Joseph Russ

Dungeons & Dialectics

Leisure EN ↓ 81 episodes

The synthesis of tabletop roleplaying games, philosophy and theology! RPGs are full of opportunities to make choices, face ethical dilemmas, and use the fantasy world as a proxy for considering our own reality. They're basically trolley problems on steroids! Join Joe and Matt as we reflect on what RPGs can teach us about philosophy, theology, and political theory, and what these fields can teach us about RPGs. How can RPGs help us understand the world? How can these reflections help us become better players and Dungeon Masters? Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/dnd_philosophy

Author

Joseph Russ

Episodes

Ep. 6: Freedom, Choices, and Quantum Ogres 23.11.2021 39:56

How much work goes into creating a world that feels real? Can that work be substituted by the illusion of free will? How many alternate options do the Players need to engage with the world? Is your Dungeon Master LYING TO YOU? Probably. If you're looking for the answers to these questions (and more!), check out the sources. But if you're content to listen to Matt and Joe swap stories and ramble on...

Ep. 5: Trolley Problems in RPGs (part 2) (or... OH SH*T! This is supposed to be a podcast about gaming... quick throw in a tie-in to Dungeons & Dragons before our 5 listeners abandon us!) 28.09.2021 24:52

Wow! If you've been listening for the past two weeks, you're probably wondering when the f*ck we're going to start talking about RPGs again. I mean, what is this? Where are the dungeons? Where are the dragons? Where are the stories from games we've played? Well Matt's been thinking the same thing, so get ready to apply our thoughts on Trolley Problems and ethical dilemmas to the game! Sources: Thi...

Ep. 4: Splat! Splat! Splat! Went the Trolley (part 1) 21.09.2021 30:23

Spock: "Logic clearly dictates that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few." Kirk: "Or the one." - The Wrath of Khan , 1982 OR DOES IT? Is Spock right, or is he just full of sh*t? Maybe he needs to read more Kant... Just kidding. No one needs to read Kant. Because WE read it for you! Listen as Matt and Joe tackle one of ethics' most famous and memeable thought experiments, the Trolley...

Ep. 3: Slapping Jesus 14.09.2021 24:34

When Matt's friend Faraz decides to play Jesus Christ in their next campaign, he calls on Joe to examine Faraz's pacifist savior. In the real world, violent crusades and genocide in the name of God seem to violate Jesus's peaceful teachings... But what do Jesus and the Church say about violence? How do we resist violence? When is violence allowed? Is it EVER allowed? Does it matter who commits the...

Ep. 2: Confucius... a gamer? (extended) 18.08.2021 59:42

Confucius... a gamer? Find out on this EXTENDED episode of Dungeons & Dialectics (now with gooderer audio and 15 minutes of bonus content!), as we delve into the history of Dungeons & Dragons. From ancient dice to pre-modern chess variants, trace the journey of gaming culminating in a couple of nerds and a dream. You'll get some quality information mixed in with all the foolish tangents yo...

Ep. 2: A History of Dungeons & Dragons 14.08.2021 44:58

Confucius... a gamer? Find out on this episode of Dungeons & Dialectics (now with gooderer audio!), as we delve into the history of Dungeons & Dragons. From ancient dice to pre-modern chess variants, trace the journey of gaming culminating in a couple of nerds and a dream. You'll get some quality information mixed in with all the foolish tangents you've come to know and love. A recipe for...