In this episode Dr Richard Miller, Dan Rowland and John Gibbs discuss how philosophy has grappled with the problem of defining history.

In this episode the Spinoza Triad, John Gibbs, Dr Richard Miller and Dan Rowlands, discuss how the internet and social media may have contributed to the philosophical debates surrounding authenticity. In Hamlet, Polonius advises Laertes 'to thine own self be true'. It its possible to be true to yourself and true to others on social media. Do we have a 'true self'?

Leave voice messages:

https://anchor.fm/john-gibbs1/message

Email: jfgibbs105@gmail.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Br1sGrA7XTU

https://www.facebook.com/groups/333603241740844/

This conversation delves into the representation of Gotham City as a text, exploring its origins, meanings, and the semiotic analysis of its imagery. Dan, Richard, and John discuss the historical context of the term 'Gotham', its connections to urban design, and the dualities present in its narrative, particularly through the lens of Batman. They examine the architectural symbolism of Gotham, the role of myths and archetypes, and how these elements reflect societal fears and cultural codes. This conversation delves into the semiotic analysis of Gotham and the character of Batman, exploring how narratives reflect and critique capitalism and ideology. The discussion highlights the evolution of Batman's character from a simplistic hero to a complex figure grappling with moral ambiguity and psychological struggles. We also examine the cultural significance of urban environments and the authenticity of narratives within them, ultimately connecting these themes to broader societal reflections and the role of pop culture in shaping our understanding of the world.

• Gotham's name originates from a folk tale about fools.
• Semiotics helps decode the meanings behind signs.
• The imagery of Gotham is dark and layered.
• Binaries of good and evil are central to Gotham's narrative.
• Myths and archetypes play a significant role in storytelling.
• Gotham reflects societal fears and corruption.
• The architecture of Gotham symbolizes its dual nature.
• Light and dark imagery are crucial in Gotham's representation.
• Cultural codes shape our understanding of symbols.
• Gothic elements in Gotham connect to historical narratives. Roland Barthes' levels of signification help us understand meaning.
• Gotham's narrative naturalizes capitalism through Batman's wealth.
• The ideological critique of capitalism is often masked in narratives.
• Batman evolves from a simplistic hero to a morally ambiguous figure.
• Cultural reflections in media reveal societal anxieties and psychopathy.
• Authenticity in urban narratives is tied to historical context.
• Semiotics allows us to decode the meanings behind cultural symbols.
• Pop culture serves as a mirror reflecting contemporary issues.
• Understanding the language of semiotics enhances cultural analysis.
• Decoding the world can become an engaging intellectual pursuit.

In this episode we discuss Plato's theory of Forms and consider if it is helpful in understanding art and beauty today. The theory of Forms or theory of Ideas is a philosophical, concept, or world-view, that the physical world is not as real or true as timeless, absolute, unchangeable ideas of forms. How can this theory be useful in our post modern world? Do we still have any belief in universal truth? This is the basis of our discussion.

In this episode we set ourselves the task of trying to use the ethics of Aristotle, the Epicureans, Stoics and Cynics to understand how to live the good and virtuous life in a consumer society. The following conversation was  the unscripted result. If you wish to leave a voice message, comment, question, correction or contribution we would be delighted to respond or include in future episodes. Follow the link to  Anchor or alternatively send an email with  written comments.  

 https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/239466/1/cy3omfkxvcc55f32

anchor.fm/john-gibbs1/message

jfgibbs105@gmail.com

What does it mean to be me? Am I the same person at all times and will I be the same person in the future? In the Spinoza Triad, John Gibbs, Dr. Richard Miller, and Dan Rowland discuss the continuity of the self and Derek Parfit's famous 'Transporter Thought Experiment'.

In this episode of the Spinoza Triad  Richard Miller, Dan Rowland and John Gibbs consider Michel Foucault's concepts of power and discourse and wonder if they help to understand the Pandemic. Richard Miller supplies the steel guitar.

“The first task of the doctor is ... political: the struggle against disease must begin with a war against bad government." Man will be totally and definitively cured only if he is first liberated...”
"How can the free gaze that medicine, and, through it, the government, must turn upon the citizens be equipped and competent without being embroiled in the esotericism of knowledge and the rigidity of social privilege?" Michel Foucault The Birth of the Clinic

In this episode, Richard, Dan, and I discuss Nietzsche's famous thought experiment of eternal reoccurrence. Would you wish to live your life exactly as you have lived it, again and again for eternity? Would this be a curse or a blessing? 

In this episode the Spinoza Triad, John Gibbs, Dan Rowland and Dr Richard Miller reflect on the experience of podcasting in 2021 and the themes which have emerged in our discussions. We wonder about the power of data, the media and the quest for meaning. How can we celebrate the sacred and profound in a world of carnival? We conclude that the creative process of learning may be some kind of answer.

In this episode, Richard introduces the Spinoza Triad to Mark Fisher's ideas and Capitalist Realism's ideas. Our discussion focuses on his and our experiences in education. We consider the state of British society, and the all-pervasive nature of capitalism and wonder if it is possible to imagine a different kind of world or would this be harder than imagining the end of the world.

In this episode, Richard (Dr. Richard Miller) and I consider the appeal of the literature, films, and podcasts which focus on Psychopaths. We wonder what this might say about our world and if philosophy might help us to understand.  We share some ideas in a discussion covering many themes including popular culture, Kantian ethics, the nature of evil, and society.

In this episode of the Spinoza Triad John Gibbs, Dan Rowland and Dr Richard Miller discuss the concept of freedom and how it might be enhanced of diminished by digital technology and social media. With reference to Thomas Hobbs, Rousseau, Marshall McLuhan and Zizek the discussion considers the meaning of freedom today.

If you wish to suggest ideas for future podcasts, submit a recorded comment or be a guest on future episodes please use the links below. You can follow us on Facebook and on the Spinoza website. 

https://sites.google.com/view/wwwphilosophytodaynet/home

https://www.facebook.com/groups/333603241740844/

jfgibbs105@gmail.com

https://www.speakpipe.com/SpinozaFeedback

In this episode of The Spinoza Triad, Dr. Richard Miller, Dan Rowland, and John Gibbs discuss the philosophical underpinnings of Plato's dialogues, particularly focusing on the Socratic method, the art of rhetoric, and the moral implications of persuasion. The discussion explores how these themes relate to modern education, the concept of virtue, and the challenges posed by cancel culture in contemporary debates. We reflect on the nature of the good life and the responsibilities that come with the power of persuasion, ultimately questioning how society defines and pursues virtue today. We discuss the philosophical themes of pleasure, happiness, virtue, and power, drawing on the dialogues of Socrates and Calicles. We discuss the implications of pursuing pleasure, the nature of morality, and the role of power in politics, ultimately questioning the modern interpretations of virtue and the societal values prioritizing wealth and success over genuine fulfillment.

Learning, schools, education, teaching, music, philosophy, mixed martial arts. In this episode, I interview my fellow Spinoza host Dr. Richard Miller. We discuss his journey from struggling at school to becoming a doctor of philosophy. His love of blues guitar and his career as an MMA coach.

In this episode of the Spinoza Triad Dr Richard Miller, Dan Rowlands and John Gibbs consider the ideas of Edward Said and how these might be applied to the Olympics in their modern form. While acknowledging our admiration for the extraordinary achievements fort the athletes we took a critical view and tried to understand this vast global event form the point of view of post colonialism. Our discussion includes Foucault, Zizek and Lacan as well as the brilliant insight that is Edward Said's Orientalism. Leave recorded comments or emails with suggestions for future discussions. 

https://anchor.fm/john-gibbs1/message

https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/239466/1/cy3omfkxvcc55f32

In this episode of the Spinoza Triad, John Gibbs and Dr. Richard Miller discuss their reading of Soren Kierkegaard's book Either, Or. Dan Rowland was unable to join us for this episode. Richard supplied the music.

This is an introduction to the work and ideas of Mark Fisher which we discuss in more detail in our podcast- Capitalist Realism: Can we think beyond capitalism?

In this episode, the Spinoza Triad, Dr Richard Miller, John Gibbs, and Dan Rowland discuss the topic of fear. We start by reflecting on stoicism and later consider Satre, Hagel, Gramsci, Althusser, and Neil Postman.

David Chalmers, The hard problem of consciousness, can AI ever be conscious? Will AI replace us?

In this episode, Dan, Richard, and John discuss consciousness, intelligence, and AI. We discuss the Turing Test, the Chinese Room, and the future of AI.

In this conversation, The Spinoza Triad John Gibbs& Dr. Richard Miller discuss the film 'The Uglies' and its implications on contemporary culture, beauty standards, and the influence of technology on identity. The discussion delves into themes such as transhumanism, the motif of the frontier in storytelling, and the philosophical debates surrounding beauty and the sublime. They also examine the role of social media in shaping perceptions of beauty and the ethical dimensions of aesthetic experiences. Key ideas

• The Uglies reflect contemporary beauty standards and societal pressures.
• The motif of the frontier symbolizes the quest for freedom in storytelling.
• Transhumanism raises questions about identity and body modification.
• Technology increasingly shapes our self-perception and identity.
• Beauty is often subjective and culturally specific, not universal.
• Cultural capital influences perceptions of beauty across social classes.
• Historical standards of beauty have evolved significantly over time.
• Philosophical debates on beauty often contrast subjective and universal perspectives.
• Romanticism emphasizes the importance of the sublime in human experience.
• The ethical dimension of the sublime can lead to transformative experiences.

Why Do People Fight for Their Servitude as If It Were Their Salvation? Spinoza

In this episode of the Spinoza Triad John Gibbs, Dr Richard Miller and Dan Rowland are joined by Dougie Booth. Dougie is teaching at Kings College London and researching his PhD in Politics. We discuss the republican conception of freedom and Dougie's research into the impact of the pandemic and  climate change on democracy. Is this going to result in lasting change and the creation of new economic and political structures? Is this the end of capitalism as we know it?

john.gibbs@virgin.net

In this episode, the Spinoza Triad, Dan Rowland, Dr. Richard Miller, and John Gibbs discuss Existentialism and some of the ideas of Jean-Paul Sartre. We explore how Existentialism emphasizes individual freedom and responsibility and how the anguish of existence is a central theme in Sartre's work. We conclude that while freedom can be both empowering and anxiety-inducing Existentialism offers insights into living in contemporary society. 00:00 Setting the Scene: Existentialism and Café Culture

02:28 Exploring Jean-Paul Sartre: Life and Influence

06:03 The Nature of Freedom: Positive and Negative

11:09 The Burden of Freedom: Anxiety and Authenticity

20:13 Existentialism in Popular Culture: Reflections and Parables

30:11 The Relevance of Sartre Today: Authenticity in Modern Life

In this conversation, John, Dan and Rich discuss the life and trial of Socrates. They explore Plato's representation of Socrates and the accusations he faced, including corrupting youth and introducing alternative gods. They also touch on Socrates' belief in the existence of a personal spirit guide and his views on the nature of knowledge and truth. The conversation delves into the relevance of Socrates today, particularly to freedom of speech and the pursuit of an authentic life. They discuss the potential for Socrates to be canceled in the modern world and the importance of open dialogue and the examination of different viewpoints. The conversation explores the topics of cancel culture, freedom of speech, and the role of experts in society. It references the ideas of Socrates and John Stuart Mill to examine the complexities of these issues. The discussion touches on the importance of allowing diverse opinions and the potential harm caused by offensive or harmful speech. It also raises questions about who gets to decide what is acceptable speech and the role of context in determining harm. The conversation concludes with a reflection on the relationship between goodness and freedom of speech.

In this episode John  and Richard discuss a text which was referred to in an earlier podcast. 'De Rerum Natura'  -  'On the Nature of Things'. On of the most remarkable books ever written, On the Nature of Things' by the Roman author Lucretius was an influence on many of the greatest thinkers and artists in the last 2000 years. It was written in the first century BCE by a wealthy Roman as a means of explaining the philosophy of Epicurus to his fellow Romans and in poetic form it contains ideas which are startlingly modern and  as exciting to a modern reader as they were to his contemporaries. In this episode I explain my admiration for this book to Richard.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/333603241740844/

https://sites.google.com/view/wwwphilosophytodaynet/home

In this episode Richard and John discuss the first part of Friedrich Nietzsche's most poetic book, Thus Spake Zarathustra and as usual, we ask, what does it say to us today?

The conversation explores the central themes of Yanis Varoufakis' book 'Technofeudalism' and the impact of technology on capitalism. The discussion covers topics such as the shift in capitalism after the 2008 financial crisis, the role of behavior modification in the digital age, the control and manipulation of online identities, the rise of cloud capitalism, the clash between China and America in the tech industry, and the dissatisfaction and division caused by the algorithmic control of information. The conversation also touches on the potential for collective action against tech giants and the need for a reevaluation of our relationship with technology.

In the third episode of the Spinoza Triad John Gibbs, Richard Miller and Dan Rowland consider the film V for Vendetta. V for Vendetta is a 2005 dystopian political action film  based on the 1988 graphic novel by Alan Moore and David Lloyd. The film is set in an alternative future where a  neo-fascist totalitarian regime has subjugated the United Kingdom. It centres on V (portrayed by Hugo Weaving), a masked freedom fighter who attempts to ignite a revolution through elaborate terrorist acts, and Evey Hammond (portrayed by Natalie Portman) a young woman caught up in V's mission. 

Taking the film as a starting point we discuss, the morality of violence, the Frankfurt School, Kant's Categorical Imperative, Zizek's critique of the left as well as Jungian and Lacanian cultural analysis. 

https://anchor.fm/john-gibbs1/message

https://sites.google.com/site/thepoliticsteacherorg/home

email: jfgibbs105@gmail.com

In this episode of the Spinoza Triad, Dr Richard Miller, Dan Rowland and John Gibbs discuss Hegel’s theory of history, the end of history and the rise of China. Does China represent an alternative to western liberalism or a dead end? Will the progress of human history end and will it end well or badly? These are some of the questions discussed.

jfgibbs105@gmail.com

https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/239466/1/cy3omfkxvcc55f32

In this episode Dr Richard Miller, Dan Rowland and John Gibbs wonder if the hit Netflix series Squid Game is more than a Marxist critique of capitalism. We discover there is more to it and enjoy discussing the series.

In this episode the Spinoza Triad, Dr. Richard Miller, Dan Rowland and John Gibbs, discuss the philosophy of truth and the post truth world. We discuss how philosophy might help us understand the rise of populi, social media, conspiracy theories and the privatisation of truth. We also discuss the possibilities of UFOs.

In this episode of the Spinoza Triad, John Gibbs, Richard Miller and Dan Rowland consider conspiracy theories using the ideas of Carl Jung. In an age of unparalleled levels of education why do so many people believe theories which are so obviously absurd? Is it possible the concepts of the collective unconscious, cultural symbolism and architypes developed by analytical psychologist Carl Jung might provide some explanation.  In this episode we explore how architypes of the hero, the trickster and the shadow might be relevant to a world of fake news, internet echo chambers and Donald Trump- which may every bit as dark, mysterious and frightening as the medieval landscapes of myth and daemons. 

https://anchor.fm/john-gibbs1/message

mrg@thepoliticsteacher.org

In this episode, Dr. Richard Miller and John Gibbs discuss the concept of evil, free will, and the possibility of world peace. If you could release a virus into the world which would make all humans peaceful- what would you do?