Two Guys Searching For Truth On The Road That Never Ends...

Two Guys Searching For Truth On The Road That Never Ends...

By Crito and GlauconSociety & CulturePhilosophy
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Two Guys Searching For Truth On The Road That Never Ends... episodes

  • Voltaire, Candide, and Critiques of Leibniz's Best of All Possible Worlds

    In so far as the mind sees things in their eternal aspect, it participates in eternity. - Baruch Spinoza

    In this episode we speak about Voltaire and specifically his satirical literary work "Candide," as a response to our previous episode on Leibniz. We start off with an overview of Candide, and from there we discuss themes of the work, its applicability in other areas we have discussed on the podcast, and also how Leibniz might respond to this critique. We also discuss some of the critiques of Candide, and whether or not those critiques hold up. Voltaire is an important figure, both in literature and philosophy, and he provides an interesting point of view and insight into the culture he lived in by the way he critiques Leibniz.

    Always feel free to let us know what you think, or any episode requests. We would love to hear from you! Thank you for listening and we'll see you next time as we search for truth on the road that never ends!

    34 min
  • Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz: His Life, Works, and The Best of All Possible Worlds

    This is the best of all possible worlds. - Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz

    In this episode, we introduce Leibniz. We begin speaking of his many achievements and contributions to the world, and also give some background to the other rationalists with whom he was a part of. We consider his principles, theory of monads, and how his faith was instrumental in both his rational thought and his thoughts of metaphysics. We briefly discuss free will and his thoughts on God's role in the world. In the next episode we will consider Voltaire and his view on Leibniz's thoughts, as well as discuss critiques of Leibniz by Plantinga, Bertrand Russell, and Kant.

    Always feel free to let us know what you think, or any episode requests. We would love to hear from you! Thank you for listening and we'll see you next time as we search for truth on the road that never ends!

    33 min
  • Objections to St. Anselm and Plantinga's Ontological Argument from Gaunilo, Immanuel Kant, and Thomas Aquinas
    ...no testimony is sufficient to establish a miracle, unless the testimony be of such a kind, that its falsehood would be more miraculous, than the fact which it endeavors to establish. David Hume
    In this episode, we consider objections and critiques to the ontological argument, as set out by St. Anselm/Plantinga. We specifically look at Gaunilo's response, as well as critiques by Kant and Aquinas. In response to St. Anselm, there have been many interesting points made over the years, and the topic also highlights the rationalist vs. empiricist debate in the renaissance. In the next episode, we will look at Gottfried Leibniz and his contribution to science, philosophy, and mathematics.
    Always feel free to let us know what you think, or any episode requests. We would love to hear from you!
    Thank you for listening and we'll see you next time as we search for truth on the road that never ends!
    29 min
  • St. Anselm and Plantinga: The Ontological Argument for the Existence of God
    Every man is a creature of the age in which he lives and few are able to raise themselves above the ideas of the time - Voltaire
    In this episode, we look at St. Anselm's ontological argument for the existence of God put forth in 1077. The version we examine is Alvin Plantinga's because it is better structured for discussion. It seeks to prove the existence of God through deductive argument using a reductio ad absurdum form of argument. This argument can also be seen as an extension of our discussion of Descartes, and his efforts to prove the existence of God through deductive argument, as well as Plato's view of the good. In the next episode, we will examine some critiques of this argument.
    Always feel free to let us know what you think, or any episode requests. We would love to hear from you!
    Thank you for listening and we'll see you next time as we search for truth on the road that never ends!
    28 min
  • Descartes's Fourth Meditation: Truth, Falsity, and Dualism
    Be a philosopher, but amidst all your philosophy, be still, a man - David Hume
    In this fourth episode of our Descartes series, we closely examine the ideas of truth and falsity, as proposed by Descartes. We also consider the compelling notion of Dualism he sets forth. We start to see the formation of the rationalist and empiricists positions clearly, as well as the split between idealism and materialism. We see how Descartes uses the idea of dualism to put forth his ideas for Christianity and the independence of the soul, as his mind is a res cogitans, or a thinking thing.
    Always feel free to let us know what you think, or any episode requests. We would love to hear from you!
    Thank you for listening and we'll see you next time as we search for truth on the road that never ends!
    35 min
  • Descartes's Third Meditation: Cosmological Proof of the Existence of God
    Happiness is not the reward of virtue, but is virtue itself; nor do we delight in happiness because we restrain from our lusts; but on the contrary, because we delight in it, therefore we are able to restrain them - Baruch Spinoza
    In this third episode of our Descartes series, we take a close look at his third meditation, and in this Meditation Descartes presents his cosmological, rational existence of God. This argument is of particular importance to Descartes and to his Meditations as he is presenting the answer to the previous two Meditations that caused so much doubt. Descartes argues that something cannot arise from nothing and that something less real cannot give rise to something more real.
    We also briefly touch on ontological arguments for the existence of God, which will be an upcoming episode, as Descartes's argument is a form of an ontological argument.
    Always feel free to let us know what you think, or any episode requests. We would love to hear from you!
    Thank you for listening and we'll see you next time as we search for truth on the road that never ends!
    31 min
  • Descartes's Second Meditation: Concerning the Nature of the Human Mind
    In practical life we are compelled to follow what is most probable; in speculative thought we are compelled to follow truth - Baruch Spinoza
    In this second episode of our Descartes series, we take a close look at his second meditation, which builds off of, and tries to answer to, the first meditation. We pick the story back up where Descartes does not know anything for certain, and he begins seeking for something he can unequivocally know for sure. He then concludes that as a thinking being, his existence is necessary; in other words, to think, one must exist. Cogito ergo sum - I think therefore I am.
    We also briefly touch on Simulation Theory and how Descartes inspired many works after him. We also lead into the next episode with a consideration of the existence of God, which will be discussed at length in Meditation Three.
    Always feel free to let us know what you think, or any episode requests. We would love to hear from you!
    34 min
  • Descartes's First Meditation: Things That Can Be Called Into Question
    If you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things - Rene Descartes
    In this first episode of our Descartes series, we take a close look at his first meditation. We also look at his dedicatory letter to the Sorbonne, as it provides both questions and insights into possible motives behind the meditations. We consider as Descartes uses his method of doubt to begin to question categories of things, including the senses, which deceive, whether or not we can know we are dreaming, and even basic foundational principles.
    We will discuss possible solutions to some of the problems he mentions here in future episodes, but his argument is compelling and gave rise to centuries of philosophers, skeptics, and thinkers who took the tools he gave them and constructed ideas we often see around us today.
    Always feel free to let us know what you think, or any episode requests. We would love to hear from you!
    32 min
  • The Republic by Plato: Book Two Part Two, The State and The Individual
    I think, therefore I am - Rene Descartes
    This is our fourth episode in a series of four taking a look at Plato's best-known work, The Republic. We discuss Book Two specifically in this episode, looking at the continued argument for justice, but with a specific focus on the state. Plato responds to the argument put forth in last episode by Glaucon and Adeimantus by drawing parallels between the state and the individual with regards to justice. In many ways, to Plato, the state was a representation of the individual, and it is by looking there, that we can more easily see justice - and more importantly, how to be just in an unhealthy state. We discuss the role of censorship, the division of labor, a standing army, and political metaphors that still apply to the present day.
    Always feel free to let us know what you think, or any episode requests. We would love to hear from you!
    41 min
  • The Republic by Plato: Book Two Part One, The Ring of Gyges and Glaucon's Challenge to Socrates
    Man is the measure of all things - Protagoras
    This is our third episode in a series of four (we recently decided to make Book Two into two episodes) where we will be taking a look at Plato's best-known work, The Republic. We discuss Book Two specifically in this episode, looking at the continued argument for justice, beginning in Book One with Thrasymachus. We start off briefly by discussing the divided line, and knowledge, before moving into The Ring of Gyges - or the ring of invisibility. We discuss how that influences the just and unjust person, and whether or not the just or unjust is happier. We also talk about how this information is applicable in looking back, as well as looking forward.
    Always feel free to let us know what you think, or any episode requests. We would love to hear from you!
    41 min

About Two Guys Searching For Truth On The Road That Never Ends...

From the publisher's feed

Podcasts Hosts Glaucon and Crito Search for Truth Through Examining Philosophy and Hope to Provide You with Helpful Insights Along the Way...