Chasing Leviathan

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Michael Ruse discuss Darwin's theory of evolution, its history, and its continued impact on debates between science and religion. For a deep dive into Dr. Michael Ruse's work, check out his book: Understanding Natural Selection 👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1009088327 Check out our blog on www.candidgoatproductions.com Who thinks that they can subdue...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. John Colman discuss the impact of John Locke on the American Founding Fathers' conceptions of religious liberty. Following Locke, American thinkers such as Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin believed that rigid religious orthodoxy, particularly Christian orthodoxy, posed a significant barrier to the realization of religious liberty. Dr. Colman e...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Jack Zipes discuss how fairy tales offered a means to process the trauma of the world wars and criticize the dictators who instigated them. Dr. Zipes also explores the rich, intertwined history of European fairy tales and politics, including the surprising proto-feminist themes of French fairy tales. For a deep dive into Dr. Jack Zipes' work, check...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Lixing Sun discuss the biological and psychological foundations for many of our commonly held assumptions about fairness and lying. Dr. Sun explores the fascinating ways in which organic life, even down to the individual cell, is hard-wired to "cheat" and "lie." Dr. Sun also invites us to rethink our ethics of truth-telling, particularly as some for...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Brent Waters discuss the importance of the mundane in loving our neighbors and families. Dr. Waters explores how Christian beliefs such as the Incarnation point to God's care for everyday, "boring" activities, as well as how regular play is vital to the pursuit of a flourishing life. For a deep dive into Dr. Brent Water's work, check out his book: C...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Anat Matar discuss the ways in which ethical theories often fail to improve human life and can even be used to justify atrocious actions, as seen in ongoing humanitarian violations against Palestinian children. Dr. Matar also explores the difference between the political and the moral, arguing that ethics ultimately "derive from leftist politics." F...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Eileen Ka-May Cheng discuss historiography and the complexities that surround theories of history-making. Though we are often raised to think of history as a series of facts about past events, Dr. Cheng challenges our preconceived notions of historical fact and narrative creation. Dr. Cheng also highlights the importance of historical pursuits to th...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Matt Traxler discuss the interdisciplinary field of language science. Dr. Traxler explores significant experiments in the study of language and cognition, both failed and successful, as well as the limitations of our understanding of language formation and how language science can help us find new appreciation for our humanity. For a deep dive into...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. David Wills discuss Derrida's Perjury and Pardon, exploring Derrida's historical account of the concept of forgiveness and his own formulation of it. Dr. Wills shares unique insight from his work as a translator of Derrida and also discusses the challenges of translating philosophical works. For a deep dive into Dr. David Will's work, check out his...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Mary-Jane Rubenstein discuss the religious nature of the new space race in which powerful individuals, such as Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, promise that they have the power to save humanity and bring us to new worlds of prosperity, peace, and perfection. Dr. Rubenstein explores the mythologies of our current moment and offers reflection on the dangers...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Hugo Award-winning author Charles Stross discuss the process of blending various literary genres and current events with Lovecraftian horror. Stross reflects the stranger-than-fiction historical events that have inspired his stories, writing for the same characters in various stages of life, and why fiction is an integral part of our lives. For a deep d...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Lauren Bialystok discuss the difficult subject of sex education for minors. Dr. Bialystok walks through the history of sex education in the US and Canada, and raises various controversies, such as how to discuss sexual flourishing in a classroom setting and the relationship between religious communities and public sex education. For a deep dive into...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. James Kastely discuss the nature of persuasion and its relationship to critical aspects of the human experience, such as political engagement, personal development, and love. Dr. Kastely also shares how his exploration of rhetoric and persuasion led him to question 2500 years of interpretation of Plato's seminal text, The Republic.  For a deep dive...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Adam Hochschild discuss the deeply troubling challenges to American democracy that arose in the years between the end of WWI and the conclusion of Woodrow Wilson's presidency. Hochschild also draws parallels between the political unrest of the early twentieth century and today, exploring issues such as government surveillance, xenophobia, and censorship...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Tiger Roholt discuss how smartphones are drawing us away from intimate moments and focal practices that shape our identities and give life meaning. While critical of the effects of our cellular devices, Dr. Roholt also shares how smartphones can be intentionally incorporated into a flourishing life. For a deep dive into Dr. Tiger Roholt's work, chec...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Brent Waters discuss a distinctively Christian approach to bioethical issues through the lens of the Incarnation of Christ. Dr. Waters explores topics such as aging, embryonic cell research, and transhumanism, arguing that the Incarnation reaffirms the good of embodiment and the need for our medical technologies to aid us in love for neighbor. For a...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. John Modern discuss the dynamic relationship between the histories of neuroscience and religion, including brain studies on religious experience and religious groups that include (psueo) scientific neurological rituals. Dr. Modern also explores the push in contemporary science to locate religiosity in the brain while simultaneously developing neurol...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Joseph Keim Campbell discuss the various philosophical models of free will, the concept's origins, and the debates between free will, determinism, and compatibilism. Dr. Campbell also explores the interdisciplinary nature of the study of free will, the relationship between free will and morality, and the Frankfurt cases. For a deep dive into Dr. Jos...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Chris McRae discuss the power of listening to create new realities within ourselves and in the world around us. Dr. McRae also explores the relationship between learning and listening, inviting us to consider how the practices, spaces, and even the flooring of the classroom can have a profound impact on both student and teacher.  For a deep dive int...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Pia Campeggiani discuss emotions and the fascinating insights into the study of our feelings that come from listening to voices in multiple disciplines. They explore discoveries in the field of biology, philosophical contributions from Aristotle, Ludwig Wittgenstein and John Dewey, and the power of fictional characters to profoundly impact our emoti...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Andre Gazal discuss the exegetical work of the Renaissance humanist and theologian John Colet, particularly his reading of 1 Corinthians through the lens of Neoplatonism. Dr. Gazal uses Colet as a springboard into a broader and critical conversation on the relationship between philosophy and the interpretation of religious texts. For a deep dive int...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Cyrus Farivar discuss the increasingly sophisticated surveillance technologies that threaten to undermine our right to privacy. Technologies such as drones, license plate readers, and infrared cameras introduce new ways for local police to circumvent Fourth Amendment protections, while online businesses gain intimate data on users with nearly every clic...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Duane Armitage discuss the implicit violence of Nietzsche's and Heidegger's philosophical work, how Nietzsche and Heidegger view the relationship between power and identity, and how their philosophical systems have led to our current postmodern debates. In looking back at Nietzsche and Heidegger, Dr. Armitage also points out the dangers of tribalism...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Martin Glazier discuss the relationship between explanations, essences, and the nature of facts. Dr. Glazier also explores how his distinction between active and latent facts intersects with the philosophical debate over A-Theory and B-Theory of time. For a deep dive into Dr. Martin Glazier's work, check out his book: Essence (Elements in Metaphysic...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Noël Carroll discuss whether the author's intent matters when evaluating an aesthetic work and, relatedly, whether moral defects in a work of art are an artistic defect. Dr. Carroll also explores the historical contexts of these debates and how these positions have developed in contemporary discussions on the philosophy of art. For a deep dive into...