Excursions into Libertarian Thought

George H. Smith explains Jean Meslier’s three major objections to Christian morality, as taught by Jesus. Originally published in essay form on August 14, 2015. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

George H. Smith explains the role of the Catholic Church in the French government, and how Jean Meslier reconciled his atheism with his role as a priest. Originally published in essay form on August 7, 2015. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

George H. Smith explains some of the libertarian ideas of Jean Meslier, the notorious atheist-priest. Originally published in essay form on July 31, 2015. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

George H. Smith criticizes some features of Benedict Spinoza’s political theory, especially his theory of rights. Originally published in essay form on July 24, 2015. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

George H. Smith explains the fundamentals of Benedict Spinoza’s theory of rights and government. Originally published in essay form on July 17, 2015. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

George H. Smith continues his discussion of Benedict Spinoza by explaining how he defended freedom of religion and speech. Originally published in essay form on July 10, 2015. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

George H. Smith explains why Benedict Spinoza’s  Theologico-Political Treatise  became one of the most scandalous books ever published. Originally published in essay form on May 29, 2015. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

George H. Smith discusses Benedict Spinoza’s controversial ideas about God, religion, and his criticism of the Design Argument. Originally published in essay form on May 22, 2015. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

George H. Smith explains Francis Bacon’s defense of certainty and his contributions to a secular worldview. Originally published in essay form on May 15, 2015. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pyrrhonic skepticism had a tremendous influence on religious debates in post-Reformation Europe. Originally published in essay form on May 1, 2015. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

George H. Smith explains the political implications of the deistic repudiation of special revelation and miracles. Originally published in essay form on April 24, 2015. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

George H. Smith explains the controversial arguments of the deist John Toland, as defended in  Christianity not Mysterious . Originally published in essay form on April 17, 2015. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

George H. Smith explains why Edward Gibbon rejected miraculous accounts in his masterpiece,  The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire . Originally published in essay form on April 10, 2015. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

George H. Smith explains the basic tenets of deism and why it posed a political threat. Originally published in essay form on March 27, 2015. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

George H. Smith explains the origins of deism and its basic ideas. Originally published in essay form on March 20, 2015. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

George H. Smith explains some tactics that early freethinkers used in the attempt to avoid punishment for blasphemy and other religious crimes. Originally published in essay form on March 13, 2015. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

George H. Smith explores Shaftesbury’s defense of ridicule and satire in matters of religion. Originally published in essay form on March 6, 2015. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

George H. Smith explains how some leading Christian theologians justified the death penalty for heretics and blasphemers. Originally published in essay form on February 27, 2015. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

George H. Smith explains the similarities between medieval heresy and our modern notion of treason against the state. Originally published in essay form on February 20, 2015. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Augustine argued that religious persecution was justified when done in the interest of the salvation of those persecuted. Originally published in essay form on February 13, 2015. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

George H. Smith begins his series on the historical relationship between religious skepticism and libertarianism. Originally published in essay form on January 30, 2015. Narrated by Daniel Hyland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

George H. Smith discusses what Bernard Mandeville meant in saying that private vices produce public benefits, and how Francis Hutcheson criticized that theory. Originally published in essay form on January 23, 2015. Narrated by Daniel Hyland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

George H. Smith discusses Bernard Mandeville’s defense of legal prostitution and other vices. Originally published in essay form on January 16, 2015. Narrated by Daniel Hyland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

George H. Smith explains why Mandeville’s ideas about vice made him one of the most notorious writers of his time. Originally published in essay form on January 9, 2015. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Originally published in essay form on December 19, 2014. Narrated by Daniel Hyland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.