Back in November 2024, Ante presented a paper at the Society of Adventist Philosophers titled The Anthropotechnics of Freedom: Training in Objectivity and the Ethics of Epistemic Authenticity. In this episode, Oliver and Ante take up that topic to explore the meaning and possibility of objectivity—so often a term of derision. They ask: Why does truth matter? Can we ever attain objective knowledge? What is the "view from nowhere"? What does it mean to see objectivity as a moral imperative? And how does this ethical reframing of an epistemological category shape human intersubjectivity? Ultimately, they consider a deeper question: What does it mean to die to oneself in the pursuit of truth?
 

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In this podcast, we engage in free-ranging conversations on life, faith, philosophy, ethics, relationships, culture, experience, and all matters existential. As the show title points out, we approach these things "in the middle of things" by grabbing hold of them unsystematically and provisionally. Concerning "about us," we are friends and verbal sparring partners who also happen to be colleagues at Andrews University. - Oliver Glanz and Ante Jerončič 

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In this episode, Oliver and Ante delve into the enduring legacy of Homer's Odyssey. They explore its profound impact over the centuries, discussing why this epic poem remains so significant today. The conversation covers a breadth of existential themes presented in the Odyssey, such as destiny, homecoming, virtue, identity, and the human condition. Additionally, they examine the benefits of studying the Bible alongside classical works like the Odyssey, highlighting both the resonances and distinctions between these two cornerstone texts of Western culture. 

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In this podcast, we engage in free-ranging conversations on life, faith, philosophy, ethics, relationships, culture, experience, and all matters existential. As the show title points out, we approach these things "in the middle of things" by grabbing hold of them unsystematically and provisionally. Concerning "about us," we are friends and verbal sparring partners who also happen to be colleagues at Andrews University. - Oliver Glanz and Ante Jerončič 

Send us your comments. We appreciate those!

This time around, Ante and Oliver have a free-ranging conversation on a number of issues. After a brief life debrief and some discussion of AI tools, they delve into a US presidential election post-mortem, questions of objectification in relation to human subjectivity, how objectification leads to alienation and conflict, how the deepening of relationships with people who are different from us requires moving beyond such tendencies, and how working and playing together might connect us some deeper way of living than focusing on issues that cause friction.

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In this podcast, we engage in free-ranging conversations on life, faith, philosophy, ethics, relationships, culture, experience, and all matters existential. As the show title points out, we approach these things "in the middle of things" by grabbing hold of them unsystematically and provisionally. Concerning "about us," we are friends and verbal sparring partners who also happen to be colleagues at Andrews University. - Oliver Glanz and Ante Jerončič 

Send us your comments. We appreciate those!

After a longish break, Oliver and Ante are back recording new IMR episodes. In this one, they tackle different aspects of understanding, ranging from problematic self-perceptions, to evaluations and surveys, to the problem of objectification, and much more.

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In this podcast, we engage in free-ranging conversations on life, faith, philosophy, ethics, relationships, culture, experience, and all matters existential. As the show title points out, we approach these things "in the middle of things" by grabbing hold of them unsystematically and provisionally. Concerning "about us," we are friends and verbal sparring partners who also happen to be colleagues at Andrews University. - Oliver Glanz and Ante Jerončič 

Send us your comments. We appreciate those!

In recent years, "manifesting" has gained significant traction in pop culture and social media. It is the idea of willing the universe to bring into being our desires, in the sense of already possessing them in the act of wishing. As this rides on many interesting ideas and has a lot to say about our current cultural moment, Oliver and Ante have decided to discuss the issue to wrap their minds around it somewhat. What is this phenomenon about? Why is it so popular at this time? Should we understand it psychologically or sociologically? Does it contain some kernel of truth? What are its darker aspects? How is it related to anxiety and narcissism? What are some of its religious permutations, and what has the Bible to say about it?...

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In this podcast, we engage in free-ranging conversations on life, faith, philosophy, ethics, relationships, culture, experience, and all matters existential. As the show title points out, we approach these things "in the middle of things" by grabbing hold of them unsystematically and provisionally. Concerning "about us," we are friends and verbal sparring partners who also happen to be colleagues at Andrews University. - Oliver Glanz and Ante Jerončič 

Send us your comments. We appreciate those!

In recent weeks, all across the country, students have received countless awards, recognitions, and trophies. That state of affairs prompted Ante and Oliver to examine the participation trophy phenomenon to probe the underlying forces that fuel it. For instance, what does it say about how we view parenting, psychological development, personal well-being, growth and resiliency, self-esteem, and motivation? To what extent is all that connected to shame and anxiety? What sociological and economic forces lurk in the background here? While, as usual, by their recognition, they bite more on what they can chew, they manage to crystallize some critical areas of concern beyond parenting and educational issues.

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In this podcast, we engage in free-ranging conversations on life, faith, philosophy, ethics, relationships, culture, experience, and all matters existential. As the show title points out, we approach these things "in the middle of things" by grabbing hold of them unsystematically and provisionally. Concerning "about us," we are friends and verbal sparring partners who also happen to be colleagues at Andrews University. - Oliver Glanz and Ante Jerončič 

Send us your comments. We appreciate those!

Continuing in the spirit of Kant's 300th anniversary, Oliver and Ante are taking another crack at this monumental thinker. This time, they focus more specifically on his moral thought, running with the contention, partially tongue in cheek, that a consistent application of his principles of morality might lead to a revival in Christian communities. Among others, they discuss Derek Parfit's reformulation of  Kant's formula: "It is wrong to treat anyone in any way to which this person could not rationally consent." Whether that is indeed the supreme principle of morality is debatable. Still, one can imagine all kinds of life circumstances where following such a thought experiment would lead one to act in drastically different ways. They also tackle Kant's universalism, Omri Boehm's acclaimed book Radikaler Univesalismus, Kant's stress on individuality, his decontextualizing of Christian morality, and other topics.

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In this podcast, we engage in free-ranging conversations on life, faith, philosophy, ethics, relationships, culture, experience, and all matters existential. As the show title points out, we approach these things "in the middle of things" by grabbing hold of them unsystematically and provisionally. Concerning "about us," we are friends and verbal sparring partners who also happen to be colleagues at Andrews University. - Oliver Glanz and Ante Jerončič 

Send us your comments. We appreciate those!

In light of the 300th anniversary of Immanuel Kant's birth, Ante and Oliver discuss his status as one of the most influential thinkers of the modern era. It is hard to fully capture all the ways in which he has influenced our culture. In a way, we are all Kantians to some degree, whether we know it or not. To that end, they explore his background, the context in which he worked, some troublesome aspects of his legacy, his groundbreaking essay "What is Enlightenment?", his stress on freedom and the importance of thinking for oneself, his take on religion, all peppered with some autobiographical asides.

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In this podcast, we engage in free-ranging conversations on life, faith, philosophy, ethics, relationships, culture, experience, and all matters existential. As the show title points out, we approach these things "in the middle of things" by grabbing hold of them unsystematically and provisionally. Concerning "about us," we are friends and verbal sparring partners who also happen to be colleagues at Andrews University. - Oliver Glanz and Ante Jerončič 

Send us your comments. We appreciate those!

In this fascinating episode, Oliver and Ante discuss the importance of Eugen Drewermann, a leading  20th-century theologian, particularly his integration of exegesis and depth psychology. Using his ideas as a springboard, they explore insights that a psycho-existential reading of Exodus might bring to understanding various life experiences and key turning points. 

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* * * * * NEW TO THE PODCAST?
In this podcast, we engage in free-ranging conversations on life, faith, philosophy, ethics, relationships, culture, experience, and all matters existential. As the show title points out, we approach these things "in the middle of things" by grabbing hold of them unsystematically and provisionally. Concerning "about us," we are friends and verbal sparring partners who also happen to be colleagues at Andrews University. - Oliver Glanz and Ante Jerončič 

Send us your comments. We appreciate those!

As mentioned in their previous episode, Oliver and Ante continue discussing the topic of trauma rooted in personal experience. They examine the rise of trauma literature, how it has impacted biblical studies and theology, and the new insights it has brought to the table. While such reflections are not new--people have forever struggled with suffering, loss, grief, tragedy, and meaning--trauma discourse, with its strong connection to embodied experience, undoubtedly offers an enriched perspective on these aspects of human existence.

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* * * * * NEW TO THE PODCAST?
In this podcast, we engage in free-ranging conversations on life, faith, philosophy, ethics, relationships, culture, experience, and all matters existential. As the show title points out, we approach these things "in the middle of things" by grabbing hold of them unsystematically and provisionally. Concerning "about us," we are friends and verbal sparring partners who also happen to be colleagues at Andrews University. - Oliver Glanz and Ante Jerončič 

Send us your comments. We appreciate those!