All Episodes
John Vespasian — 476 episodes
Tradition versus change in Michel de Montaigne
Michel de Montaigne and the art of living
Michel de Montaigne’s art of living quietly
Michel de Montaigne’s key lesson on the art of living
What Seneca got wrong about human nature
Seneca on personal fulfilment
A summary of Seneca’s advice on personal fulfilment
Seneca on finding joy in solitude
Why Michel de Montaigne had no impact on early modern philosophy
Michel de Montaigne’s impact on early modern philosophy
Michel de Montaigne’s contribution to early modern philosophy
Michel de Montaigne’s impact on French literature and cultural identity
Why Seneca praised solitude
Seneca’s quotes about anger
Why should one read Seneca today?
The main benefits from reading Seneca today
Michel de Montaigne’s relevance today
Why Michel de Montaigne remains relevant today
Happiness and Aristotle’s theory of the soul
Critics of Aristotle’s views on politics and governance
What Seneca taught about dealing with failure
Seneca’s thoughts on revenge
Was Seneca wrong about revenge?
Seneca on dealing with betrayal
Seneca on overcoming envy and jealousy
Aristotle’s theory of the soul
The two keys in Aristotle’s views on politics and governance
Critique of Aristotle’s theory of justice
Opposition to Schopenhauer’s theory of knowledge
Analysis of Schopenhauer’s philosophy of happiness
Schopenhauer’s philosophy of life
Philosophical lessons from Seneca’s tragedies
Seneca and the art of patience
How to practise Seneca’s art of patience
Seneca on overcoming stress
Schopenhauer and existentialism
Schopenhauer and knowledge
Schopenhauer on happiness
The key difference between Schopenhauer and existentialism
Analysis of Schopenhauer’s philosophy of life
Refutation of Schopenhauer’s views on love and relationships
Seneca’s methods for overcoming stress
Why Seneca’s anti-stress methods still work today
Seneca’s key insight for overcoming stress
Seneca on time management
An example of Schopenhauer’s philosophy of life
Effectiveness of Schopenhauer’s philosophy of life
Schopenhauer’s views on love and relationships
Schopenhauer and Freud: similarities and differences
Opponents to Schopenhauer’s views on psychology
Seneca’s advice on time management
Seneca’s errors about time management
Seneca on happiness
Seneca’s best advice on happiness
Happiness and Schopenhauer’s philosophy of life
Schopenhauer’s biography (5 of 5): the illustrious years
Schopenhauer’s biography (4 of 5): the years of disappointing success
Schopenhauer’s biography (3 of 5): the struggling decade
Schopenhauer’s biography (2 of 5): the path to the theory of the will
Schopenhauer’s biography (1 of 5): The first turning point
Seneca on living without regrets
Seneca’s simple formula for happiness
Seneca on the meaning of life
Seneca’s philosophy of tranquillity
Aristotle’s key ideas on flourishing and success
Aristotle’s views on success compared to Kant’s
Aristotle’s philosophy of mind and consciousness
The three principles in Aristotle’s philosophy of mind and consciousness
Aristotle’s key insight on the nature of reality and existence
The role of causality in Aristotle’s views on reality and existence
Seneca’s specific advice on tranquillity
Seneca: tranquillity in extreme situations
Seneca on how to live a good life
Seneca: myths about the good life
Seneca: putting the good life into practice
Seneca on dealing with criticism
Seneca: effectiveness in the face of criticism
Philosophical lessons from Seneca’s life (Part 4)
Philosophical lessons from Seneca’s life (Part 3)
Philosophical lessons from Seneca’s life (Part 2)
Philosophical lessons from Seneca’s life (Part 1)
How to use Seneca’s philosophy today
Schopenhauer’s philosophy of life compared with Taoism
Idealism in Schopenhauer’s views on love and relationships
Schopenhauer’s influence on Freud
Schopenhauer on ethics
Schopenhauer’s views on the self
Opposition to Schopenhauer’s philosophy of education
Key Seneca’s insights to implement today
Seneca’s warning against Stoicism
Seneca on resilience
What Seneca got wrong about resilience
Aristotle’s views on ethics, virtue and happiness
Aristotle’s pursuit of knowledge and truth
Aristotle’s views on politics and governance
Aristotle’s theory of justice
Aristotle’s views on natural philosophy
Aristotle’s concept of teleology
Schopenhauer on psychology
How to think like Seneca
The risks of thinking like Seneca
Seneca’s essays on life
Understanding Seneca’s philosophy
Aristotle’s perspective on the purpose of human life
Key ideas in Aristotle’s concepts of potentiality and actuality
Happiness and Aristotle’s views on the nature of reality and existence
The failed crusade against Aristotle’s philosophy of logic
Misunderstandings about Seneca’s ideas
Seneca on the fear of death
Seneca’s principles for thriving in life
Seneca’s thoughts on self-reliance
Seneca’s Letters from a Stoic, explained
Accuracy in Aristotle’s philosophy of logic
The superiority of Aristotle’s teachings on logic and reasoning
Morality in Aristotle’s teachings on logic and reasoning
Opponents to Aristotle’s thoughts on human nature
Seneca on the best use of time
How Seneca viewed time
Seneca on avoiding distractions
Seneca’s formula for avoiding distractions
Schopenhauer’s views on solitude
Schopenhauer’s key ideas on ethics
Differences between Schopenhauer and Buddhism
Schopenhauer and Indian philosophy
Seneca’s thoughts on mental strength
Seneca’s misconceptions about mental strength
Seneca’s reflections on personal growth
Seneca on effectiveness
Critique of Aristotle’s thoughts on human nature
Cultural impact of Aristotle’s philosophy of logic
Critique of Aristotle’s theory of the prime mover
Opponents to Aristotle’s theory of virtue and character development
Putting Aristotle’s theory of virtue and character development into practice
Seneca: effectiveness leads to happiness
Seneca’s ideas on the nature of fate
Seneca on how to stop worrying
Putting Seneca’s anti-worry recipe into practice
Putting Seneca’s anti-worry recipe into practice
Seneca’s formula for achieving tranquillity
Seneca’s advice on setbacks
Seneca’s advice on dealing with uncertainty
Seneca’s mistake in the pursuit of wisdom
Seneca’s advice on making good decisions
Seneca on handling pessimism
Seneca on overcoming doubts and fears
Seneca’s advice on staying calm under pressure
Seneca’s philosophy explained
Seneca’s path to serenity
Seneca’s teachings on justice
Seneca on dealing with heartbreak and grief
Seneca on how to deal with disappointments
Seneca’s letters on motivation
Seneca’s approach to mental clarity
Aristotle’s teachings on logic and reasoning
Aristotle’s thoughts on human nature
Education and Aristotle’s theory of virtue and character development
Putting Aristotle’s theory of rhetoric and persuasion into practice
Impact of Aristotle’s views on knowledge and learning
Michel de Montaigne’s thoughts
Analysis of Schopenhauer’s views on ethics
Analysis of Schopenhauer’s views on solitude
Schopenhauer and the philosophy of education
Schopenhauer’s teachings drawn from Buddhism
Schopenhauer’s philosophy of art and beauty
Differences between Schopenhauer and Indian philosophy
Practical examples of Michel de Montaigne’s thoughts
Michel de Montaigne’s thoughts on risk
Michel de Montaigne and humanism
Examples of Michel de Montaigne and humanism
Michel de Montaigne and the Renaissance
Practical examples of Michel de Montaigne’s thoughts
Aristotle’s theory of rhetoric and persuasion
Aristotle’s philosophy of aesthetics
Aristotle’s theory of virtue and character development
Modern attacks against Aristotle’s thoughts on human nature
Examples of Aristotle’s theory of rhetoric and persuasion
Opponents to Aristotle’s views on education
History in Michel de Montaigne and the Renaissance
Risk taking in Montaigne and the Renaissance
Cato in Michel de Montaigne and the Renaissance
Simplicity in Michel de Montaigne and the Renaissance
Results orientation in Michel de Montaigne and the Renaissance
Michel de Montaigne and classical philosophy
Analysis of Schopenhauer’s views on intellectual pursuits
Errors in Schopenhauer’s views on the problem of evil
Lessons from Schopenhauer’s views on genius
Schopenhauer’s philosophy of life in daily practice
Criticism of Schopenhauer’s philosophy of art and beauty
Origin of Schopenhauer’s views on intellectual pursuits
Schopenhauer’s views on the relationship between art and morality
Democritus and Heraclitus: Montaigne and classical philosophy
Stoicism: Michel de Montaigne and classical philosophy
Cicero: Michel de Montaigne and classical philosophy
Aristotle: Michel de Montaigne and classical philosophy
Michel de Montaigne and humanistic ideas
Democritus and Heraclitus: Montaigne and humanistic ideas
Aristotle’s views on the nature of reality
Aristotle’s philosophy of logic
Aristotle’s concept of practical wisdom
Impact of Aristotle’s theory of justice
Aristotle’s theory of the four causes
Aristotle’s views on knowledge and learning
Aristotle’s views on education
Michel de Montaigne and intellectual curiosity
Michel de Montaigne and cultural identity
Errors in Montaigne’s views on cultural identity
Michel de Montaigne and political philosophy
Michel de Montaigne and the nature of personal growth
Michel de Montaigne’s advice on personal growth
Schopenhauer’s views on the nature of evil
Schopenhauer’s views on religion
Schopenhauer’s views on genius
Schopenhauer and the problem of evil
Schopenhauer’s views on intellectual pursuits
Schopenhauer’s influence on literature
Michel de Montaigne and literary exploration
Michel de Montaigne and the art of introspection
Michel de Montaigne’s personal reflections
Accuracy of Michel de Montaigne’s personal reflections
Michel de Montaigne and the nature of human experience
Aristotle’s views on friendship
Aristotle’s four key contributions to philosophy
Key ideas in Aristotle’s teachings on logic and reasoning
Aristotle’s thoughts on tragedy and literature
Opponents to Aristotle’s views on knowledge and learning
Putting Aristotle’s views on education into practice
Michel de Montaigne and moral philosophy
Michel de Montaigne and existentialism
Michel de Montaigne as a precursor of existentialism
Michel de Montaigne’s scepticism
Social organisation and Michel de Montaigne’s scepticism
Schopenhauer and the meaning of life
Schopenhauer’s key concepts
The revival of Aristotle’s views on education
Schopenhauer and the role of reason
Aristotle’s influence on Western philosophy
Analysis of Schopenhauer’s views on the role of reason
Michel de Montaigne and moral relativism
Critique of Michel de Montaigne’s moral relativism
Michel de Montaigne and cultural relativism
Consequences of Montaigne’s moral and cultural relativism
Michel de Montaigne and the nature of truth
Schopenhauer’s main ideas
The path of Aristotle’s influence on Western philosophy
Schopenhauer’s views on wisdom
Aristotle’s theory of the prime mover
Happiness and Michel de Montaigne’s views on the nature of truth
Michel de Montaigne and human nature
Michel de Montaigne’s key lesson about human nature
Michel de Montaigne’s thoughts on friendship
Michel de Montaigne and the concept of virtue
Personal growth and Montaigne’s concept of virtue
Hard decisions and Montaigne’s concept of virtue
The essays by Michel de Montaigne
How Michel de Montaigne wrote his essays
The structure of Michel de Montaigne’s essays
Michel de Montaigne and free will
Michel de Montaigne and wisdom
Controversy in Michel de Montaigne’s wisdom
Michel de Montaigne and self-discipline
Michel de Montaigne’s advice on self-discipline
Michel de Montaigne and happiness
Individuality and determinism in Schopenhauer
Aristotle’s views on the nature of reality and existence
Analysis of Schopenhauer’s views on the meaning of life
Aristotle’s thoughts on the purpose of art and beauty
Schopenhauer on determinism
Aristotle’s understanding of human flourishing and success
Schopenhauer and Buddhism
Aristotle’s concepts of potentiality and actuality
Michel de Montaigne’s literary works and themes
Michel de Montaigne and the pursuit of knowledge
Critique of Michel de Montaigne’s method for pursuing knowledge
Michel de Montaigne and the importance of reading
Michel de Montaigne: how reading enhances self-reliance
Michel de Montaigne’s literary appreciation and criticism
Lessons from Michel de Montaigne’s literary appreciation and criticism
Michel de Montaigne and the art of conversation
Montaigne’s cultural impact, especially on French literature
Critique of Michel de Montaigne’s cultural impact
Michel de Montaigne and self-awareness
Michel de Montaigne and individualism
Michel de Montaigne and authenticity in writing
Analysis of Michel de Montaigne’s authenticity in writing
Asymmetry in Michel de Montaigne’s literary authenticity
Asceticism and Michel de Montaigne’s literary authenticity
Schopenhauer’s philosophy summary
Schopenhauer’s theory of the will
The great merit of Schopenhauer’s theory of the will
Schopenhauer and Nietzsche: similarities and differences
Schopenhauer’s theory of the will compared to other philosophers
Reasons for the similarities and differences between Schopenhauer and Nietzsche
Origins of the similarities and differences between Schopenhauer and Nietzsche
Schopenhauer and the philosophy of perception
Critique of Schopenhauer’s philosophy of perception
Comparison of Schopenhauer and Hegel
Impact of the comparison between Schopenhauer and Hegel
Schopenhauer on determinism
Individuality and determinism in Schopenhauer
Schopenhauer and the philosophy of time
Schopenhauer and the philosophy of history
Michel de Montaigne on self-discovery and self-expression
Michel de Montaigne on the limits to self-discovery and self-expression
Self-discipline and Michel de Montaigne’s self-expression
Michel de Montaigne and the true path to self-discovery
Michel de Montaigne and intellectual independence
Michel de Montaigne and the advantages of intellectual independence
Michel de Montaigne’s intellectual independence and peace of mind
Critique of Schopenhauer’s philosophy of history
Schopenhauer’s pessimism: what it is and what it’s not
Exaggeration and reality in Schopenhauer's pessimism
Literary creativity in Michel de Montaigne’s essays
The key to Michel de Montaigne’s literary creativity
Michel de Montaigne's literary style
Philosophical lessons from Michel de Montaigne’s literary style
Montaigne’s literary techniques and contributions
Human flourishing and Schopenhauer’s pessimism
The myth of Schopenhauer’s pessimism
Schopenhauer and the idea of justice
Analysis of Schopenhauer’s idea of justice
Problem solving and Michel de Montaigne’s literary techniques
The rationale for Michel de Montaigne’s literary techniques
Literary analysis of Michel de Montaigne’s essays
The role of purpose in the literary analysis of Montaigne’s essays
Michel de Montaigne’s literary legacy
Key elements in Michel de Montaigne’s literary legacy
Schopenhauer and freedom
Critique of Schopenhauer’s ideas on freedom
Schopenhauer’s views on the nature of existence
Impact of Schopenhauer’s views on the nature of existence
Aristotle’s theory of causality
Aristotle’s philosophy of metaphysics
The hidden message in Michel de Montaigne’s literary legacy
Michel de Montaigne’s biography (5 of 5): joy until the last minute
Michel de Montaigne’s biography (4 of 5): the pinnacle years
Michel de Montaigne’s biography (3 of 5): dealing with chronic illness
Michel de Montaigne’s biography (2 of 5): his momentous decision
Michel de Montaigne’s biography (1 of 5): his early years
Michel de Montaigne’s biography: literary hints and clues
Examples of Schopenhauer’s views on the nature of existence
Schopenhauer and Kant, a comparison
Schopenhauer and the unconscious
Impact of Schopenhauer’s views on the unconscious
Critique of Schopenhauer’s views on the unconscious
Schopenhauer and the nature of truth
Examples of Schopenhauer’s views on the nature of truth
Michel de Montaigne’s biography: tradition versus change
Michel de Montaigne and the art of living
Michel de Montaigne’s art of living quietly
Michel de Montaigne’s key lesson on the art of living
Michel de Montaigne’s impact on early modern philosophy
Why Michel de Montaigne had no impact on early modern philosophy
Michel de Montaigne’s contribution to early modern philosophy
Michel de Montaigne’s impact on French literature and cultural identity
Michel de Montaigne’s relevance today
Why Michel de Montaigne remains relevant today
Aristotle’s theory of the four causes
Aristotle’s concept of teleology
Aristotle’s theory of the soul
Happiness and Aristotle’s theory of the soul
Aristotle’s views on ethics, virtue and happiness
Aristotle’s concept of practical wisdom
Schopenhauer and existentialism
Schopenhauer and knowledge
Opposition to Schopenhauer’s theory of knowledge
Schopenhauer on happiness
Analysis of Schopenhauer’s philosophy of happiness
The key difference between Schopenhauer and existentialism
Aristotle’s views on the nature of reality
Aristotle’s perspective on the purpose of human life
Aristotle’s views on friendship
Aristotle’s views on natural philosophy
Aristotle’s views on politics and governance
Critics of Aristotle’s views on politics and governance
The two keys in Aristotle’s views on politics and governance
Aristotle’s theory of justice
Schopenhauer’s philosophy of life
Analysis of Schopenhauer’s philosophy of life
Happiness and Schopenhauer’s philosophy of life
An example of Schopenhauer’s philosophy of life
Schopenhauer’s philosophy of life in daily practice
Effectiveness in Schopenhauer’s philosophy of life
Schopenhauer’s philosophy of life compared with Taoism
Schopenhauer’s views on love and relationships
Refutation of Schopenhauer’s views on love and relationships
Idealism in Schopenhauer’s views on love and relationships
Impact of Aristotle’s theory of justice
Critique of Aristotle’s theory of justice
Aristotle’s understanding of human flourishing and success
Key ideas in Aristotle’s understanding of human flourishing and success
Aristotle’s understanding of human flourishing and success compared to Kant’s
Aristotle’s concepts of potentiality and actuality
Key ideas in Aristotle’s concepts of potentiality and actuality
Aristotle’s pursuit of knowledge and truth
Aristotle’s four key contributions to philosophy
Aristotle’s philosophy of mind and consciousness
Schopenhauer and Freud: similarities and differences
Schopenhauer’s influence on Freud
Schopenhauer on psychology
Opponents to Schopenhauer’s views on psychology
Schopenhauer’s biography (4 of 5): the years of disappointing success
Schopenhauer’s biography (3 of 5): the struggling decade
Schopenhauer’s biography (2 of 5): the path to the theory of the will
Schopenhauer’s biography (1 of 5): The first turning point
Schopenhauer’s biography (5 of 5): the illustrious years
Schopenhauer on ethics
The three principles in Aristotle’s philosophy of mind and consciousness
Aristotle’s views on the nature of reality and existence
Aristotle’s key insight on the nature of reality and existence
The role of causality in Aristotle’s views on the nature of reality and existence
Happiness and Aristotle’s views on the nature of reality and existence
Aristotle’s philosophy of logic
Accuracy in Aristotle’s philosophy of logic
Cultural impact of Aristotle’s philosophy of logic
The failed crusade against Aristotle’s philosophy of logic
Aristotle’s teachings on logic and reasoning
Analysis of Schopenhauer’s views on ethics
Schopenhauer’s key ideas on ethics
Schopenhauer’s views on solitude
Analysis of Schopenhauer’s views on solitude
Schopenhauer’s views on the self
Schopenhauer and the philosophy of education
Opposition to Schopenhauer’s philosophy of education
Schopenhauer and Buddhism
Differences between Schopenhauer and Buddhism
Schopenhauer’s teachings drawn from Buddhism
Key ideas in Aristotle’s teachings on logic and reasoning
The superiority of Aristotle’s teachings on logic and reasoning
Morality in Aristotle’s teachings on logic and reasoning
Aristotle’s theory of the prime mover
Critique of Aristotle’s theory of the prime mover
Aristotle’s thoughts on human nature
Opponents to Aristotle’s thoughts on human nature
Critique of Aristotle’s thoughts on human nature
Modern attacks against Aristotle’s thoughts on human nature
Aristotle’s theory of virtue and character development
Schopenhauer and Indian philosophy
Differences between Schopenhauer and Indian philosophy
Schopenhauer’s views on religion
Schopenhauer’s philosophy of art and beauty
Criticism of Schopenhauer’s philosophy of art and beauty
Schopenhauer’s views on genius
Opponents to Aristotle’s views on knowledge and learning
The opponents to Aristotle’s theory of virtue and character development
Putting Aristotle’s theory of virtue and character development into practice
Education and Aristotle’s theory of virtue and character development
Aristotle’s philosophy of aesthetics
Aristotle’s thoughts on tragedy and literature
Aristotle’s thoughts on the purpose of art and beauty
Aristotle’s theory of rhetoric and persuasion
Schopenhauer and the problem of evil
Putting Aristotle’s theory of rhetoric and persuasion into practice
Lessons from Schopenhauer’s views on genius
Schopenhauer’s views on the nature of evil
Errors in Schopenhauer’s views on the problem of evil
Schopenhauer’s views on intellectual pursuits
Analysis of Schopenhauer’s views on intellectual pursuits
Origin of Schopenhauer’s views on intellectual pursuits
Schopenhauer’s views on the relationship between art and morality
Schopenhauer’s views on wisdom
Schopenhauer and the meaning of life
Analysis of Schopenhauer’s views on the meaning of life
Examples of Aristotle’s theory of rhetoric and persuasion
Aristotle’s views on knowledge and learning
Impact of Aristotle's views on knowledge and learning
Schopenhauer’s influence on literature
Aristotle’s views on education
Opponents to Aristotle’s views on education
Putting Aristotle’s views on education into practice
Schopenhauer's main ideas
Schopenhauer's key concepts
The revival of Aristotle’s views on education
Schopenhauer and the role of reason
Aristotle’s influence on Western philosophy
Analysis of Schopenhauer's views on the role of reason
The path of Aristotle’s influence on Western philosophy