IdeaLogical

He is perhaps the most famous man of the Enlightenment. A true genius and a man of letters. The wit, the charm, the sarcasm, and the irreverence of Voltaire is intoxicating. Who is this figure and why is he important for how we think of the world today? Find out as we examine his influence, life, and works. Follow Zach : ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Website⁠ 0:00 Voltaire's Influence and Leg...

In this episode, we interview Dr. Tyler McNabb, an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Saint Francis University. He is an author, speaker, and academic who specializes in philosophy of religion and religious epistemology. Tyler explains why he thinks belief in God is justified and goes over some problems with atheism. Regardless of your worldview, you will find this episode helpful and enlighteni...

The two most influential political parties in the U.S. have an interesting history and varying viewpoints. In this episode, we explore a brief history of these dominant political parties and look at 25 differences between the positions they hold. As you’ll see, the main difference between the parties has more to do with a worldview and philosophy than it does public policy. Follow Zach : ⁠Instagra...

In this episode, we interview Benjamin Watkins - an author, speaker, podcaster, and host  @RealAtheology  . Ben walks us through his transition to atheism, gives some arguments in support of atheism, and exposes some philosophical problems with theistic systems. Regardless of your worldview, you will find this episode helpful and enlightening. Follow Zach : Instagram | X | Website Follow Benjamin...

Plato and Aristotle are, hands down, the most influential philosophers of all time. In this lecture we take a look at the life and teachings of Aristotle. Aristotle wrote on everything from metaphysics to biology to ethics to politics. What did he believe and why was his influence so overwhelmingly massive? Follow Zach : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Instagram,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠...

Do you really get a cold by being cold? How long do you have to wait after eating before you can swim? Will you ever wake up during surgery? How does cancer spread? In this episode, we interview a physician to compare medical myths with medical reality. Follow Zach : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website ⁠⁠ (00:00) Debunking Medical Myths with Dr. Danie...

Are actions inherently good or bad or do their consequences make them so? Does morality even exist or do things just happen? What makes something good or bad (and how can we know it if people have different religions and worldviews)? In this episode we examine different ethical systems and look at the pros and cons of each. Follow Zach : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Today we have smartphones, airplanes, robotic surgery, and electric lights. But what was it like to live during the Middle Ages? Was it really the “Dark Ages” or was there intellectual flourishing? What did you eat? When did you bathe? In this episode, we look at what the average person’s life would have been like in medieval Europe. Follow Zach : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Philosophy is the “love of wisdom” but what exactly does this mean? Philosophy is probably the broadest and most fundamental area of inquiry. In this episode we explain what philosophy is, what makes it unlike other subjects, and why it is so important. We also recommend some helpful books to begin your philosophical journey. Follow Zach : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Websi...

A large voting block in the U.S. identifies as being religious (with the largest subset being Christian). In this episode, we interview a pastor to get his thoughts on what influence religion should have in the public sphere (if any). We discuss everything from the shift in the platforms of the two major parties, to the contentious election of Donald Trump, to so-called “Christian Nationalism,” to...

The liberty to do, think, and say what we want is the cornerstone of most modern republics.. But what exactly do we mean by “do, think, and say what we want?” Where do our liberties end and another’s begin? Where can the government step in and limit our freedoms (if anywhere)? John Stuart Mill’s famous work, “On Liberty” gives us a helpful glimpse into this important question. Follow Zach : ⁠⁠⁠⁠In...

Zach Schultz is a Green Beret who has also completed Ranger School. In this episode we learn about the ins and outs of special operations including some about training and how the units operate.  Follow Zach : ⁠⁠⁠Instagram,⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Website⁠

Up to 40% of Americans have some level of anxiety when flying on an airplane. In this episode, we interview a former Air Force and current commercial airline pilot to learn about how incredibly safe flying really is.. What happens if the engines cut out? What happens if you get struck by lightning? John helps pilot us through these fascinating questions. Follow Zach : ⁠⁠Instagram,⁠⁠ ⁠⁠X,⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠...

The phrase, “critical theory,” has become popular in our culture (along with “critical race theory” and “neo-Marxism”). What is critical theory? Where is it affecting our culture, politics, and society? In this lecture we learn about this social and philosophical movement and see how it has impacted so much of our lives today. Follow Zach : https://www.instagram.com/zachlee_isppc/ https://twitter....

What is evolution and evolutionary theory? What are some evidences for human evolution? How old is the universe, the Earth, and living organisms and how do we know? In this episode, we interview all around Renaissance-man and scientist, Randy Smith. We look at answers to these questions from several different angles while learning more about evolutionary biology. Follow Zach : ⁠Instagram,⁠ ⁠X, and...

In this episode, we interview a retired Navy SEAL, Randy Rozzell, to chat about mental toughness. How can we grow in mental toughness and what makes some guys quit SEAL training while other guys make it through? Follow Randy : Instagram  and YouTube Follow Zach : Instagram,   X , and  Website

We're joined by Dr. Wilfred Reilly, associate professor of political science at Kentucky State University, to explore contentious historical narratives and contemporary issues. Dr. Reilly addresses misconceptions about American slavery, Native American history, and colonialism. The conversation covers topics like the sexual revolution, feminism, and the complexities of modern victimhood and oppres...

Explore the fascinating life and enduring influence of Martin Luther, the German monk who ignited the Protestant Reformation. I look into Luther's theological breakthroughs, his clash with the Roman Catholic Church, and the unintended ripple effects that fueled the Enlightenment and fostered religious tolerance. Discover Luther's complex personality, his crass humor, and the controversies surround...

Jean-Jacques Rousseau is one of the most influential figures in intellectual history. However, he is the ideological forerunner to postmodernism, existentialism, communism, romanticism, and the beheadings of the French Revolution. What did this anti-enlightenment thinker teach and how has it affected our culture? https://isppc.org/

Retired Navy SEAL Randy Rozzell joins Zach to discuss the realities of hand-to-hand combat and gunfighting. Randy, a martial arts expert and former program manager for Naval Special Warfare Combatives, shares his journey from Navy corpsman to SEAL, offering insights into combat readiness, effective martial arts training, and the importance of reality-based techniques. They explore differences betw...

Postmodernism is a philosophical and cultural movement that came to prominence in France in the 1960s. It is one of the most powerful influences on our culture, politics, and educational institutions. It is also why it feels like our society has changed so quickly. But what exactly is postmodernism and what do postmodernists believe? How may you have been influenced by this movement without even k...

Stoicism is an ancient Greek philosophical movement that emphasized controlling one's thoughts and emotions through reason, pursuing ethical virtues, and finding happiness through internal virtue rather than external circumstances. This episode explains key Stoic beliefs, including determinism, the importance of duty, and the goal of achieving mental tranquility. It concludes by posing thought-pro...

Jeremy Dys is an attorney who specializes in constitutional law and cases related to the First Amendment. In this episode, we interview him to ask what exactly the First Amendment means regarding the freedoms of speech and religion. We also ask for helpful clarifiers related to this sticky political topic. *First Liberty Institute* - http://firstliberty.org https://isppc.org/

This racy, adult-only episode discusses the history of sex and its cultural impacts throughout different time periods. It covers topics such as ancient beliefs about reproduction, historical views on various sexual practices, and attitudes towards contraception across different societies. It also touches on how influential figures and religious institutions have shaped societal perspectives on sex...

Ready to challenge your thinking and dive deep into the ideas shaping our world? Hosted by Zach Lee from the Institute for the Study of Philosophy, Politics, and Culture in Dallas, Texas, Idealogical is more than just a clever play on words. It’s a thought-provoking journey into the philosophies, worldviews, and cultural currents that influence how we see, think, and live. Zach blends sharp philos...