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Ideas Matter

Ideas Matter

By Louis Devine and Alex B.

A podcast where two mates discuss philosophy, politics and intellectual history, because Ideas Matter.

Ideas Matter is hosted by Louis, a PhD student in political theory, and Alex, a humanities teacher.

Each episode is structured around the work of a great thinker. We aim to explore their ideas in an accessible manner, without dumbing them down.

No topic is off limits: the theology of Saint Augustine, Lenin's revolutionary theory, Marx's critique of capitalism, Platonic discussions on love, or Nietzsche's metaphysical musings.

Follow the show on Instagram @ideasmatterpod
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Currently playing episode

'What is Political Philosophy?' by Leo Strauss

Ideas MatterMar 14, 2023

00:00
29:05
Civilisation and its Discontents by Sigmund Freud

Civilisation and its Discontents by Sigmund Freud

Sex. The Ego. Repression. Sublimation. The Death Drive. That's right, we're reading Freud. Specifically we are reading two essays by Freud, "Civilised Sexuality Morality and Modern Nervous Illness" (1908) and "Civilisation and its Discontents" (1930). These works provide a brief introduction to core Freudian concepts such as repression and sublimation. Join us for a critical reading of one of the twentieth century's most important thinkers.


Follow the show on Instagram @ideasmatterpod

Follow co-host Louis on Twitter/X @louissdevine

Email the show: ideasmatterpod@gmail.com



Aug 26, 202346:56
The Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle

The Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle

Some call him "The First Teacher", others simply refer to him as "The Philosopher" - but you probably know him as Aristotle. If all philosophy is a footnote to Plato, then Aristotle is footnote number one. Join us as we discuss the most influential work of moral philosophy in the whole world, The Nicomachean Ethics.


The mentioned essay by Quentin Skinner is called "Meaning and Understanding in the History of Ideas".


Follow the show on Instagram @ideasmatterpod or reach out via email at ideasmatterpod@gmail.com

Aug 07, 202349:25
The Dao De Jing by Lao Tzu
May 28, 202346:38
Herodotus, Postmodernism and the Philosophy of History, featuring Dan Crowley
Apr 21, 202356:19
'What is Political Philosophy?' by Leo Strauss
Mar 14, 202329:05
What is Political Realism? Philosophy and Real Politics by Raymond Geuss
Mar 06, 202331:04
A Theory of Justice by John Rawls
Feb 28, 202330:46
The Birth of Tragedy by Friedrich Nietzsche (Part Two)
Jan 25, 202349:36
The Birth of Tragedy (Part One) by Friedrich Nietzsche
Jan 23, 202346:15
A Pragmatic Theory of Truth: William James' Lectures on Pragmatism
Jan 14, 202301:27:45
A Philosophical Discussion on Love: Reading Plato's Symposium

A Philosophical Discussion on Love: Reading Plato's Symposium

Plato’s ‘Symposium’ is a Socratic dialogue about love. Situated in the home of the famous Athenian poet Agathon, Symposium presents a series of speeches by prominent Athenians who expound on the nature of love.

We encounter a range of ideas familiar to the modern mind: love creates happiness, encourages us to lead good lives, creates harmony and justice, and is the longing for unity with our better half.

All of these views, however, fail to capture the true essence of love. Love’s essence can only be understood by contemplating love itself, love in general - the Platonic form of love.

Socrates tells his fellow Athenians that love is the desire to have the good forever. Love therefore motivates us to reproduce so that we may approximate immortality. Physical reproduction is obvious: we reach towards immortality by perpetuating the human species. Yet it is mental reproduction that brings us closest to immortality and into favour with the Gods.

When two people pregnant in mind with creative and intellectual potential come together to discuss virtue, they give birth to children whose lives will outstrip their own: great works of philosophy and art. This is Platonic love. A relationship built around mutual appreciation of the beauty found in ideas and virtue. Platonic love grasps at what is truly immortal: the Form of Beauty itself.

If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us and follow the show on Instagram @ideasmatterpod



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit
ideasmatter.substack.com
Dec 24, 202201:19:13
Confessions by Saint Augustine

Confessions by Saint Augustine

Ideas Matter takes a trip back to the fourth century AD to read St Augustine of Hippo, a famed Christian theologian from Thagaste, North Africa. Augustine’s writings have proved tremendously influential not only within Christian theology, but in philosophy and political theory more broadly. His teachings on the nature of human sin - that we sin because it is fun - have informed political realism in domestic and international relations theory.

Augustine shows how deeply Christianity was influenced by Neoplatonic readings of the bible, furthering cementing the claim that all philosophy is a footnote to Plato. Even in the fourth century, educated theologians recognised that the Bible was an allegorical work, whose apparent contradictions are great wellsprings of profundity and meaning.

Even if you do not consider yourself religious, reading Augustine is a humbling experience. Most contemporary criticisms of Christianity are straw-man arguments, or “mental figments” as Augustine would describe them. An informed agnostic or partisan of another spiritual tradition could do much worse than to read Augustine. Indeed, there is much in common between Augustine’s Christianity and Daoism, Hinduism, and other Eastern religions. Perhaps they all point to the same fundamental human need to connect with something greater than ourselves.

Please like and share the podcast if you think others may benefit. As always we reachable via Instagram @ideasmatterpod or via email ideasmatterpod@gmail.com



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit
ideasmatter.substack.com
Nov 19, 202201:34:32
The Social Contract by Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Oct 16, 202201:04:38
Why Morality Makes Us Sick: Nietzsche on the Genealogy of Morals

Why Morality Makes Us Sick: Nietzsche on the Genealogy of Morals

What does it mean to be against morality? Why does Friedrich Nietzsche describe Western morality as a “slave-morality”? Episode 12 of Ideas Matter answers these questions and more, with our deep-dive into Nietzsche’s ‘On the Genealogy of Morality’.

Nietzsche is one of the most popular philosophers today, especially with those who don’t normally read philosophy. His beautiful literary prose brings ideas of great insight to a wider audience than the usual humdrum style of analytic philosophy. Nietzsche knew that life involves great suffering, but he teaches how to find meaning in that suffering, by exercising our will to power.

Modern life is stultifying. Our world has been stripped of glory and meaning - we no longer have higher causes to die for. In this vacuum of meaning, nihilism seems like an attractive response. Nietzsche will have none of it. Nihilism is a weak, life-denying response. We need to be active, purposive creatures. We are meant to move, create, dominate and exercise our power over the world. Reading Nietzsche can be like a shock to the system: a cold shower and a shot of coffee all at once. How many authors, let alone philosophers, can you say that about?

We hope you enjoy today’s episode. Please rate and follow us on whatever podcasting platform you use, or give us a shoutout on social media.

You can find us on Twitter and Instagram @ideasmatterpod.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit
ideasmatter.substack.com
Sep 27, 202201:30:44
Does History Have A Purpose? Immanuel Kant's Political Writings
Aug 27, 202201:09:25
Understanding Revolutionary Marxist Theory: Reading State and Revolution by Vladimir Lenin

Understanding Revolutionary Marxist Theory: Reading State and Revolution by Vladimir Lenin

Aug 12, 202201:00:47
The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli
Jul 06, 202254:04
Does Confucianism Offer Greater Freedom Than Liberalism?
Jun 16, 202241:34
Karl Marx's Critique of Capitalism, Alienated Labour, and 'Humanist Marxism'.
Feb 18, 202201:44:03
Interview with Epoch Philosophy
Nov 07, 202101:23:25
We Are Not Individuals: A Communitarian Critique of Liberalism
Oct 10, 202101:02:25
Justice, Freedom, and Equality: The (False?) Promises of Liberalism
Sep 18, 202101:06:17
Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses by Louis Althusser
Aug 06, 202101:05:47
René Descartes and the Modern Sense of Self
Jul 08, 202101:05:11
The Ethics of Authenticity by Charles Taylor
Jul 02, 202150:39