Chasing Leviathan

On this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Dagmar Herzog discuss her book 'The Question of Unworthy Life: Eugenics and Germany's Twentieth Century', exploring the historical context of eugenics in Germany, the appeal of eugenics despite its shaky scientific basis, and the importance of memory politics in addressing past atrocities. Herzog emphasizes the need for a shift in language and perce...

On this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Carlos Sánchez discuss his book 'Blooming in the Ruins: How Mexican Philosophy Can Guide Us toward the Good Life.' Sánchez shares his personal journey from studying advertising to philosophy, highlighting the key themes of embodiment, colonialism, and self-knowledge in Mexican thought. He also emphasizes the value of Mexican philosophy in understand...

On this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Adam Walker discuss the purpose behind his YouTube Channel, Close Reading Poetry. They explore the role of community in literature, the importance of oral tradition in poetry, and the various critical lenses used in literary analysis. The conversation highlights the significance of language and sound in poetry, advocating for a more human and emotio...

On this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Deondra Rose discuss her book, 'The Power of Black Excellence: HBCUs and the Fight for American Democracy,' which explores the historical significance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in promoting education, political engagement, and civil rights for Black Americans. Dr. Rose emphasizes the unique role of HBCUs in fostering le...

On this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Jeff Bilbro discuss his book 'Words for Conviviality: Media Technologies and Practices of Hope,' which examines how historical media technologies can inform our understanding of contemporary digital media. The discussion delves into the importance of literature in shaping communication, the non-neutrality of technology, and the need for practices th...

On this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Justin Brierley discuss his book 'The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God: Why New Atheism Grew Old and Secular Thinkers are Considering Christianity Again.' They discuss the evolution of atheism, the reconsideration of Christianity by secular thinkers, and the importance of community and repentance in modern faith. Brierley explores the challenge of ob...

On this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Sean McGrath discuss his book 'Political Eschatology,' exploring the intersection of eschatological thought and political action. McGrath emphasizes the importance of understanding eschatology not just as a theological concept, but as a framework for political engagement and social justice. The discussion delves into the historical roots of eschatol...

On this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Joshua R. Brown discuss his book 'Aquinas and the Early Chinese Masters,' exploring the intersection of Chinese philosophy and Catholic theology. Brown shares his personal journey from Southern Baptist to Catholic theologian, and his influence by his Malaysian-Chinese wife. Their discussion delves into the philosophical dialogue between Thomism and...

On this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Lee Braver delve into the philosophy of Martin Heidegger, focusing on his views on thinking, the evolution of his ideas, and the significance of wonder and dwelling in philosophical inquiry. They explore the relationship between courage and confronting nihilism, the nature of questions, and the limits of explanation, ultimately emphasizing the inter...

On this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Mauricio Suarez discuss the evolution of scientific representation, the shift from syntactic to semantic views, and the importance of pragmatism and deflationism in understanding models in science. Dr. Suarez draws parallels between the practices of science and art, emphasizing the need for philosophy to be responsive to actual scientific practices....

On this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Rajbir Judge discuss the historical context of late 19th century Punjab, focusing on the figure of Duleep Singh. Dr. Judge delves into themes of myth-making, sovereignty, and the complexities of community and conversion within the Sikh tradition. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding loss, navigating fractured inheritances, and e...

On this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Victor Kumar explore the evolution of morality, its components, and its critical role in human development. Dr. Kumar emphasizes the importance of moral emotions, norms, and reasoning, and how these elements have shaped human social structures and adaptability. They also touch on the evolution of altruism and the future moral challenges society face...

On this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Wray Vamplew discuss the historical significance of sports from ancient times to the present. Dr. Vamplew emphasizes the importance of sports in society, its relationship with money and gambling, and how technology has transformed the way sports are played and perceived. They touch on the cultural and political implications of sports, the misconcept...

On this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Michael Allen Gillespie explore the philosophical underpinnings of modernity, particularly focusing on nominalism and realism. Dr. Gillespie delves into the historical context of humanism, the evolution of social contract theory, and the contributions of figures like Hobbes and Eckhart to modern thought. Dr. Gillespie emphasizes the importance of un...

On this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Carl Öhman discuss the implications of data privacy, especially after we die. Together they review the fragility of digital information, the ethical considerations surrounding data ownership, and the legal landscape of data privacy. Dr. Öhman also points to the cultural significance of digital remains, and the collective nature of data privacy in a...

On this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Eyo Ewara discuss his article on white ignorance and anti-racism, exploring the complexities of anti-racist efforts and the importance of understanding the context in which they occur. Dr. Ewara emphasizes the need for self-critique and awareness of the potential dangers of well-meaning actions, as well as the significance of the right to opacity in...

On this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Linda Alcoff discuss the life and work of Charles Mills, a radical philosopher who made significant contributions to the methodology of political philosophy. Dr. Alcoff explores Mills' emphasis on the importance of understanding the historical and political context in which ideas are developed, arguing for a shift from ideal theory to non-ideal theo...

On this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Nima Bassiri discuss the intersection of psychiatry and capitalism. Dr. Bassiri argues that the concept of 'pathological value' is central to understanding this intersection, as it refers to the economic worth conferred upon madness. Dr. Bassiri traces the history of madness and capitalism, highlighting how certain forms of pathology can be seen as...

On this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Melissa Reynolds discuss  the relationship between ordinary people and books in early modern England. She focuses on practical manuscripts that contain medical recipes and astrological wisdom, or "prognostications," which were accessible to a broader population.  Dr. Reynolds examines the consequences of putting common people at the center of the ne...

On this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Peter Adamson discuss his book series ‘A History of Philosophy without any Gaps,’ which aims to provide a comprehensive and inclusive history of philosophy. The project initially focused on filling historical gaps in the teaching of philosophy, but it expanded to cover minor figures, non-Western philosophy, and female philosophers. Together they dis...

On this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Peter Trawny discuss his book 'Freedom to Fail: Heidegger's Anarchy' and the relationship between philosophy, truth, and errancy. Dr. Trawny explores the concept of authenticity and the responsibility of philosophers. He suggests that learning silence and finding a place of seriousness can be a starting point for navigating the challenges of our cur...

On this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Carolyn Laubender discuss the politics of psychoanalytic practice and the need to address its relationship to social justice. Dr. Laubender explores the historical and theoretical aspects of psychoanalysis, particularly in relation to the concept of neutrality. They delve into the concept of emotional security and its political implications. Their c...

On this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Graham McAleer discuss his book Tolkien, Philosopher of War. The book explores the themes of war, hierarchy, and the analogy of being in Tolkien's writings. McAleer explains that his interest in the philosophy of war stems from his background in medieval philosophy and Thomas Aquinas' treatise on the problem of killing. He also discusses the influen...

On this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Sarita Srivastava discuss her book, “Are You Calling Me a Racist?”: Why We Need to Stop Talking about Race and Start Making Real Antiracist Change. They touch on the need to shift the focus from individual guilt to systemic change in addressing racism. The conversation highlights recent examples such as racism claims within the British royal family...

On this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Ryan Holston discusses his book, Tradition and the Deliberative Turn, which explores democracy and the importance of small-scale communities in fostering genuine deliberation. Holston draws inspiration from philosopher Hans-Georg Gadamer, emphasizing the historical nature of communities and the need for shared practices and meanings. They also touch...