Fools and Sages

Erez Levin: Taboos and Hacking The Body Politic 95, wherein The Fools welcome guest, Erez Levin, an advertising technologist who's trying to engineer big pro-social norm shifting changes in that industry. He's an outspoken critic of his former employer, Google. He's now focused on restoring societies big social taboos against overt hatred. He writes on this topic on his substack, Holdi...

Join the Fools as they explore the depths of the Tao Te Ching with Dr. David Marshall, a China scholar and expert in world religions. We discuss translation challenges, the metaphysical nature of the Tao, and its relevance to modern life and spirituality.

In this episode The Fools explore the complex relationship between psychedelics, traditional knowledge, and modern science. It emphasizes the importance of humility, tradition, and responsible use in integrating psychedelics into mainstream medicine and society.

Slicing Up The Pepperoni of Time 92, in which the Fools explore time, how humans relate to it and some of the famous debates about its nature, like that between Albert Einstein and Henri Bergson in the early 20th century. They explore its connection to questions around identity, being and the purpose of life, and some useful takeaways.

In this discussion The Fools Explore the metaphor of explicit playing cards to understand philosophy, self-identity, and the process of individuation. A deep dive into Nietzsche, Heidegger, and the stages of personal development through metaphorical imagery. And an explanation of the Fools and Sages as a philosophical project...

In this insightful interview with the Fools, Dr. Stephen Hicks explores the complex relationship between philosophy, consciousness, and reality, delving into the historical development of ideas from ancient philosophy to postmodernism. Discover how different philosophical positions influence our understanding of the self, objectivity, and the pursuit of truth.

Who's Your Daddy? Orphans Discuss Fatherhood 89 , Wherein The Fools explore the archetype of the father, its psychological significance, and its role in personal and cultural development. The conversation delves into the transition from mother to father archetypes, the internalization of authority, and the creative force of fatherhood in life and renewal.

This episode explores the complex relationship between money, freedom, and consciousness. The Fools discuss personal experiences, cultural influences, and philosophical insights into how money acts as an intermediary between the internal and external worlds, and how language and societal narratives shape our perceptions.

In this conversation, the Fools explore the themes of raising poultry, the ethics of animal slaughter, and the consciousness involved in food production. They discuss the cycle of life, the morality of killing animals for food, and the cultural perspectives surrounding these practices. The conversation emphasizes the importance of mindfulness and purity of intent in our relationships with the food...

Krishnan Venkatesh: Sauntering Into The Unknown: Thoreau and Basho 85 wherein The Fools explore the profound connections between walking, nature, and mortality through a rich dialogue on philosophy, culture, and spiritual practice with Guest, Tutor, Author, Krishnan Venkatesh. Discover how ancient traditions and modern insights converge to deepen our understanding of life and death.

In this episode of the Fools and Sages podcast, The Fools welcome James Hartree, an educational innovator and director of the Institute for Classical Dialogue. They discuss the current crisis in education, the importance of classical education, and how it can address modern challenges. James shares insights on innovative educational projects in New Mexico, the interconnection of speaking, thinking...

This conversation delves into the complexities of Judeo-Christian values, the relationship between different religions, and the philosophical implications of existence. The Fools explore the utility of religion, the nature of care and concern, and the influence of cultural contexts on values. They discuss the differences between Jewish and Christian atheism, the role of internal versus external ci...

This conversation delves into the exploration of various spiritual paths, examining the differences and similarities among them. The discussion highlights the importance of both heart and mind in spiritual practices, the nature of aloneness versus community, and the role of ceremonies in spirituality. It also contrasts the concepts of magic and theogeny, emphasizing the significance of philosophy...

In this engaging conversation, the Fools delve into the intricate relationship between narratives, self-awareness, and the dynamics of dialogue. The discussion also touches on the archetypal nature of these narratives, linking them to stages of personal development, suggesting that our stories shape our perceptions and interactions with the world. As the conversation progresses, they reflect on th...

This conversation explores the concept of organizations as living systems, emphasizing their dependence on language and meaning transfer. The discussion delves into the nature of free will, consciousness, and cognitive models, highlighting the importance of dialogue in expanding understanding. The speakers reflect on collective wisdom, the integration of ancient insights with modern perspectives,...

Heidegger and The Ontological Goo 80 wherein the Fools explore the themes of New Year's resolutions, personal growth, and philosophical insights on human existence. They discuss the nature of Being, the role of language in shaping reality, and the importance of dialogue in self-discovery. The conversation emphasizes the need for self-mastery and the examined life, highlighting the interconnect...

This conversation delves into the intricate relationships between liberty, democracy, and cognitive models shaped by religious beliefs. It explores how different religions interpret spiritual experiences and the role of narrative in creating meaning. The discussion also touches on the physicality of spiritual experiences, the implications of Judeo-Christian values, and the concept of privilege in...

The Fools talk with the encyclopedic political and presidential historian Rich Rubino about the past year in National and Global politics from an historical, non-partisan perspective.

Paul Fenn: Liberty, Democracy, Localism and The Bloody Rhinoceros Head 77 wherein The Fools discuss, with author, activist, political philosopher Paul Fenn, his latest work, The Localist Manifesto. In 1995 Paul co-authored the nation's landmark municipal aggregation legislation in Massachusetts and authored California's 2002 Community Choice (CCA) law, Assembly Bill 117. Since then, Fenn h...

In this conversation, Brian and Boaz explore various themes including the challenges of climate change, the complexities of infrastructure development, the role of authority in collective action, and the balance between individual desires and the suffering of others. They delve into philosophical discussions about idealism versus materialism, the importance of social cohesion, and the ethical impl...

We discuss the idea of "combating hate " and the dangers of generalities, evolving into a discussion of aspects of Marxism, materialism and finally a discussion of ideas of The Self and their connection to our lives, our self-understanding and ultimately our self-fulfillment. And the tricky handling of this slippery fish in general. As always not scripted, not AI.

Us fools talk with physicist rabbi Jack Shlacter about bridging the gulf between the material and the spiritual, free will, determinism, antisemitism and the Judaic traditions thru time.

We discuss the wisdom that Aristotle called the "Charioteer of the virtues" without which all our other virtues would be "blind"...what it is, how it comes about and more...plus we touch on rationality in daily life and that slipperiest of all fishes, happiness...

Life in the Dangerous Middle....in the liminal zones are found both life and creativity, the space between light and dark, between order and chaos, between waking life and the world of dreams....join us to explore the secrets of dancing on that line...

Larry Shapiro, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at University of Wisconsin, joins these Fools to talk about why it’s essential for philosophy to play a central role in other disciplines. In particular, as science attempts to answer some of the “big questions of philosophy” - free will, consciousness, and happiness - philosophy has a great deal to offer. Larry introduces ideas from his upcoming boo...