Chasing Leviathan

On this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Michael Patrick Lynch discusses his book, The Nature of Truth, and the goal of creating an anthology on the question of truth. They explore common misconceptions about truth and the importance of understanding what it means when we talk about propositions being true or false. The conversation delves into the metaphysical and semantic aspects of trut...

On this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Mark Roche discuss the practical, intrinsic, and moral value of a liberal arts education, as well as the role of educators in shaping the learning experience. The conversation delves into the Enlightenment and counter-Enlightenment, as well as the impact of education on individual growth and societal discourse.  For a deep dive into Mark Roche's wor...

On this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Jeremy Begbie discuss the importance of integrating the worlds of art and theology. Dr. Begbie explores the concept of reductionism and its dangers, highlighting how the arts can resist reductionism and offer unique insights into human experience. They also reflect on the unique nature of music, and how it can be meaningful without specifically deno...

On this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Jason Eberl discuss the questions of human nature, human personhood, and the mind-body relationship. Dr. Eberl highlights the field of bioethics and its intersection with philosophy and theology. Together, they explore conceptions of human nature including dualism, materialism, and hylomorphism. The conversation emphasizes the importance of consider...

On this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. N. Gray Sutanto discuss the work of Dutch Calvinist theologian Herman Bavinck, particularly his work on the inescapability of Christian revelation in all philosophical knowing. For a deep dive into N. Gray Sutanto's work, check out his book: Philosophy of Revelation: A New Annotated Edition 👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1683071360/ Check out our blog...

On this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Cynthia R. Wallace discuss the contradictions and impact of Simone Weil's life and work. Dr. Wallace explores the importance of embodiment in Weil's philosophy and the connection between obligations and the body. She highlights the impact of Weil's Christian convictions, particularly those related to self-sacrifice, and how they led to both pathways...

On this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Amber Jamilla Musser discuss the concept of sensation and how it shapes our understanding of the world. She examines various works of art, including the film ‘Us’ by Jordan Peele and the dance piece ‘Shango’ by Katherine Dunham to explore the complexities of representation and authenticity. The conversation focuses on the importance of attunement an...

On this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Ibe Liebenberg discuss the role of poetry in processing and expressing trauma. Ibe shares how his work as both a firefighter and lecturer at Chico State University inform his creative process. The conversation highlights the power of poetry in addressing societal issues and the importance of finding a supportive community for creative expression. For a...

On this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Caroline Pennock discuss the gap in Indigenous history being brought to European consciousness and the erasure of Indigenous perspectives in colonial societies. She highlights the complexity and diversity of Indigenous experiences, exploring a third culture that emerges between Indigenous and European cultures in the Americas. The conversation empha...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Adrie Kusserow discuss her use of prose poetry to explore trauma and culture. She explains that her background in anthropology and her dissatisfaction with academic writing led her to embrace poetry as a way to capture the complexity of human experiences. The conversation explores the importance of storytelling in the lives of refugees and the impac...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Nikky Singh discuss her personal journey with Sikhi and her work in introducing Sikhi, translating Sikh hymns, and taking a feminist approach to Sikh literature. For a deep dive into Nikky Singh's work, check out her recent book: Janamsakhi: Paintings of Guru Nanak in Early Sikh Art 👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/9392130805 Check out our blog on www.c...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Nancy Bradbury discuss the study of pre-modern reading practices of proverbs, particularly in Chaucer's works. Dr. Bradbury explores the contestation between clerics and working-class individuals, as well as the anti-feminist proverbs countered by the wife of Bath. Through the conversation, listeners are invited to reconsider the role of proverbs in...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Christopher Hamilton discuss the variety of rapturous moments that humans experience throughout their lives. Dr. Hamilton explores the common thread of rapture between such diverse activities as gardening, tightrope walking, and sexual intimacy, inviting us all to slow down and make ourselves open to small, albeit significant moments, of incredible...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Robert Pippin discuss Heidegger's metaphysics and his conclusion that Hegel was the culmination of the Western philosophical tradition. Pippin explores Heidegger's question of the meaning of being and how it differs from traditional philosophical inquiries, as well as Heidegger's critique of Hegel's concept of finitude. Dr. Pippin also discusses Hei...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Stanley Hauerwas discuss Living Gently in a Violent World and the inspiration behind it. Hauerwas reflects on the controversy surrounding co-author Jean Vanier and the L'Arche movement. Dr. Hauervass explores the concept of time and the importance of patience in our lives. He also discusses Sabbath, American culture, and Martha Nussbaum's work on di...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Marcy Norton discuss the different ways Europeans and indigenous peoples in the Americas interacted with animals, and how their encounter re-shaped both groups' perceptions of non-human creatures. Dr. Norton invites us to consider the conditions that promote empathy and curiosity towards animals and to question cultural blind spots regarding which a...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Angela Knobel discuss the difference between acquired and infused virtue and the role of grace in Thomas Aquinas' work on moral development. They also have a fascinating and informative exchange comparing Reformed and Catholic approaches to issues of nature, virtue, and grace. For a deep dive into Angela Knobel's work, check out her book: Aquinas an...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Alex Reid discuss the role of digital media technologies in shaping communication and knowledge production. He explores the impact of generative AI and the changing landscape of technology in fields like digital marketing and filmmaking. Dr. Reid also examines how technology shapes our attention and behaviors, necessitating new forms of democracy an...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Chip Colwell discuss the origin of things, exploring how humans went from having nothing to having everything over the course of four million years. Dr. Colwell emphasizes the interplay between biology and culture, highlighting how our ancestors' use of tools led to physiological changes and the emergence of art and religion. He also explores the me...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Colin Webster discuss the impact of tools and technology on ancient understandings of the human body. Dr. Webster explores historical shifts of our views of the body, and the wisdom that can be gained from studying historical paradigms of medicine from ancient cultures. For a deep dive into Colin Webster's work, check out his book: Tools and the Org...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Jeremy Weber discuss the importance of understanding statistics in the context of public policy. Dr. Weber provides helpful insights into interpreting statistics, including common mistakes in reading and using them. While we often think of statistics as final nail in policymaking decisions, Dr. Weber explains why they are rarely decisive on their ow...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. David Banks discuss how the attention economy has led to the rise of "authentic" urban lifestyles. Dr. Banks explains how social media and other cultural forces have played on our nostalgia in ways that makes groups as different as urban hipsters and MAGA supporters in small-town America seek to find, or recreate, romanticized caricatures of past de...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Samuel W. Franklin discuss the concept of creativity and its historical development. Dr. Franklin examines the disagreements and fuzziness surrounding the definition of creativity and its connection to art, imagination, and genius. He also delves into the relationship between creativity and capitalism, highlighting the ways in which creativity has b...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Michael Sawyer discuss the concept of temporality, particularly in relation to the diasporic black subject. Dr. Sawyer explores the fractured temporal relationships experienced by individuals who have been affected by catastrophic events such as the Middle Passage and current experiences of racial oppression. For a deep dive into Michael Sawyer's wo...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Nicholas Dirks discuss the crisis of the humanities being seen on many college campuses, including challenges to the free exchange of speech. Dirks calls explores origins of the humanities in the university and calls for a re-imagining of humanistic learning to address contemporary challenges. For a deep dive into Nicholas Dirks' work, check out his...