Chasing Leviathan

In this episode of the Chasing Leviathan podcast, PJ and Dr. Joel Reynolds discuss the ableist assumptions and conflations that undermine the dignity and rights of disabled persons. Dr. Reynolds also shares how their work (and their own story) highlights the ways in which the lived experiences of disabled persons challenge commonly held assertions of what it means to live a good life.  For a deep...

In this episode of the Chasing Leviathan podcast, PJ and Dr. Djene Bajalan discuss how historical factors like the nation-state project of the Ottoman Empire and World War I contributed to the Kurdish movements for independence we see today. In case you missed it, we highly recommend that you listen to our previous episode, "What is Nationalism?" as it gives some crucial context for this episode's...

In this episode of the Chasing Leviathan podcast, PJ and Dr. Djene Bajalan discuss the various ways that nationalism is defined, how nationalism intersects with political, cultural, and religious identities, and how nation states form, setting the groundwork for their next conversation on Kurdish history.  For a deep dive into Dr. Djene Bajalan's work, check out his book: Studies in Kurdish Histor...

In this episode of the Chasing Leviathan podcast, PJ and Dr. Kevin McCain discuss how we develop scientific knowledge, how scientific explanations differ from other types of explanations, and what we should rationally expect of scientific theories.  For a deep dive into Dr. Kevin McCain's work, check out his book: The Nature of Scientific Knowledge: An Explanatory Approach 👉 https://www.amazon.co...

In this episode of the Chasing Leviathan podcast, PJ and Dr. Colin McAllister discuss the end of the world and the ancient literature that prophesied of a coming apocalypse. Drawing on his musical expertise, Dr. McAllister also explores the process of creating music that conveys the dread and awe of the end times. For a deep dive into Dr. Colin McAllister's work, check out his book: The Cambridge...

In this episode of the Chasing Leviathan podcast, PJ and Dr. Brian Cummings discuss the history of the book, particularly as it relates to issues of power, social control, and backlash against "dangerous" books. Dr. Cummings also explores the interplay of books and belief in the history of global religions. For a deep dive into Dr. Dr. Brian Cummings' work, check out his book: Bibliophobia: The En...

In this episode of the Chasing Leviathan podcast, PJ and Dr. David Peña-Guzmán discuss how research on the dreams of non-human animals is providing new insight into the nature of consciousness. They also discuss the ethical impact this body of research could have, especially as it becomes more evident that humans and other animals are not as different as previously believed. For a deep dive into D...

In this episode of the Chasing Leviathan podcast, PJ and Dr. Ovamir Anjum discuss the political and theological history of Islam, focusing on the contributions of medieval theologian Ibn Taymiyyah. Dr. Anjum also explores our conceptualization of "the West" and how Islam should complicate our assumptions. For a deep dive into Dr. Ovamir Anjum's work, check out his book: Politics, Law, and Communit...

In this episode of the Chasing Leviathan podcast, PJ and Dr. Kevin Elliott discuss the ethics of scientific research, focusing on whether it would be ideal for science to be "value free." For a deep dive into Dr. Kevin Elliott's work, check out his book: Values in Science (Elements in the Philosophy of Science) 👉 https://www.amazon.com/Values-Science-Elements-Philosophy/dp/1009055631 Check out ou...

In this episode of the Chasing Leviathan podcast, PJ and Dr. Steven Nadler discuss the heated debates between Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, Antoine Arnauld, and Nicolas de Malebranche over how to best answer the theological problem of evil and suffering. Dr. Nadler not only provides historical insight into this particular conversation, but also reflects on the impact that theological speculation has...

In this episode of the Chasing Leviathan podcast, PJ and Dr. Heather Akou discuss the surprisingly complex question of whether uniforms should be implemented in the workplace, schools, prisons, and other public spaces. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Akou shares fascinating snippets from the history of fashion and uniforms. For a deep dive into Dr. Heather Akou's work, check out her research: htt...

In this episode of the Chasing Leviathan podcast, PJ and Dr. Alyn Shipton discuss Dr. Shipton's journey into the world of jazz as a historian, broadcaster, and musician. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Shipton shares little-known stories from the lives of some of the most accomplished jazz musicians of the 20th century.  For a deep dive into Dr. Alyn Shipton's work, check out his book: On Jazz: A...

In this episode of the Chasing Leviathan podcast, PJ and Dr. Michael Clune discuss the value of forming judgments about works of literature and responds to criticisms that such judgments necessarily entail elitism. Dr. Clune also shares how great literature can hone both our aesthetic sensibilities and moral intuitions.  For a deep dive into Dr. Michael Clune's work, check out his book:  A Defense...

In this episode of the Chasing Leviathan podcast, PJ and Dr. Anna-Sofia Maurin discuss the longstanding debate on the existence (or non-existence) of properties. Dr. Maurin also explores the challenges that arise in translating what we say into logic. For a deep dive into Dr. Anna-Sofia Maurin's work, check out her book: Properties (Elements in Metaphysics) 👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B7JTS992/...

In this episode of the Chasing Leviathan podcast, PJ and Dr. Christopher Lauer discuss his philosophical work on intimacy. They discuss Dr. Lauer's dialectic approach to the topic, the contradictions that arise in the pursuit of intimacy, and the ways in which Napoleon Dynamite can help us think through the difficulties of making a transcendent connection with another person.  For a deep dive into...

In this episode of the Chasing Leviathan podcast, PJ and Dr. Amy Kind discuss her philosophical work on imagination and creative thinking. They explore the various types of imagination we regularly exercise, how imagination and creative thinking can make us more empathetic, and whether these facets of our mind are skills that we can train and develop.  For a deep dive into Dr. Amy Kind's work, che...

In this episode of the Chasing Leviathan podcast, PJ and Dr. Paul Craddock discuss the history of transplant surgeries, exploring how changes in medical science both affect and reflect beliefs about what it means to be human. For a deep dive into Dr. Paul Craddock's work, check out his book: Spare Parts: The Story of Medicine Through the History of Transplant Surgery 👉 https://a.co/d/7qTjgLS  Sub...

In this episode of the Chasing Leviathan podcast, PJ and Dr. Jonathan Chimakonam discuss his work on developing a system of logic from African intellectual traditions. Dr. Chimakonam also explains how an African system of logic could provide answers for the world's most pressing social and scientific issues. For a deep dive into Dr. Jonathan Chimakonam's work, check out his book: Ezumezu: A System...

In this episode of the Chasing Leviathan podcast, PJ and Dr. Sarah Worth discuss her work on food philosophy and the fascinating history of the slow food movement. They also talk about our problematic tendency to reduce food to nutrition statistics and chemical components.  For a deep dive into Dr. Sarah Worth's work, check out her book: Taste: A Philosophy of Food 👉 https://a.co/d/aDZm2y4  Check...

In this episode of the Chasing Leviathan podcast, PJ and Dr. Vonetta Dotson discuss her research on the science behind cognitive health and practical ways in which we can maintain healthy brains into the latter years of our lives.  For a deep dive into Dr. Vonetta Dotson's work, check out her book: Keep Your Wits About You: The Science of Brain Maintenance as You Age 👉 https://a.co/d/iCL9Hzq You...

In this episode of the Chasing Leviathan podcast, PJ and Dr. David Norton discuss his research on the counterintuitive effects that privacy notices can have on consumers' sense of online safety and trust.  For a deep dive into Dr. David Norton's work, check out his article: The Bulletproof Glass Effect: Unintended Consequences of Privacy Notices 👉 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0022...

In this episode of the Chasing Leviathan podcast, PJ and Dr. Catherine Malabou discuss her work on Kant's transcendental philosophy and its potential synthesis with contemporary research in neurobiology. Dr. Catherine Malabou is professor of philosophy at Kingston University and the European Graduate School. She also serves as professor of comparative literature at the University of California, Ir...

In this episode of the Chasing Leviathan podcast, PJ and Dr. Joe Meyer of The Neutral Ground Podcast celebrate the first anniversary of Chasing Leviathan by discussing some of the most impactful conversations they've had on their podcasts over the past year. For a deep dive into Dr. Joe Meyer's work, check out his podcast: The Neutral Ground Podcast 👉 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClSW07ZA4XAS...

In this episode of the Chasing Leviathan podcast, PJ and Dr. Rebecca Lave discuss the ways in which socio-cultural, physical, and spatial elements affect the environments around us and impact our communities. Dr. Lave also provides insights into the ways in which geography can be a vital part of conversations regarding justice issues. For a deep dive into Dr. Rebecca Lave's work, check out her boo...

In this episode of the Chasing Leviathan podcast, PJ and Dr. Roberta Flowers discuss the joys and challenges of practicing in the area of elder law. Dr. Flowers reflects on ways that lawyers can better serve aging clients, as well as signs of a good elder law attorney.  Along with serving as a professor of law at Stetson University, Dr. Flowers also serves as president of the National Association...