including the Me 262 jet …

1
The First Pre-Columbian Explorers to Reach North America 10:52

1M ago10:52

10:52

Have you ever wondered if there was a group to reach North America before Christopher Columbus? Find out more in today's bonus episode from another Parthenon podcast "History of North America." Join host Mark Vinet as he discusses the search for the first non-indigenous explorers to reach the North American continent prior to Christopher Columbus’ …

1
A Classicist Believes that Homer Directly Dictated the Iliad, and Was Also an Excellent Horseman 53:18

1M ago53:18

53:18

The Iliad is the world’s greatest epic poem—heroic battle and divine fate set against the Trojan War. Its beauty and profound bleakness are intensely moving, but great questions remain: Where, how, and when was it composed and why does it endure? To explore these questions is today’s guest, Robin Lane Fox, a scholar and teacher of Homer for over 40…

1
Christopher Kelly on Rousseau's Rousseau, Judge of Jean-Jacques, Part I 47:11

1M ago47:11

47:11

This week, Greg and Alex replace David with renowned Rousseau scholar Dr. Christopher Kelly, professor of political science at Boston College. The group focus on how to situate Rousseau, Judge of Jean-Jacques with Rousseau's other writings, how to properly understand Rousseau, and the two enigmas. Stay tuned for part II next week!…

1
In 1860, Damascus Nearly Committed Genocide Against Christians. How Did it Pull Back? 53:13

1M ago53:13

53:13

On July 9, 1860, a violent mob swept through the Christian quarters of Damascus. For eight days, violence raged, leaving 5,000 Christians dead, thousands of shops looted, and churches, houses, and monasteries razed. The sudden and ferocious outbreak shocked the world, leaving Syrian Christians vulnerable and fearing renewed violence. Rogan is today…

1
Silk: The History of a Fabric That Was Civilization’s First Burial Cloth, Body Armor, and Much More 41:46

2M ago41:46

41:46

Silk—prized for its lightness, luminosity, and beauty—is also one of the strongest biological materials ever known. More than a century ago, it was used to make the first bulletproof vest, and yet science has barely even begun to tap its potential. As the technologies it has inspired—from sutures to pharmaceuticals, replacement body parts to hologr…

1
Robert Bresson's A Man Escaped ft. Tom Cleveland & James Guess 59:02

1M ago59:02

59:02

This week, Alex and Greg replace David with not one, but two guests! Tom Cleveland rejoins the show with a new title as the Executive Director of the American Political Tradition Project at the Jack Miller Center, and James Guess, with a PhD from the Universtiy of Dallas, appears for the first time. The group take a look at Robert Bresson's A Man E…

1
Frank Lloyd Wrong – When America’s Greatest Architect Created His Masterpiece While Written-Off as a Has-Been 46:54

2M ago46:54

46:54

Nobody blossomed late in life like Frank Lloyd Wright. He was written off as a has-been by middle age after a promising start. Between 1909 and 1929, Wright’s career was marked by personal turmoil and a roller coaster of career-related ups and downs. In these years, before he completed the buildings, we know him for today, Wright’s career was so fa…

1
Frederick Rutland, Britain’s Most Beloved WW1 Pilot, Became a Spy for Imperial Japan 36:44

2M ago36:44

36:44

Frederick Rutland was an accomplished aviator, British WWI war hero, and real-life James Bond. He was the first pilot to take off and land a plane on a ship, a decorated warrior for his feats of bravery and rescue, was trusted by the admirals of the Royal Navy, had a succession of aeronautical inventions, and designed the first modern aircraft carr…

1
Douglas Kries on Augustine City of God 1:15:54

2M ago1:15:54

1:15:54

This week Douglas Kries, a distinguished scholar from Gonzaga University, joins the guys as they delve into the profound insights of Augustine's monumental work, The City of God. Explore timeless philosophical questions and the enduring relevance of Augustine's ideas in understanding the nature of society, politics, and the human condition. Gain a …

1
The Rise and Fall of the Global Age of Piracy (17-19th Centuries) 44:03

2M ago44:03

44:03

Piracy didn’t spring into existence in the 18th century Caribbean. It has existed as long as there has been commercial shipping and people to steal the goods. There were medieval pirates. Vikings loved robbing ships in the Baltic and North Seas. The Romans dealt with pirates in the Mediterranean, and the Greeks and Carthaginians before them. Pirate…

1
A WW2 Polish Diplomat Forged Thousands of Paraguayan Passports to Save Jews from the Holocaust 48:05

2M ago48:05

48:05

Between 1940 and 1943, Polish diplomats based in Bern, Switzerland, engaged in a remarkable – and until now, almost completely untold – humanitarian operation. This operation was one of the largest actions to aid Jews of the entire war and far eclipsed the better-known efforts of Oskar Schindler. In concert with two Jewish activists, these diplomat…

1
Shakespeare's Hamlet, Act IV 51:02

2M ago51:02

51:02

Join the guys as they delve into the heart of Shakespeare's masterpiece, Hamlet. Act IV revolves around a pivotal moment in the play where the intricate web of deceit and ambition begins to unravel. From the haunting soliloquies to the dramatic confrontations, how this act shapes the course of the tragedy, leading to the climactic finale, is analyz…

1
Stories From Captives on The Last Slave Ship to America 29:41

2M ago29:41

29:41

The Clotilda was the last slave ship to land on American soil, docked in Mobile Bay, Alabama, in July 1860—more than half a century after the passage of a federal law banning the importation of slaves, and nine months before the beginning of the Civil War. Five of its passengers, ranging in age from two to nineteen when kidnapped, died between 1922…

1
Was Union Support in the Confederacy Actually Widespread? The Alabamans Who Fought for Sherman Say 'Yes' 49:24

2M ago49:24

49:24

As the popular narrative goes, the Civil War was won when courageous Yankees triumphed over the South. But an aspect of the war that has remained little-known for 160 years is the Alabamian Union soldiers who played a decisive role in the Civil War, only to be scrubbed from the history books. One such group was the First Alabama Calvary, formed in …

1
Devin Stauffer on Leo Strauss' Natural Right & History, Chapter 5, Part 1 on Hobbes 1:24:02

2M ago1:24:02

1:24:02

Join us as we delve into the profound insights of political philosopher Leo Strauss' Natural Right and History featuring returning special guest Devin Stauffer, Professor and Associate Chair at UT Austin. In this episode, the group unravel the complexities of Chapter 5, Part 1, exploring Thomas Hobbes' enduring impact on political theory.…

1
The Heroes, Legends, and Liars Who Fought in WW2 35:37

2M ago35:37

35:37

Veterans of World War 2 are called the Greatest Generation for their uncommon courage and self-determination. Whether this descriptor is true or part of America’s self-mythologizing during the 20th century is a challenging question, one that Andrew Biggio, a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, worked to answer. Biggio found that many were …

1
Turning Okies Into New Dealers: How 1930s Technocrats Pushed Progressivism on Dust Bowl Refugees in Federal Farm Camps 38:45

3M ago38:45

38:45

In the midst of the Great Depression, punished by crippling drought and deepening poverty, hundreds of thousands of families left the Great Plains and the Southwest to look for work in California’s rich agricultural valleys. In response to the scene of destitute white families living in filthy shelters built of cardboard, twigs, and refuse, reform-…

1
Kaishuo Chen on Confucius and Esotericism 1:04:38

2M ago1:04:38

1:04:38

Kaishuo Chen, a PhD student at Boston College, joins the guys this week for a dive into the teachings of Confucius and exploring the intersection of his philosophy with esotericism. Uncover the practical applications of this unique blend, as the group navigates the ancient teachings and its relevance today, shedding light on the practical implicati…

1
Whistle-Stop Tours: When Trains Ruled American Presidential Elections 36:42

3M ago36:42

36:42

For nearly two centuries, the beating heart of electoral politics was on the back of a train. William Jennings Bryan spoke to an estimated 5 million people from a train car in his 1896 presidential campaign. Yet memories of the pivotal role campaign trains played in American elections fade with the passing of each generation. Also forgotten are the…

1
The Jewish Bankers Who Built Wall Street, Financed the American Century, and Spawned Countless Conspiracy Theories 42:50

3M ago42:50

42:50

Joseph Seligman arrived in the United States in 1837, with the equivalent of $100 sewn into the lining of his pants. Then came the Lehman brothers, who would open a general store in Montgomery, Alabama. Not far behind were Solomon Loeb and Marcus Goldman, among the “Forty-Eighters” fleeing a Germany that had relegated Jews to an underclass. These i…

1
Xenophon's Apology 53:08

3M ago53:08

53:08

In this episode, delve into the profound philosophical insights of Xenophon's Apology as the guys explore the teachings and reflections of Socrates from Xenophon's point of view. Unravel the layers of Socratic thought and its enduring relevance in modern ethical discourse, as you tour through the intellectual landscape of classical Greek philosophy…

1
The Ghost Army of World War 2 41:39

3M ago41:39

41:39

In the summer of 1944, a handpicked group of young GIs—including such future luminaries such as Bill Blass, Ellsworth Kelly, Arthur Singer, Victor Dowd, Art Kane, and Jack Masey—landed in France to conduct a secret mission. From Normandy to the Rhine, the 1,100 men of the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, known as the Ghost Army, conjured up phony …

1
How Free Time Transformed From Strolls Through Aristocratic Gardens to Doomscrolling on TikTok 31:30

3M ago31:30

31:30

Free time, one of life’s most important commodities, often feels unfulfilling. But why? And how did leisure activities transition from strolling in the park for hours to “doomscrolling” on social media for thirty minutes? Despite the promise of modern industrialization, many people experience both a scarcity of free time and a disappointment in it.…

1
Roundtable Discussion of Leo Strauss' Natural Right and History 1:00:58

3M ago1:00:58

1:00:58

This week, Greg and Alex are joined roundtable-style at UATX by Mark Blitz, Fletcher Jones Professor of Political Philosophy at Claremont McKenna University; Devin Stauffer, Professor and Associate Chair at UT Austin; and Christopher T. Lynch, Head of the Political Science and Philosophy Department at Missouri State University. Together, the group …

1
Everyday Life In a War Zone: How To Live For Years With Air Raid Sirens and Tanks in the Street 35:42

3M ago35:42

35:42

What goes through the mind of a mother who must send her child to school across a minefield or the men who belong to groups of volunteer body collectors? When living in a warzone, such questions become part of the daily calculus of life. This is an everyday form of war that included provisioning fighters with military equipment they purchased thems…

1
Behind the Bulldog: Winston Churchill's Public Image vs. Private Reality, Based on Those Who Knew Him 37:49

3M ago37:49

37:49

Winston Churchill remains one of the most revered figures of the twentieth century, his name a byword for courageous leadership. But the Churchill we know today is a mixture of history and myth, authored by the man himself. Today’s guest, David Reynolds, author of “Mirrors of Greatness: Churchill and the Leaders Who Shaped Him,” re-evaluates Church…

1
Shakespeare's Hamlet, Act III 50:07

3M ago50:07

50:07

This week, the guys continue their mini-series breaking down Shakespeare's Hamlet, this time with a focus on Act III. Delve into the intricate web of Hamlet's psyche as the unraveling Prince grapples with questions of sanity. Explore the iconic soliloquy that has echoed through the centuries, underlining the profound depths of Shakespeare's timeles…

1
American Anarchy of the Early 1900s and The First U.S. War Against Domestic Extremists 40:57

3M ago40:57

40:57

In the early twentieth century, anarchists like Emma Goldman and Alexander Berkman championed a radical vision of a world without states, laws, or private property. Militant and sometimes violent, anarchists were heroes to many working-class immigrants. But to many others, anarchism was a terrifyingly foreign ideology. Determined to crush it, gover…

1
Why Armies Stopped Burning Libraries and Weaponized Them Instead 40:07

3M ago40:07

40:07

Books are often seen as “victims” of combat. When the flames of warfare turn libraries to ashes, we grieve this loss as an immense human and cultural tragedy. But that’s not the complete picture. Books were used in war across the twentieth century—both as agents for peace and as weapons. On one hand, books represent solace and solidarity for troops…

1
Ronna Burger on Moses as Lawgiver and Founder 1:22:05

3M ago1:22:05

1:22:05

This week, the guys are joined by Ronna Burger, Professor of Philosophy, Catherine & Henry J. Gaisman Chair, and Director of Judeo-Christian Studies among other prestigious titles at Tulane University. Burger provides insights on the profound legacy of Moses, delving into the intersection of biblical wisdom and Greek philosophy. Plus: timeless insi…

1
Shining Light on the British Dark Ages: Anglo-Saxon Warfare, 400-1070 42:01

3M ago42:01

42:01

In a country fragmented by Roman withdrawal during the 5th century, the employment of Germanic mercenaries by local rulers in Anglo-Saxon Britain was commonplace. These mercenaries became settlers, forcing Romano-British communities into Wales and the West Country. Against a background of spreading Christianity, the struggles of rival British and A…

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