Institute for Liberal Studies

The Curious Task

Education EN ↓ 364 episodes

Host Alex Aragona and a rotating cast of guests explore philosophy, politics, economics, and other ideas from a classical liberal perspective.

Author

Institute for Liberal Studies

Episodes

Steve Horwitz — How Has Capitalism Helped Create The Modern Family? 06.11.2019 1:10:18

Alex Aragona speaks with Steve Horwitz as he explores how the evolution of capitalism also shaped the modern family. References 1. “Hayek’s Modern Family: Classical Liberalism and the Evolution of Social Institutions” by Steve Horwitz Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Hayeks-Modern-Family-Liberalism-Institutions/dp/1137448229

Abigail Hall — How Does Foreign Policy Create a Boomerang Effect at Home? 30.10.2019 59:20

Alex Aragona speaks with Abigail Hall as she describes how various elements of United States foreign policy ultimately come back home from abroad and affect domestic life. References 1. “Tyranny Comes Home: The Domestic Fate of U.S. Militarism” by Abigail Hall Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Tyranny-Comes-Home-Domestic-Militarism/dp/1503605272 2. “Ferguson Riot and Ferguson Unrest (2014-2015)” by Bl...

Jason Kuznicki — What Is Government For? 23.10.2019 59:56

Alex Aragona speaks with Jason Kuznicki as he explores some history on how intellectuals viewed the state, and how we should view the state. References from Episode 12 with Jason Kuznicki: You can buy Jason Kuznicki’s book Technology and the End of Authority: What Is Government For? here on Amazon Canada

Sigal Ben-Porath — How Can Speech Be Protected on Campus? 16.10.2019 1:08:37

Alex Aragona speaks with Sigal Ben-Porath as she details her perspective on campus free speech issues. References 1. “Free Speech on Campus” by Sigal Ben-Porath Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Free-Speech-Campus-Sigal-Ben-Porath/dp/0812250079

Chris Freiman — Do People Have the Right to Immigrate? 09.10.2019 55:56

Alex Aragona speaks with Chris Freiman as he shares his thoughts on whether people have the right to immigrate. References 1. Christopher Freiman’s Articles, Bleeding Heart Libertarianism Link: https://bleedingheartlibertarians.com/author/christopher-freiman/ 2. “A Defense of Open Borders” by Christopher Freiman Link: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-93907-0_13 3. “Liberalis...

Jessica Flanigan — Should We Legalize All Drugs? 02.10.2019 58:54

Alex Aragona speaks with Jessica Flanigan as she explores whether all drugs should be legalized. References 1. “Pharmaceutical Freedom: Why Patients Have a Right to Self Medicate” by Jessica Flanigan Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Pharmaceutical-Freedom-Patients-Right-Medicate/dp/0190684542

Andrew Work — Has The Extradition Law Conflict Pushed Hong Kong Toward a More Liberal Environment? 25.09.2019 1:11:42

Alex Aragona speaks with Hongkonger Andrew Work. Relying on his first-hand experience with the Hong Kong extradition law protests, he explores whether recent political tensions have pushed Hong Kong toward a more liberal environment. References 1. Lion Rock Institute Link: https://www.lionrockinstitute.org/en/ 2. “What was Hong Kong’s ‘Occupy’ movement all about? By Reuters Link: https://www.reu...

Eric Mack — Why Not Socialism? 18.09.2019 1:00:02

Alex Aragona asks Eric Mack to explore his views on what socialism is and if it's the answer to the problems proponents say it can solve. References 1. “John Locke” by Eric Mack Link: https://www.amazon.ca/John-Locke-Eric-Mack/dp/0826429815 2. “Libertarianism” by Eric Mack Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Libertarianism-Eric-Mack/dp/1509519297 3. “The Essential John Locke (Essential Scholars)” by...

Paul Robinson — Does Military Intervention Work? 11.09.2019 1:11:00

Alex Aragona chats with Paul Robinson as he offers his thoughts on whether or not military intervention works (and explores what is meant by "works"). References 1. IRRUSIANALITY Link: https://irrussianality.wordpress.com/

Pierre Desrochers & Joanna Szurmak — Is Overpopulation Hurting the Planet? 04.09.2019 1:04:27

Alex Aragona chats with Pierre Desrochers and Joanna Szurmak as they explore whether or not an increasing population necessarily harms the planet. References from Episode 5 with Pierre Desrochers and Joanna Szurmak: You can purchase Pierre Desrochers and Joanna Szurmak’s book Population Bombed!: Exploding the Link Between Overpopulation and Climate Change on Amazon Canada at this link . You can...

James Harrigan — Can We Have Principled Politicians? 28.08.2019 59:12

Alex Aragona asks James Harrigan to explore his thoughts on whether or not we can have principled politicians that represent us. References from Episode 4 with James Harrigan: You can read more about James Madison’s thoughts on the importance of checks and balances, which James Harrigan refers to during the podcast, at this link . You can read The Federalist Papers by Alexander Hamilton, John Ja...

Jacob Levy — Does a Liberal Society Need to be Democratic? 21.08.2019 1:06:37

Alex Aragona and Jacob Levy explore Jacob's belief on whether or not a liberal society requires democratic institutions. References from Episode 3 with Jacob T. Levy: Check out the article Political Libertarianism by Jacob T. Levy  here Buy the book Rationalism, Pluralism, and Freedom by Jacob T. Levy  here

Peter Jaworski — Should Markets Have Limits? 14.08.2019 57:28

Alex Aragona and Peter Jaworski explore Peter's perspective on what the limits of markets should be. The conversation also explores the ethics surrounding paid blood and plasma donations. References from Episode 2 with Peter Jaworski: Buy the book Markets Without Limits here Check out the Donation Ethics website here

Nigel Ashford — What is Classical Liberalism? 29.07.2019 1:01:05

Alex Aragona and Nigel Ashford explore what Nigel considers to be the basic tenets of classical liberalism. References from Episode 1 with Nigel Ashford: More on the Masterpiece Cakeshop case at https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/17pdf/16-111_j4el.pdf Read up on the Doing Business Index rankings at https://www.doingbusiness.org/en/rankingshere Read On Liberty by John Stuart Mill at https://soc...