Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Political Philosophy

The Maurin Academy hosted Dr. Hugo Drochon for a talk on "Elites and Democracy." The lecture originally took place on 8/15/2026. Drochon's argument touches on a handful of thinkers, including the original "elite theorists" Gaetano Mosca, Vilfredo Pareto, and Robert Michels, as well as theorists of democracy such as Joseph Schumpeter, Robert Dahl, and Raymond Aron. … More Exploring Elites and Democracy: Insights from Dr. Hugo Drochon

I interviewed Caleb Owens recently. His class starts this Wednesday, on the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus's Sermon on the Mount was perhaps the most important biblical inspiration for Dorothy Day, Leo Tolstoy, and others who developed Christian pacifism and direct action/mutual aid. … More Join Our Four-Part Series on the Sermon on the Mount, Starting Aug. 12

Political Philosophy discusses upcoming classes, lectures and how to support the Maurin Academy and join the discussion. … More Explore the Maurin Academy YouTube Channel & More

This is a segment from the third session of a class taught in the Summer of 2026 for the Maurin Academy on Creation, Food and Agriculture. … More Why We Lost Our Sense of Sacrifice (Creation, Food & Agriculture, Public Clip 3)

This is a segment from the second session of a class taught in the Summer of 2026 for the Maurin Academy on Creation, Food and Agriculture. You can join the Maurin Academy's Patreon and get access to this class and all our content recorded, or live and recorded. Get access through Patreon: https://patreon.com/maurinacademy … More How Technical Rationality Breaks Our Bond With Nature (Creation, Food & Agriculture, Public Clip 2)

This is a segment from the first session of a class taught in the Summer of 2026 for the Maurin Academy on Creation, Food and Agriculture. … More How Urbanization Caused a (Land) Fertility Crisis Affecting Us All (CFA Public Segment 1)

https://leostrausscenter.uchicago.edu/audio-transcripts/courses-audio-transcripts/ Get in on everything we do: https://patreon.com/maurinacademy Find out more about our classes and see our schedule here: Political Philosophy Podcast: https://political-philosophy.com Dustbowl Diatribes and Political Philosophy are podcasts of the Maurin Academy, which can be found on almost all podcast platforms! Follow the Maurin Academy on Instagram for notifications about upcoming events, and … More Leo Strauss on Maimonides and Esoteric Writing

In her public podcast, which you can also find on pretty much all podcast platforms, Laurie has been reading and discussing Leo Strauss's book Persecution and the Art of Writing, and this is the last video on the chapter in the book by the same name. Next time, she'll discuss Strauss's next chapter, on Maimonides' esoteric writing. … More Historicism’s Deadly Effect on Thinking (Persecution and the Art of Writing, 4)

Get in on everything we do: https://patreon.com/maurinacademy … More Persecution and Horse Logic (Persecution and the Art of Writing, 3)

You can find out more about this class, coming Feb. 4, 2026, here: https://pmaurin.org/antimodern-progress-contradiction-or-christian-alternative/ … More Antimodern Progress: The Ideas of Jacques Maritain (Upcoming Class)

Get in on everything we do: https://patreon.com/maurinacademy … More Why Exoteric Writing? (Strauss, Persecution and the Art of Writing, 2)

This is the introductory lecture for a series on Persecution and the Art of Writing by Leo Strauss. … More Introduction to Persecution and the Art of Writing by Leo Strauss (New Series)

Dr John Fliter, author of U.S. vs. Darby Lumber Co.: The Triumph of Fair Labor Standards (University Press of Kansas, 2025), is our guest today. The interview covers the history of the struggle for fair labor standards in the US, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and the state of labor today. … More Fair Labor Standards in the United States: A Conversation With Constitutional Law Expert John Fliter

This is my talk from a recent visit to Milwaukee to view Maurin documents at Marquette University. It was part of a Catholic Worker roundtable with Lincoln Rice. It represents my initial thoughts on how Maurin's life, in some ways, is a microcosm of modern dislocation, not any extensive research on Maurin, which is ongoing. … More Dislocation as a Symptom of Modernity: The Case of Peter Maurin (Recent Talk)

Stephen Paff, host of Democracy Demythologized and author of the Ethnodata blog joined Laurie for a conversation about AI. This is a short segment of a longer conversation and discussion with patrons of the Maurin Academy. … More What AI Means (And Doesn’t Mean) for Our World, with Stephen Paff (Excerpt)

Pastor Caleb Campbell, Desert Springs Bible Church, has published a new book, Disarming Leviathan: Loving Your Christian Nationalist Neighbor, with Blackstone Publishing. It is available in paperback, Kindle and Audible editions. https://www.amazon.com/Disarming-Leviathan-Christian-Nationalist-Neighbor/dp/B0DB2NV6F7 … More Pastor Caleb Campbell: Disarming Leviathan

We finish up the discussion of Jerzy Kosinski's novel Being There with "Chauncey Gardiner" being launched into the stratosphere of American power while being an acknowledged complete unknown on both sides of the Cold War. What does this satirical novel have to say about our lack of common sense? … More The Usefulness of Common Sense in the Age of Digital Deception (Being There 6)

On the Maurin Academy's Political Philosophy podcast, Laurie is covering Jerzy Kosinski's Being There, a satirical novel about an image and wealth-obsessed American society bent on the mass narcissism of literally loving a politician. This is part 5 in the series. … More The Vulnerabilities of Democracy in the Age of Image

We continue with our discussion of Jerzy Kosinski's novel, Being There, at the point where "Chauncey Gardiner," mistaken for a wealthy and handsome businessman, meets the President of the United States and the American press--and a desperate heiress. … More Romantic Democracy: The Blind Following the Blind. (Kosinski’s Being There, 4)

We continue with our discussion of Jerzy Kosinski's novel, Being There, at the point where "Chauncey Gardiner" meets EE by accident and gets mistaken for a wealthy and handsome businessman. … More An Empty Signifier Makes an Ideal Lover (Being There, Part 3)

Jerzy Kosinski's "Being There" satirizes American democracy and the influence of electronic media on society. The video reviews the novel's initial chapters, which inspired a film featuring Peter Sellers and Shirley MacLaine. Additional resources include the Maurin Academy's podcasts and social media for updates on classes and events. … More Victim or Boss? Depends on Your Perspective (Being There, Part 2)

We begin a new series inspired by Jerzy Kosinski's classic novel, Being There (1971). Being There is a satirical and allegorical tale about the adventures of Chance, a simple gardener who has previously lived a sheltered life saturated with television as his main source of human contact. Chance is thrown into the media spotlight by accident, propelling him to the top echelons of American politics, as people read wisdom into everything he says. … More From Gardener to Politician: The Impact of Media in ‘Being There’ (1)

This is a segment of an hour long lecture followed by a Q & A session for patrons of the Maurin Academy. To get the entire course and all the courses, reading groups and our lecture series, support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/maurinacademy … More Thomas Aquinas’s Natural Law Theory: Brief Explanation (Aristotle’s Virtue Ethics Public Segment #4)

This is a segment of an hour long lecture followed by a Q & A session for patrons of the Maurin Academy. To get the entire course and all the courses, reading groups and our lecture series, support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/maurinacademy … More The Quality of Friendships: Does it Matter for Politics? Aristotle’s Virtue Ethics Public Segment #3

This is a segment of an hour long lecture followed by a Q & A session for patrons of the Maurin Academy. To get the entire course and all the courses, reading groups and our lecture series, support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/maurinacademy … More Introduction to Aristotle’s Virtue Ethics, Public Segment #2: The Mean Between Extremes

Starting June 19, the Maurin Academy will host a class by Deacon Chris May on Ivan Illich. Here Deacon May discusses who Illich was and why we should know more about him. … More Introduction to Ivan Illich: A New Maurin Academy Class Starting June 17

We finish up Federalist 51 and end the series on Federalist 10 and 51, the basics of American Political Thought. … More The Relationship Between Freedom and Justice (Federalist 51, Part 3)

In Federalist 51, the author asserts that the legislative branch is always the strongest branch in a republic. Why, and is this true? The founders wanted a government that helped people enjoy their liberty, but has the definition of liberty changed? … More American Liberty: How Is It Secured? (Federalist 51 Part 2)

The American founders were concerned about one branch of government becoming too powerful and trampling on the freedoms of Americans by suppressing the other branches' freedom. Here Madison or Hamilton (which one is not clear) discusses how the new constitution tries to reduce the chances of this happening through separation of powers and checks and balances. … More Are Checks and Balances Necessary in the US Constitution? (Federalist 51, Part 1)

James Madison tried hard to faction-proof the US Constitution, but he did not anticipate the effects of instant media and the massification of modern populations. … More Madison Would Be Surprised — and Disappointed (Federalist 10, Part 4)

Madison devoted the majority of Federalist paper #10 to the dangers of a violent majority faction and corrupt demagogues. In this part of the paper, we see Madison hoping that a large republic will prevent such a faction from existing, or if it exists, will blunt its ability to tyrannize over the rest of the citizens. … More Did Madison Foresee the Demise of Democracy? (Federalist 10, Part 3)

Laurie continues her series of Federalist 10 and 51. This is the second video on Federalist 10, heading into how to handle the effects of a violent faction of the majority. … More James Madison Warns Against Violent Majority Factions & Demagogues (Federalist 10, Part 2)

You can find out more about this reading group and the ways to join here: https://pmaurin.org/reading-dialectic-of-enlightenment-with-jakob-hanschu/ Support us on Patreon at any level and get in on Jakob's reading group and more: https://patreon.com/maurinacademy … More New Dialectic of Enlightenment Reading Group Starting March 19, 2025

Laurie begins a short series on Federalist 10 and 51, untangling the antiquated language of these important writings by the American founders having to do with important constitutional principles such as the separation of powers and checks and balances. She starts with Federalist 10 and the question of how to stop violent factions from overtaking a liberal democracy. … More Federalist 10 Deciphered: Madison on the Dangers of Factions and the Separation of Powers (Part 1)

Laurie discusses Plato's view of democracy--its strengths and weaknesses, particularly its vulnerability to demagogues--and what he thought about other types of regimes. Pardon the reverberation on this recording! … More What Did Plato Say About Democracy and Demagogues?

You're lucky Laurie isn't ending that sentence the way Kendrick does. Get Laurie's book, The Gap in God's Country in hardcover, paperback and kindle/e-edition. Kindle: https://a.co/d/9m0zrg8 … More HUMBLE IS What We Need – Sit Down!

Laurie discusses some plans for guest speakers, her new Great Books reading group, and plans for the channel. … More Coming Up: The Maurin Academy Speaker Series and Beyond

Dr. Laurie M. Johnson discussing themes from her new book, subtitled A Longer View On Our Culture Wars, focusing on solving political disputes. This session dealt with direct action vs. the charity model. Get the book: https://a.co/d/9sJwfDe Kindle: https://a.co/d/9m0zrg8 … More Direct Action vs. Liberal Charity (Gap in God’s Country Segment from Session5 )

Spencer and Laurie talk with Benjamin Studebaker about his new book, Legitimacy in Liberal Democracies. Studebaker will give a speech for the Maurin Academy March 3, 2025. Maurin Academy Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/maurinacademy … More Gazing Into the Abyss of Deep Pluralism (w/ Benjamin Studebaker) Dustbowl Diatribes SO 3, Ep. 27

These are segments of the fourth session in Dr. Laurie M Johnson's 5-part series on her new book, The Gap in God's Country: A Longer View on Our Culture Wars (Wipf & Stock, 2024). Dr. Laurie M. Johnson discussing themes from her new book, subtitled A Longer View On Our Culture Wars, focusing on solving political disputes. You can see all five full sessions of this series, and a lot more, by joining the Maurin Academy on Patreon. … More Narcissistic Leaders in Church and State–Segments from Session 4 of The Gap in God’s Country series

Dr. Laurie M. Johnson discussing themes from her new book, subtitled A Longer View On Our Culture Wars, focusing on solving political disputes. You can join in live for the following sessions by registering on Eventbrite or joining us on Patreon. … More The Gap in God’s Country: Segments From Session 3

Starting January 2, Laurie Johnson will be holding first Thursday monthly sessions in a new reading group. The first book covered (over three monthly sessions) will be Carl Jung's The Undiscovered Self. Discussion can continue on the Maurin Academy Slack Great Books channel. Reading is optional as Dr Johnson will be discuss the selection at the beginning of each session, but it is encouraged! To sign up for the Great Books Reading Group (either of our levels will get you into the live sessions and the recordings for this group): https://www.patreon.com/maurinacademy … More Explore Carl Jung’s The Undiscovered Self in Monthly Sessions!

Dr. Laurie M. Johnson discussing themes from her new book, subtitled A Longer View On Our Culture Wars, focusing on solving political disputes. You can join in live for the following sessions by registering on Eventbrite or joining us on Patreon. … More The Gap in God’s Country: Segments From Session 2

Dr. Laurie M. Johnson discussing themes from her new book, subtitled A Longer View On Our Culture Wars, focusing on solving political disputes. You can join in live for the following sessions by registering on Eventbrite or joining us on Patreon. … More The Gap in God’s Country – Segments from Session 1

For more information about this book and where to buy it, as well as information about a series of talks I'll give on themes from the book, check out: https://pmaurin.org/2024/11/02/the-gap-in-gods-country-themes-discussion-with-laurie-johnson-coming-up/ … More Starting Monday Nov. 18: Gap in God’s Country Sessions–Sign up on Eventbrite or Patreon

In the context of wrapping up JD Vance's Hillbilly Elegy book club, Laurie talks about how she reads books without getting angry, even if she's not too happy with the authors. … More Hillbilly Elegy Bookclub Finale: How to Read Books Without Getting Angry

Prof. Martin Chung (Hong Kong Baptist University/Center for the Study of Ethnic Conflict, Queens University Belfast) gave a lecture to the Maurin Academy introducing us to Catholic Social Teaching on economic life and the international community. … More Prof. Martin Chung on “Catholic Social Teaching on Economic Life and the International Community.”

Laurie Johnson talks about her new book, published by Wipf & Stock, Cascade Books, and about her upcoming live sessions discussing themes from the book. Synopsis of the book: https://pmaurin.org/2024/10/23/published-the-gap-in-gods-country-a-longer-view-on-our-culture-wars/ … More Published and for sale: The Gap in God’s Country: A Longer View On Our Culture Wars

Jordan Daniel Wood's book is The Whole Mystery of Christ: Creation as Incarnation in Maximus the Confessor: https://undpress.nd.edu/9780268203474/the-whole-mystery-of-christ/ To get involved with our reading group join the Maurin Academy at any level on our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/maurinacademy … More Incarnation and the Environment, with Author Jordan Daniel Wood

Direct link to DePaul University Political Scientist Dr. David Lay William's book and e-book, The Greatest of All Plagues: How Economic Inequality Shaped Political Thought from Plato to Marx: https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691171975/the-greatest-of-all-plagues?srsltid=AfmBOoouC6GyFyOl3Elvzagqym3OgW-ohnU_ydH4vwXy6E0Nz3OpVb34 … More The Greatest of All Plagues: Economic Inequality From Plato to Marx: Interview w/ David Lay Williams