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Do you need help understanding the great books of philosophy? In his podcasts, Professor Laurence Houlgate reads and discusses the classic works of Plato, Thomas Hobbes, Rene Descartes, John Locke, Immanuel Kant, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, John Stuart Mill, and David Hume. His short readings are based on his acclaimed Smart Student's Guides to Philosophical Classics series (learn more at www.houlgatebooks.com). The episodes begin with the dialogues of Plato and will continue week by week through each chapter of Understanding Plato. For those who want to read along, a digital or print copy of the book can be purchased at Amazon.com at this address: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01I5GAIJIThemes and summary (AI-generated based on podcaster-provided show and episode descriptions):
➤ Philosophy discussions • Socratic dialogues • Plato's Republic • Justice and virtue • Allegories and analogies • Moral and political philosophy • Role of philosophers • Learning and recollectionThis podcast, titled "Understanding Plato," is hosted by Professor Laurence Houlgate and seeks to explore the classic works of several foundational philosophers, with a particular focus on Plato. Each episode involves readings and discussions from philosophical texts, drawing from Houlgate's "Smart Student's Guides to Philosophical Classics" series. The podcast begins with episodes that delve into various dialogues of Plato, aiming to elucidate their complex themes and ideas.
The content consistently revisits the dialogues and ideas of Socrates, a central figure in Plato's works, covering topics such as justice, governance, and the nature of the soul. Discussions include explorations of philosophical concepts such as the Allegory of the Cave, the Theory of Recollection, and the notion that only philosophers should be kings. Each episode often presents Socratic methods and arguments, comparing philosophical ideas with the structures of the city-state, as seen in analogies between the constitution of the soul and the state.
Key themes across episodes include the defense of justice as inherently valuable, the philosophical exploration of virtue and morality, and the criticism of unjust states and souls, particularly the dangers of tyranny. The metaphysical distinction between the material and the transcendental, such as in Plato's theory of forms, is frequently examined. Aside from Plato, the podcast references works of other philosophers, including Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, providing a broader context for understanding the evolution of philosophical thought. Overall, each episode features rigorous philosophical inquiry, themed explorations, and detailed dissection of arguments, offering listeners an opportunity to engage deeply with philosophical ideas and their implications for understanding human nature and society.