Below is an unedited transcription of this previously released podcast. Audio links: Topics and times: Transcription: The drama of The Will to Power This episode is inspired by my re-reading of Nietzsche’s The Will to Power. I’m reading the most recent translation, made by Professor R. Kevin Hill and published by Penguin in 2017. It […]
Nietzsche’s Sister and *The Will to Power* [Open College transcript] Read More »
Lecture 2. The Essential Questions In lecture two, we look at fundamental metaphysical questions, beginning with the Ship of Theseus paradox to examine identity and change, then covering core concepts like being, existence, identity, change, space, and time. We consider major positions on whether existence can be explained or simply affirmed, whether identity is intrinsic
A fascinating passage, reported by a young woman named Elizabeth Brentano,[1] who was a friend of Goethe and who met Beethoven in 1810. Here are Beethoven’s own words, according to Brentano: “When I open my eyes I must sigh, for what I see is contrary to my religion, and I must despise the world which
Beethoven on the metaphysics of music Read More »
Lecture 1. Origins of Reality In our introductory lecture, Dr. Hicks poses philosophical questions about the origin of reality by examining three competing narratives: the Big Bang theory, Hindu creation stories, and the Judeo-Christian Genesis account. We examine how they reflect differing metaphysical views—physicalism vs. spiritualism, monism vs. dualism, progress vs. regression—and contrasting approaches to
On the Origins of Reality [Lecture 1 of METAPHYSICS & EPISTEMOLOGY course] Read More »
A course by Stephen R.C. Hicks, Ph.D., Professor of Philosophy. Eight lectures on fundamental questions about reality, causality, space and time, knowledge, mind and body, and volition. We work through the big questions — and the debates over the best answers to them — guided by claims and insights from major philosophers including Plato, Aristotle,
METAPHYSICS & EPISTEMOLOGY — eight-lecture course syllabus Read More »
Source. Related: On the trial of the historical Socrates, in the Philosophers, Explained series.
Socratic and Sarcastic Methods contrasted Read More »
The philosophical nature of art, as illustrated by Dmitri Shostakovich’s comments on the purpose of his music, from his autobiographical Testimony.
MUSIC and SENSE of LIFE: SHOSTAKOVICH’S MUNDANE CYNICISM Read More »
One of the themes in my Philosophy of Politics courses (Part 1, Part 2) is the vast gulf between the Continental and Anglo-American traditions over the desirability of war and peace. Relevant to that discussion are these quotations from Nietzsche on war: Why war is necessary: “War essential. It is vain rhapsodizing and sentimentality to
Friedrich Nietzsche on the necessity of war Read More »