Deeper Dive - DSU's podcast
by Walker Uhl & Nick Dungey
The DSU podcast “Deeper Dive” is a weekly dialog between the moderator Walker Uhl and Professor Nick Dungey. Each week we will discuss a current event of global significance. Moving beyond the traditional left – right ideological debate, we identify the deeper core philosophical ideas that give rise to the events themselves and the partisan arguments that surround them.
Episodes
-
My Freedom, My Rights, and the End of the Social Contract
In the last two years we have seen an explosion in assertion of "absolute freedom" and "absolute rights" in the social and political crisis surrounding vaccines and the government's authority to mandate vaccines. Throughout the country, people have asserted an irreducible freedom and an...
-
Texas and the Theologico-Political Crisis
"I have longer to please the dead than please the living here." (Sophocles, Antigone). With these chilling words, Antigone sets in motion a Theologico-Political Crisis that will devour the Royal Family of Thebes and shatter the city. The Theologico-Political crisis that constitutes the drama of...
-
We Are Back
After an extended break, Walker and Professor Dungey return! In this, "we are back," episode we examine where we are, and identify three main ideas to contextualize what is happening and where we are going. First, we must always remember that democracies are inherently fragile, and sometimes...
-
Becoming Mortal Gods and the End of Liberal Democracy
A critical theme running throughout Modern, and Modern Liberal Political Theory is the recognition of, and consequences that result from, the Death or Displacement of God. Ever since Machiavelli Displaced God from the Cosmos and the Human Mind, it has now become necessary for Human Beings to…
more -
The Age of Acquisition and the Perfection of Inequality
The Washington Post proclaims: "The GOP Tax Reform is a Scam." As Millions of working and middle class people are discovering that their tax returns are either significantly lower, or, that they actually owe substantial amount of money, they feel conned. And yet, while the recent GOP tax reform...
-
Government Shutdown, Executive Power, and the Coming Authoritarianism
As the Institutions and Processes of Government continue to falter and breakdown, another Government Shutdowns looms, and the ominous threat of a Declaration of National Emergency darkens the American sky, we investigate what all three of the phenomena have in common, and how they will contribute...
-
DSU LIVE FB event - Winning the Culture Wars and the End of Liberal Democracy
In our Fourth, Special DSU Event, we share with you the audio from a DSU Live Event, recorded on October 21, 2017. In this episode, we examine the renewed attempt by powerful groups within American Society and Democracy to ACQUIRE AND EXERCISE POLITICAL POWER FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSERTING A…
more -
The State of Nature, Social Contract, and Guns
In the wake of yet another mass shooting that left 17 young people dead at a high school in Parkland, Florida, the nation is once again torn apart by suffering and vicious ideological debate about gun ownership in America. In this episode, "The State of Nature, Social Contract, and Guns,"…
more -
FB1_Chaos as a Political Strategy
Recently, Donald Trump said he "likes governing by chaos." And, there are many who would say that his administration is chaotic. In this episode, Professor Dungey investigates the philosophical origins and meanings of the idea of Chaos as it emerges in Early Modern Political Theory. What role did...
-
Welcome to the Post-Truth Presidency
For two years we have been told that the informational, social, and political crisis now unfolding has been set in motion by the emergence of the Post-Truth Language and Thoughts of Trump. Indeed, last year, Chuck Todd declared, "Welcome to the Post-Truth Presidency." In this counter-intuitive...
-
DSU LIVE FB Event, recorded 11/11/17 - Boethius, Machiavelli, and Lady Fortuna: The Origins of the Modern Sexual Assault Crisis
In our Second, Special DSU Event, we share with you the audio from a DSU Live event, recorded on November 11, 2017. In the past two years, the Sexual Assault Crisis has exploded over every facet of our lives. From Entertainment to Politics, to Corporate America, and Sports, the avalanche of…
more -
DSU LIVE FB event, recorded 11/2/17 - Collusion, Conspiracy, Trump, and Locke's Account of the Dissolution of Government
In this SPECIAL DSU Podcast event, we share with you the audio from a DSU LIVE Facebook Event, recorded on November 2, 2017. In this episode, "Collusion, Conspiracy, Trump, and Locke's Account of the Dissolution of Government," we examine Locke's specific examples of when actions taken by a...
-
We are thrilled to be back
After an eight month hiatus, the DSU podcasts are back! In this episode, Walker and Professor Dungey welcome the DSU family and muse about the most significant themes and events that have transpired since April 2017. In this episode we discuss the idea that in the Modern, Liberal Philosophical...
-
Living "Life as Art:" The Ana Kasparian Interview
In our most recent episode: "Living 'Life as Art:' the Ana Kasparian Interview," we revisit our most favorite theme. In a past episode titled, "Life as Art," we raised the question of what it would be like to treat consciousness, meaning, and even life itself as an aesthetic experience. Living…
more -
Deconstruction of the Administrative State
In a recent interview, Stephen Bannon, the Chief Advisor and Intellectual Strategist of the Trump Administration, said that the Primary Goal of the Trump Administration is the "Deconstruction of the Administrative State." In our most recent episode, titled, "The Mythology of the 'Deconstruction…
more -
Informational Tribalism
Recently, Donald Trump stated: "The Past 'Phony' Jobs Numbers are now 'Very Real.'" In our last episode, "A Very (Brief) History of Truth," we investigated the philosophical meaning of the "Truth" and traced its historical transformation across different philosophical epochs. In our follow-up...
-
A (Very) Brief History of Truth
The headlines declare: We live in a Post-Truth world, characterized by Alternative Facts and Fake News. What the hell is going on? In our most recent episode, "A (Very) Brief History of Truth," we discuss the historical origin and philosophical meanings of the idea Truth. In order to try to...
-
Liberal Philosophy, Happiness, and Affluenza Anonymous
In our most recent episode, "Liberal Philosophy, Happiness, and Affluenza Anonymous," we continue our discussion of the Ancient-Modern debate surrounding the meaning and pursuit of Happiness. In this episode, we investigate the historical and philosophical origins of the Modern, Liberal…
more -
Locke's Prerogative Power, Trump's Executive Order, and the Appeal to Heaven
In light of the extraordinary legal, social, and political events of the past week, we return to an examination of Locke's notion of Prerogative Power, The Take Care Clause, and Executive Orders. In addition, we examine Locke's fascinating and terrifying analysis of what happens when there is a...
-
The Great Debate Between Hobbes and Locke Finally Settled?
While Hobbes and Locke are two of the most important thinkers of Modern, Liberal Political Philosophy, they had radically different views about the best sort of regime human beings could create through the Social Contract. According to Hobbes's pessimistic view of human nature, he believed...
-
The Philosophies and Tactics of War and the DAPL Protestors
In our most recent episode, "The Philosophies and Tactics of War and the DAPL Protestors," we examine the recent, alarming events at Standing Rock, North Dakota. Grounding our conversation in Locke's famous warning to all citizens, that if you are not vigilant and on guard against the…
more -
Boethius' Philosophy of Happiness and False Happiness
In our Thanks giving episode, "Boethius' Philosophy of Happiness and False Happiness," we explore Boethius' ancient and powerful account of human happiness and fortune. In this episode we investigate Boethius' philosophical and poetic fusion of Platonic philosophy and Stoicism. By identifying...
-
Liberal Philosophy, Tolerance, and Where We Go From Here
In our first episode after the most controversial Presidential Election in American History, we return to a discussion of the fundamental and irreconcilable differences that generate Liberal Philosophy and the creation of American Democracy. Intimately connected to the recognition of…
more -
Answering the Big Questions
We are living in an existential, social, and political maelstrom. In our most recent episode, we take a step back from the flames and present the audio from our first Dungey State University Facebook Live Event. Here we respond to three critical questions: What can be done on the personal and...
-
The End of Legitimacy?
During the final Presidential debate, both candidates where asked, once again, if they would accept the outcome of the election. Before 80,000,000 viewers, Donald Trump said, "I'll tell you at the time. I'll keep you in suspense." Donald Trump made this extraordinary comment because he believes…
more -
Machiavelli, Public and Private Positions, and Hillary Clinton
In a recently revealed document, Hillary Clinton said to a group of real estate investors, "you need both a public and private position." Earlier in the year, during a highly paid speech for executives at Deutsche Bank, Hillary Clinton said that she dreams of a "hemispheric common market, with…
more -
JS Mill's Philosophy of Anxiety and its Role in Personal and Political Transformation
This is the season of Political Anxiety. A recent article in Reuters recommends to Americans anxious about the current political environment to "stop reading the news and take up yoga." While yoga is a wonderful practice, we do not advise Americans to stop reading the news and tune out. In our...
-
Locke's Philosophy of Law, the State of War, and Wells Fargo
The only separating the State of War from the Political community is the law, and the willingness and ability of the legal and political institutions to enforce it. When individuals or corporations engage in deliberate, on-going, and pervasive criminal activity on a massive scale, and the legal…
more -
Donald Trump, Guns, and the On-Going Crisis of Political Legitimacy
In a recent speech about the issue of gun ownership in America, Donald Trump said about Hillary Clinton: "I think that her bodyguards should drop all weapons . . . I think they should disarm. Immediately . . . . Let's see what happens to her. Take their guns away . . . . It'll be very dangerous."...
-
Colin Kaepernick, Martin Luther King, and the Philosophy of Protest and Civil Disobedience
Two weeks ago, Colin Kaepernick decided to "sit-out" the National Anthem. He did so to call attention to, and protest, what he believes to be systemic and institutional racism in American culture and law enforcement. His simple, passive, and non-violent protest ignited a firestorm of controversy...
-
Requiem for Liberal-Democratic Capitalism
In a recent editorial in the "Financial Times," the eminent British economics writer, Martin Wolf, warned that Liberal Democracy and Capitalism are heading for a cataclysmic rupture! In this episode, "Requiem for Liberal-Democratic Capitalism," we agree with Wolf's assessment, but argue that Mr....
-
Locke, the US Constitution and the New Machiavellian Prince.
In our fourth and final installment of our series on the transition from Liberal Democracy to Authoritarian Democracy, "Locke, the US Constitution and the New Machiavellian Prince." we examine the theoretical and political justifications for the emergence of a completely legitimate, Authoritarian...
-
Hobbes and the Democratization of the Prince,
In Part 3, "Hobbes and the Democratization of the Prince," of our on-going series on the transition from Liberal Democracy to Authoritarian Democracy, we explore the way Hobbes agreed with Machiavelli's fundamental observations about human beings and the natural world, but rejected Machiavelli's...
-
Machiavelli and the DNA of Authoritarian Democracy
In Part 2 of our ongoing series that examines the philosophical origins of, and the reasons for, a possible transition from Liberal Democracy to Authoritarian Democracy, we return to very beginning of Modern and Proto-Liberal political philosophy, Machiavelli and the Great Prince. In this…
more -
From Liberal Democracy to Authoritarian Democracy
It is commonplace to assume that Democracies and Authoritarian regimes are fundamentally different forms of political orders. It is believed that Democracies and Authoritarian regimes differ in their origins, institutions/processes, and ends. But, is this necessarily the case? Do modern…
more -
Mill's Philosophy of Free Speech, Radical Democracy, and Trump
In his classic treatise, "On Liberty," JS Mill makes some very powerful claims about free speech and radical democracy. Mill argues that individuals must be absolutely free to express their opinions, no matter how obnoxious, emotionally challenging, or offensive. Only opinions that lead to direct...
-
Locke's Subjectivist Philosophy of Revolution
In our most recent episode, "Locke's Subjectivist Philosophy of Revolution," Walker and Professor Dungey explore the terrifying and liberating dimensions of Locke's claim that when the decision to revolt comes, there are "no judges on Earth" to declare what is "right" or "wrong." In this...
-
The Cult of Ignorance in the United States
After a short break, Walker and Professor Dungey return. And, it does not get any better than this: A recent article making some noise in the popular discourse proclaims, "The Cult of Ignorance in the United States: Anti-Intellectualism and the 'dumbing-down' of America." Punchy. Provocative....
-
Plato Would be Horrified by Trump's Rise.
A recent editorial in the Washington Post declared: "Plato Would be Horrified by Trump's Rise." Well, you just knew that we could not pass that up! In our most recent episode, "Plato, Trump, and the Hunger Games of Liberal Democracy," we explain why Plato would be horrified by the rise and...
-
Globalization and the Managed Devaluation of the Western Social- Welfare Democracies
Real and raw economic insecurity is driving the electoral turmoil on both the left and the right. The anxiety is energized by the brutal awareness that the deep seated, Liberal-Enlightenment belief in perpetual economic prosperity and political influence is colliding with the emergence of a new...
-
From the Panama Papers to the Primary Election Process
Headlines scream: On both the Left and the Right, the Election Process is Rigged. The Panama Papers have shone a bright light into the obscure and byzantine ways political leaders and the wealthy "steal" public wealth through tax evasion. And last week, thousands of protestors were arrested in an...
-
From Thoreau to Foucault: Metaphysical and Postmodern Accounts of Resistance and Civil Disobedience
As the political season of discontent continues to heat up, we have a little fun investigating Thoreau's and Foucault's account of Resistance and Civil Disobedience. In our latest episode, "From Thoreau to Foucault: Metaphysical and Postmodern Accounts of Resistance and Civil Disobedience," we...
-
Civil Disobedience and the Season of Political Discontent
In recent months we have listened to Donald Trump suggest there might be riots if he is denied the Republican nomination, witnessed several acts of political violence, and now we hear the emerging chants from a group called Democracy Spring promising the largest civil disobedience action in...
-
Foucault, Disciplinary Power, And Your Threat Score
In our most recent episode, "Foucault, Disciplinary Power, And Your Threat Score," we investigate Foucault's account of Disciplinary Power and the way the primary strategies of Disciplinary Power--the control of space and time, surveillance, and the examination--fabricate subjectivity. In…
more -
De-legitimization, Political Violence, and Lockean Revolution
The recent episodes of political violence, emanating from both sides of the ideological spectrum, shocked the nation. Rhetorically ratcheting up the tension, Donald Trump mused that there might be riots if he is denied the nomination, while a left leaning critic of Donald Trump characterized the...
-
Fear, Death, and the Collapse of the American Political Space
In a recent interview, Noam Chomsky said, "fear, along with the breakdown of society" is responsible for the ascendency of Donald Trump's political influence. In this episode we investigate Chomsky's claim by locating fear in a broader historical and philosophical context, and we discuss how fear...
-
The battle over fillings Scalia's seat
In our most recent episode, Walker and Professor Dungey wade into the emerging political and constitutional crisis surrounding the appointment of the next Supreme Court Justice. Has ideological conflict now made it impossible to function within the existing legal and constitutional framework? Are...
-
Foucault in the Real World
Our most recent podcast, "Foucault in the Real World: Disciplinary Power and the Construction of Human Agency," is our final episode of a Four Part Series. In our last episode, we examined what a Nietzschean and Foucaultian account of Language meant for their interpretation of Power and Human...
-
The Implications of the View that Language is Power: Foucault's account of Power and Identity
Our most recent podcast, "The Implications of the View that Language is Power: Foucault's account of Power and Identity," is Part III in an ongoing series investigating the debate between Orwell's metaphysical account of Language and Human Agency and the emergence of a Nietzschean and Foucaultian...
About this show
The DSU podcast “Deeper Dive” is a weekly dialog between the moderator Walker Uhl and Professor Nick Dungey. Each week we will discuss a current event of global significance. Moving beyond the traditional left – right ideological debate, we identify the deeper core philosophical ideas that give rise to the events themselves and the partisan arguments that surround them.
Hosted by
Walker Uhl & Nick Dungey
Categories