The Gutenberg Podcast

Charley Dewberry discusses the long 19th Century--from the end of Napoleon to the end of World War I--and the changes and costs of modernism.

Chris Swanson sits down to discuss Auguste Comte, Positivism, and the optimistic political thought of the 19th century.

Nancy Scott makes her debut on the podcast, discussing Soren Kierkegaard's authorship, elucidation of Jesus, and opposition to the comforts of Christendom.

Chris Swanson lays out the consequences of the French Revolution, the rise and fall of Napoleon, and the death of Feudalism.

Brian Julian joins the podcast to talk about Rousseau's Social Contract , the "General Will", and why sometimes the questions authors are asking are more helpful than their answers.

Eliot Grasso stops by to broadly survey the history from the Middle Ages to the French Revolution, all while discussing how institutional failure leads to people looking for alternatives.

Brian Julian discusses Kant's major contribution to epistemology, where that has lead to in contemporary philosophy, and how we should think about Kant's insights as Christians.

Chris Swanson returns to discuss Thomas Reid, Reid's critique of the "Ideal System", and how Common Sense relates to philosophy.

Naomi Rinehold offers an unconventional way to think about David Hume's Inquiry Concerning Human Understanding, along with how to think about the difference between an author's meaning and an author's significance.

Charley Dewberry discusses the projects of Locke and Berkeley in preparation for upcoming episodes about David Hume and Thomas Reid.

Chris Swanson lays out Descartes's project, what Descartes was responding to, and how Descartes has influenced Western Civilization.

Eliot Grasso sits down to talk about Francis Bacon and his most famous work, Novum Organum, and whether Bacon should be remembered as either a villain or a good scientist.

Charley Dewberry lays out why the Science Curriculum--focused on the Copernican Revolution--is central to the Gutenberg project.

Naomi Rinehold returns to discuss what Boccaccio's Decameron contributed to the Renaissance and the value of such comedic works during times of crisis.

Charley Dewberry explains how Genghis Khan and the Mongols formed the first economic--instead of political--empire, and how this has affected Western Civilization.

Brian Julian walks us through Anselm's ontological proof of God's existence, some critiques of that proof, and whether proof is even necessary for faith.

Eliot Grasso helps digest some key features of Western Medieval Civilization, and its need to harmonize church infrastructure, Greek philosophy, and the teaching of the Bible.

Chris Swanson discusses Rome's transition from Republic to Empire, what factors contributed to that transition, and how that might be important for understanding our own place in history.

Eliot Grasso returns to talk about Polybius, a Greek historian who wrote about why the Roman republic was politically stable despite the tendency of governments to disintegrate.

Naomi is back to talk about stoicism, epicureanism, cynicism, and skepticism. This is a good one folks!

Charley Dewberry joins Gil to talk about therapeutic philosopher Lucretius, atomism, and the scientific method.

Naomi Rinehold returns to talk about Aristotle's notion of friendship and what it can teach us about our relationships today.

Brian Julian asks the question, "What was Socrates really up to?"

Cidney Swanson explains the origins of theater and its significance in ancient Greek Culture.

Tutor Eliot Grasso discusses the relationship between host and guest in ancient Greek culture.