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Good in Theory is a podcast about political philosophy and how it can help us understand the world today. Want to know what's in Plato's Republic or Hobbes's Leviathan but don't want to read them? This is your pod. I explain my favourite books in political theory in enough detail that you’ll feel like you read them yourself. Deep but not heavy. No experience needed.Themes and summary (AI-generated based on podcaster-provided show and episode descriptions):
➤ political philosophy explained accessibly • Plato’s Republic and Apology, Greek polis, Athens/Sparta democracy • justice, morality, utilitarianism, moral sainthood • liberal democracy critiques • war ethics, drones • class, work domination • markets, tech shaping desire, rhetoricThis podcast uses political philosophy and the history of ideas to interpret contemporary politics and social life. Across the episodes, the host explains major classic texts—especially Plato’s dialogues and Republic—in an accessible, story-driven way, focusing on core questions such as what justice is, what makes a good person, how education shapes citizens, and how different political regimes shape character and desire. Ancient Greek politics features prominently, including Athenian democracy, Sparta, and the broader development of the polis, alongside discussion of rhetoric, civic culture, and the tension between philosophical inquiry and political life.
Alongside close readings of canonical works, the show connects political theory to modern debates about liberal democracy, free speech, meritocracy, and ideology. It also explores late–20th-century and contemporary political thought in international relations and political science, including arguments about the “end of history” and “clash of civilizations,” and examines how these frameworks influence public discourse.
Interviews with academics and authors broaden the scope into applied political philosophy: the ethics and politics of “humane” war and technologies like drones; the power dynamics of workplaces and worker freedom; class formation among professional elites; and the ways consumer platforms and data-driven technologies can shape preferences and intimacy. Recurring “thought lab” discussions use provocative thought experiments to probe moral psychology, utilitarian reasoning, moral luck, and how people judge harmless-yet-taboo actions. Occasional specials add reflective or cultural angles (romance, movies, folklore) while keeping the emphasis on how ideas structure political and moral experience.
| Episodes: |
46 - Athenian democracy and Plato w/ Graham Culbertson (Everyday Anarchism Podcast)2023-May-11 64 minutes |
45 - Humane War feat. Samuel Moyn2022-Sep-05 65 minutes |
44 - Samuel Huntington "The Clash of Civilizations?"2022-Aug-17 36 minutes |
43 - Tyranny at Work feat. Elizabeth Anderson2022-Jun-06 54 minutes |
42 - The New Aristocracy feat. Matthew Stewart2022-May-02 54 minutes |
41 - Love in the Time of Big Data feat. Alfie Bown2022-Apr-18 58 minutes |
40 - Is Liberal Democracy the Best We Can Do? feat. The Morality of Everyday Things2022-Feb-08 74 minutes |
39 - The Glorious History and Ugly Present of Rhetoric feat. Rob Goodman2022-Jan-24 73 minutes |
38 - GiT Holiday Special with Sep2021-Dec-26 39 minutes |
37 - Thought Lab 4: The Psychology of Horror2021-Oct-28 36 minutes |
36 - Moral Saints 2: Why Be a Saint?2021-Oct-12 33 minutes |
35 - Susan Wolf, “Moral Saints”2021-Sep-28 26 minutes |
34 - The Esoteric Plato feat. Earl Fontainelle2021-Sep-13 88 minutes |
33 - The End of the End of History feat. Philip Cunliffe and George Hoare2021-Aug-30 65 minutes |
32 - Fukuyama’s “The End of History?”2021-Aug-17 27 minutes |
31 - Thought Lab 3: Utilitarianism & the Great Spreadsheet2021-Aug-02 47 minutes |
30 - Plato's Republic 13: Choose Yourself2021-Jul-19 33 minutes |
29 - Plato's Republic 12: Poetic Sweet Tooth2021-Jul-05 45 minutes |
28 - Plato's Republic 11: A Tyrant's Life2021-Jun-19 36 minutes |
27 - Plato's Republic 10: Degenerate Cities, Degenerate Souls2021-Jun-07 49 minutes |
26 - Plato's Republic 9: Horny for the Good2021-May-14 55 minutes |
25 - Thought Lab 2: Tainted Art and Moral Luck2021-Apr-19 54 minutes |
24 - Plato's Republic 8: The Philosopher Kings2021-Mar-29 43 minutes |
23 - Plato’s Republic 7: Socratic Family Values2021-Mar-16 33 minutes |
22 - Thought Lab 1: The Dead Chicken Experiment2021-Mar-01 44 minutes |
21 - GiT Valentine's Day Special: Rousseau and Romance Past2021-Feb-15 62 minutes |
20 - Do Free Markets Make Free Humans? Interview with Jeffrey Bercuson2021-Jan-18 76 minutes |
19 - Granny Gore to Girl Power: Naomi Hamer on the History of Fairy Tales2021-Jan-04 61 minutes |
18 - GiT Xmas movie special with Sep2020-Dec-21 49 minutes |
17 - Plato's Republic 6: How to be a Good Person2020-Dec-07 45 minutes |
16 - Plato's Republic 5: Lies, Noble Lies and Gymnastics2020-Nov-16 43 minutes |
15 - Interview: politics v. philosophy with Agnes Callard2020-Nov-02 42 minutes |
14 - Plato's Republic 4: Myths 4 KidZ2020-Oct-19 37 minutes |
13 - Plato’s Republic 3: City of Pigs, Army of Dogs2020-Oct-05 41 minutes |
12 - Interview: Paul Sagar, what's your problem with Plato?2020-Sep-21 19 minutes |
11 - Plato's Republic 2: Good to be Bad2020-Sep-21 34 minutes |
10 - Plato's Republic 1: Justice for Beginners2020-Sep-07 34 minutes |
9 - Athens: Ahoy Polloi!2020-Aug-11 53 minutes |
8 - Sparta: Killer Beehive2020-Jul-21 45 minutes |
7 - Interview: Rebecca Goldstein2020-Jul-13 62 minutes |
6 - The Polis: Freedom Farms, Phalanxes and Class War2020-Jul-06 32 minutes |
5 - Plato’s Apology 5: The Apology of Athens2020-Jun-22 37 minutes |
4 - Plato's Apology 4: Your Brain On Politics2020-Jun-08 51 minutes |
3 - Plato's Apology 3: Not-So-Dangerous Minds2020-May-25 33 minutes |
2 - Plato’s Apology 2: Free Speech Hero?2020-May-11 39 minutes |
1 - Plato's Apology 1: The Divine Troll2020-May-11 41 minutes |
Trailer2020-May-04 1 minute |