Western Moral Philosophy For Beginners

Aquinas: Faith and Reason

Can faith and reason truly work together? In this episode of Philosophy for Beginners, we explore the thought of Thomas Aquinas, the medieval scholar who sought harmony between Aristotle’s philosophy and Christian theology.

Aquinas argued that reason could uncover truths about the natural world, while faith revealed mysteries beyond reason’s reach. His Summa Theologica became a cornerstone of Western philosophy and theology, shaping debates on ethics, law, and the nature of God.

Join us as we uncover how Aquinas united faith and reason — and why his vision continues to influence philosophy, religion, and culture today.

Produced by Selenius Media and The Artificial Laboratory

In this episode of Philosophy for Beginners, we turn to Michel de Montaigne (1533–1592), the French nobleman who withdrew from public life to a tower filled with books and invented a new form of philosophy: the essay. Montaigne believed that wisdom comes not from building grand systems but from examining ordinary experience with honesty and doubt. He wrote about friendship, death, custom, and the body with candor that still feels startlingly modern. By asking “What do I know?” Montaigne taught that humility and skepticism can be virtues, and that philosophy should help us live well rather than argue endlessly.

Produced by Selenius Media – Music by The Artificial Laboratory.

Title: Niccolò Machiavelli – The Morality of Power

In this episode of Philosophy for Beginners, we leave the humanist gentleness of Erasmus and step into the sharp world of Florentine politics with Niccolò Machiavelli. Civil servant, diplomat, dramatist, and author of The Prince and Discourses on Livy, Machiavelli has been remembered as ruthless and cunning — but his deepest concern was the survival of the state. What does it really take to hold power, to govern effectively, to preserve liberty against invasion and corruption? We explore his hard-eyed honesty about human nature, his vision of virtù and fortuna, and his enduring challenge: can morality and politics ever truly align?

Produced by Selenius Media – Music by The Artificial Laboratory.

What does it mean to find hope when fortune turns against you? In this episode of Philosophy for Beginners, we explore the life and thought of Boethius, a Roman statesman whose fall from power gave rise to one of the most influential works of medieval philosophy, The Consolation of Philosophy.

Guided by the figure of Lady Philosophy, Boethius wrestled with questions of fate, free will, and the nature of true happiness. His reflections shaped centuries of Christian and philosophical thought — from Dante to Aquinas — and still offer wisdom for anyone facing hardship today.

Join us as we step into his prison cell and discover how philosophy became not just theory, but consolation in troubled times.

Produced by Selenius Media and The Artificial Laboratory

Erasmus: Humanism & Reform

What role can scholarship play in renewing society? In this episode of Philosophy for Beginners, we explore the life and thought of Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam, the Renaissance humanist who sought to unite learning, faith, and reform.

Erasmus believed that truth should be sought in the original sources of wisdom — in scripture, in classical texts, in the honest work of reason. His critical edition of the New Testament reshaped theology, while his writings urged moderation, tolerance, and moral clarity during one of Europe’s most divided centuries.

Join us as we trace Erasmus’s vision of humanism and reform — and discover why his call for wisdom, peace, and integrity remains strikingly relevant in our own fractured times.

Hypatia: The Philosopher of Alexandria

Welcome to Philosophy for Beginners. Today, we turn to Hypatia of Alexandria (c. 360–415 CE), one of the most remarkable figures of late antiquity. A mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher, Hypatia became a symbol of intellectual courage in a world of political and religious upheaval.

In this episode, we’ll explore her life as a teacher at the great Library of Alexandria, her contributions to philosophy and science, and the tragic circumstances of her death that made her a martyr for reason and free inquiry. Hypatia’s legacy endures as a reminder of the importance of knowledge, tolerance, and the pursuit of truth in the face of dogma.

Join us as we discover why Hypatia remains a vital figure for anyone seeking wisdom in turbulent times.

Produced by Selenius Media & Music by The Artificial Laboratory.

Marcus Aurelius was both emperor and philosopher, a man who ruled the most powerful empire of his time while quietly recording his private reflections on life, duty, and mortality. In this episode, we explore The Meditations—a work never meant for publication, yet which has become one of the most influential texts in Stoic philosophy. We’ll see how Marcus wrestled with power, loss, and the fleeting nature of existence, and why his wisdom continues to guide readers in search of resilience and inner calm.

Produced by Selenius Media and The Artificial Laboratory.

In this episode of Philosophy Now, we explore the essential philosophy of Epicurus, uncovering his radical yet simple vision of happiness through tranquility, friendship, and freedom from fear. Learn how his teachings on desire, pleasure, and the nature of death invite us to live with balance and serenity. Featuring dramatized insights and practical reflections, this journey into Epicurean thought reveals timeless wisdom on finding peace in a complex world.

In this episode of Philosophy Now, we guide you through the essential philosophy of Aristotle, exploring his groundbreaking ideas on matter, form, and the purpose of life. Discover how Aristotle’s teachings on potentiality and actuality shape our understanding of the natural world and our place within it. Featuring dramatized insights and practical reflections, this journey into Aristotelian thought offers timeless wisdom for modern living.

Produced by Selenius Media. Enjoy!

Step beyond the cave and into the mind of Western philosophy’s most enduring voice. Plato is the 3rd episode in the podcast Philosophy for beginners that unpacks one a western philosopher at a time in bite size 15 minute episodes. Whether you’re a newcomer to philosophy or a seasoned thinker revisiting old friends, Plato offers a fresh, cinematic gateway to the conversations that shaped our intellectual heritage—and still shape our future.

Produced by Selenius Media - the team behind Philosophy for Beginners.