WRESTLING WITH THE DEAD
by Stefan Molyneux
A series from philosopher Stefan Molyneux, Host of Freedomain.
https://www.freedomain.com/donate
Podcast episodes
Season 1
Wresting With the Dead: The Unexamined Life!
Chapters 0:00 The Inspiration Behind Wrestling with the Dead Series 0:35 The Rule and Its Consequences 0:57 The Judge on the Pillar 1:13 Observing the World's Descent into Chaos 1:54 Evil's Persistence Despite Philosophical Guidance 2:45 The Truth Behind "Crazy" Concepts 2:58 Embracing the Seemingly Crazy Truths 3:15 Philosophy's Failure in Protecting from Evil 3:58 Reevaluation of Rules Based on Consequences 4:41 The Questioning of Philosophy's Purpose 4:53 Revisiting Socrates' "Unexamined Life" Statement 5:04 Challenging the Value of Self-Examination 5:48 Examining the Lives of Powerful Figures 6:25 Questioning the Value of Self-Reflection 6:55 Examining Lives of Those in Authority 7:18 The Empirical Evidence of Self-Examination 8:20 Reconsidering the Value of Self-Examination 9:15 The Failure of Philosophers to Combat Evil 10:06 Philosophy's Role in Preventing Evil 10:55 Philosophy's Value in Moral Guidance 11:17 Philosophy's Alleged Role in Power Dynamics 12:07 The State's Influence on Philosophy 12:27 Wrestling with the Failure of Philosophy 13:34 Disempowerment through Doubt and Skepticism 14:20 The Paralyzing Effect of Doubt in Society 14:56 The Illusion of Secret Misery in the Powerful 15:22 The Love for Power and its Realities 15:47 Understanding Human Attraction to Power 16:34 Challenging Notions of Misery in Power 16:53 The Subjectivity of Self-Examination 17:43 The Legal System's Treatment of Socrates 18:05 The Lack of Answers in Moral Discourse 18:36 The Illusion of Misery in the Powerful 19:08 Examining Hitler's Unexamined Life 19:57 The Lack of Progress in Self-Examination 20:27 The Impact of Philosophical Pursuits on Society 21:01 Philosophy's Influence on Societal Development 22:02 Uncovering the Scam of Philosophy 22:34 Moral Certainty and Relativism 23:11 The Paralyzing Effect of Epistemological Doubt 24:04 The Impact of Doubt on Society's Defense Systems 24:41 Doubt's Influence on Public Discourse 25:31 The Delegation of Societal Control to the Decisive 26:15 Challenging Notions of Self-Examination Inspired by "No Country for Old Men," I explore the failures of philosophers in combating evil over millennia. I question the effectiveness of philosophical teachings in addressing societal evils and advocate for promoting virtue to combat malevolence. Critiquing the disconnect between philosophical ideals and real-world outcomes, I call for fostering accountability and critical thinking to resist oppressive systems. By challenging the assumption that philosophical teachings inherently lead to moral enlightenment, I emphasize the need for a paradigm shift in ethical discourse to confront rampant corruption and moral decay.
Wresting With the Dead: KIDS IN CAGES
Chapters OIOO Essential Quotes for Understanding Authority and Obedience 1:15 Nietzsche's Insight on Self-Control and Authority 1:59 Multicultural Upbringing and Views on Childhood 24:55 The Battle Against Childhood Rebellion 28:51 The Value of a Piece of Paper 32:23 The Perception of Children as Chaotic and Dangerous 37:32 Commanding Children to Prevent Self-Control Development 41 :33 Society's Pretense of Answers and Use of Power Long Summary In the conversation, we delve into two significant quotes by David Hume and Friedrich Nietzsche that shed light on governance and self-control. Hume highlights the reliance of rulers on the opinion of the governed due to the inherent power of the masses. On the other hand, Nietzsche's quote emphasizes the idea that whatever cannot control itself is subjected to external commands. This notion resonates with the concept that lack of self-control leads to external imposition. Reflecting on my upbringing in various countries like England, Ireland, Africa, and Canada, I recall a common thread of suspicion surrounding the perception of children. Children were often viewed as wild and unruly, in need of constant control and discipline. This societal approach instilled in me an understanding of how children are often seen as disruptive and in need of taming. The discussion progresses into the treatment of children in different cultural contexts, highlighting the pervasive skepticism and lack of respect towards children. The societal fear of children stems from a belief that without strict control and authority, chaos would ensue. This mentality perpetuates a cycle where children are conditioned to perceive themselves as inherently flawed and in need of external governance. The conversation touches upon the education system‘s role in enforcing conformity and stifling curiosity. Children are often discouraged from questioning the status quo or challenging authority, leading to a lack of critical thinking and individual agency. The narrative shifts to personal experiences of rebellion and resistance against stringent rules and regulations imposed on children, showing how attempts at autonomy are often met with punishment and suppression. Drawing parallels between societal structures and individual behaviors, the conversation delves into the dynamics of power and control. The speaker reflects on the impact of authoritarianism on shaping individuals‘ obedience and compliance. The conversation underscores the detrimental effects of oppressive systems that prioritize conformity over personal growth and critical thinking. In conclusion, the conversation emphasizes the importance of fostering a culture that encourages individuality, autonomy, and critical inquiry. By challenging authoritarian norms and promoting self-control, society can move towards a more equitable and free environment where individuals are empowered to question and think for themselves.
Wresting With the Dead: HAPPINESS
Transcript - https://freedomain.com/wresting-with-the-dead-happiness/ Chapters 0:00:00 Wrestling with Philosophy: Jeremy Bentham's Greatest Happiness Principle 0:12:08 The Power of Moral Judgment: Slave vs. Master Hypocrisy 0:22:35 Healing Moral Wounds: The Role of Moral Judgment 0:30:52 Parenting for Happiness: The Importance of Moral Consistency 0:34:02 The Illusion of Happiness: Society's Role vs. Moral Judgment Brief Summary In this engaging discussion, I explore the complexities of philosophy's role in understanding change and uncertainty, referencing Heraclitus' timeless wisdom. I challenge the perceived opacity of philosophical concepts compared to children's intuitive grasp of truth and morality. Emphasizing the importance of philosophy in providing objective ethics for decision-making, I discuss the need for consistency and integrity in moral reasoning. Through personal anecdotes, I illustrate children's straightforward moral logic. I advocate for a return to foundational truths in philosophy to ensure moral clarity and societal harmony.
WRESTLING WITH THE DEAD - Heraclitus! It's the Same F#$cking River!
Transcript - https://freedomain.com/wresting-with-the-dead-heraclitus-its-the-same-fcking-river-transcript/ Chapters 0:00:00 Introduction: The State of Philosophy 0:02:10 The Certainty of Three-Year-Olds 0:03:52 Philosophy: Denying Basic Understanding 0:05:19 Philosophy in Academia: A Skeevy Reality 0:08:04 Children’s Understanding vs. Philosophers’ Confusion 0:08:58 The Ever-Changing Nature of Existence 0:13:19 The Certainty of Children vs. Philosophical Doubt 0:17:44 Change and Identity: The Same, But Different 0:20:01 Philosophers’ Lack of Certainty: A Problem 0:21:09 The Imposition of Subjectivity in Philosophy 0:24:49 The Essence of Identity: Changing Yet Same 0:27:40 Children’s Understanding of Ethics and Morality 0:29:43 Imposing Moral Absolutes vs. Relativism 0:32:50 Doubt and Certainty: The Power Imbalance 0:34:55 Integrity vs. Philosophical Confusion Brief Summary In this engaging discussion, I explore the complexities of philosophy's role in understanding change and uncertainty, referencing Heraclitus' timeless wisdom. I challenge the perceived opacity of philosophical concepts compared to children's intuitive grasp of truth and morality. Emphasizing the importance of philosophy in providing objective ethics for decision-making, I discuss the need for consistency and integrity in moral reasoning. Through personal anecdotes, I illustrate children's straightforward moral logic. I advocate for a return to foundational truths in philosophy to ensure moral clarity and societal harmony.
WRESTLING WITH THE DEAD - IS WISDOM SORROW?
Transcript - https://freedomain.com/wrestling-with-the-dead-is-wisdom-sorrow-transcript/ Chapters 0:00:00 Knowledge is Power 0:13:19 The Pretense of Moral Knowledge 0:24:54 Fraud Combined with Threat 0:26:24 Patiently Making the Arguments Brief Summary In this lecture, we discussed Francis Bacon's view on knowledge as power and its complexity. We explored how false moral knowledge leads to violence by authorities to maintain control. The speaker highlighted aggressive responses to questioning moral authority and the historical use of moral pretense for power. The impact of moral reform movements during crises was examined, emphasizing the importance of patience and perseverance in advocating for change in societal moral norms.