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Good in Theory is a podcast about political philosophy and how it can help us understand the world today. Want to know what's in Plato's Republic or Hobbes's Leviathan but don't want to read them? This is your pod. I explain my favourite books in political theory in enough detail that you’ll feel like you read them yourself. Deep but not heavy. No experience needed.Themes and summary (AI-generated based on podcaster-provided show and episode descriptions):
➤ political philosophy primers • Plato’s Republic and Apology • ancient Greek democracy, Sparta, polis • justice, education, rhetoric, free speech • liberal democracy critiques • inequality, work power, meritocracy • war ethics, drones • tech shaping desire • utilitarianism and moral psychologyThis podcast uses political philosophy and the history of ideas to explain how classic texts and influential arguments illuminate contemporary politics and moral life. It often works as a guided reading of major works—especially Plato—walking listeners through key passages, characters, and puzzles while drawing connections to topics like justice, education, censorship, propaganda, and the relationship between philosophical inquiry and political conflict.
Across the episodes, the show moves between ancient political worlds and modern institutions. There is recurring attention to democracy and its alternatives, including the strengths and tensions of Athenian self-rule, critiques of liberal democracy, and accounts of how regimes shape citizens’ character and desires. The podcast also examines modern political narratives and frameworks in international affairs, including debates about post–Cold War triumphalism, cultural conflict, and the ethics of warfare—particularly efforts to make war appear “clean” through technology and targeted force.
Another common thread is moral psychology: how people form judgments, how thought experiments test liberal intuitions about harm and wrongdoing, and what it means to live morally demanding lives. The show frequently addresses power outside the state as well, such as the authority employers exercise over workers and the way technology platforms may influence preferences, intimacy, and everyday behavior. Interviews and crossovers with scholars and other podcasters add perspectives from contemporary philosophy, political science, and social criticism, while keeping the focus on clarifying ideas for listeners without specialized background.
| Episodes: |
46 - Athenian democracy and Plato w/ Graham Culbertson (Everyday Anarchism Podcast)2023-May-11 64 minutes |
45 - Humane War feat. Samuel Moyn2022-Sep-05 65 minutes |
44 - Samuel Huntington "The Clash of Civilizations?"2022-Aug-17 36 minutes |
43 - Tyranny at Work feat. Elizabeth Anderson2022-Jun-06 54 minutes |
42 - The New Aristocracy feat. Matthew Stewart2022-May-02 54 minutes |
41 - Love in the Time of Big Data feat. Alfie Bown2022-Apr-18 58 minutes |
40 - Is Liberal Democracy the Best We Can Do? feat. The Morality of Everyday Things2022-Feb-08 74 minutes |
39 - The Glorious History and Ugly Present of Rhetoric feat. Rob Goodman2022-Jan-24 73 minutes |
38 - GiT Holiday Special with Sep2021-Dec-26 39 minutes |
37 - Thought Lab 4: The Psychology of Horror2021-Oct-28 36 minutes |
36 - Moral Saints 2: Why Be a Saint?2021-Oct-12 33 minutes |
35 - Susan Wolf, “Moral Saints”2021-Sep-28 26 minutes |
34 - The Esoteric Plato feat. Earl Fontainelle2021-Sep-13 88 minutes |
33 - The End of the End of History feat. Philip Cunliffe and George Hoare2021-Aug-30 65 minutes |
32 - Fukuyama’s “The End of History?”2021-Aug-17 27 minutes |
31 - Thought Lab 3: Utilitarianism & the Great Spreadsheet2021-Aug-02 47 minutes |
30 - Plato's Republic 13: Choose Yourself2021-Jul-19 33 minutes |
29 - Plato's Republic 12: Poetic Sweet Tooth2021-Jul-05 45 minutes |
28 - Plato's Republic 11: A Tyrant's Life2021-Jun-19 36 minutes |
27 - Plato's Republic 10: Degenerate Cities, Degenerate Souls2021-Jun-07 49 minutes |
26 - Plato's Republic 9: Horny for the Good2021-May-14 55 minutes |
25 - Thought Lab 2: Tainted Art and Moral Luck2021-Apr-19 54 minutes |
24 - Plato's Republic 8: The Philosopher Kings2021-Mar-29 43 minutes |
23 - Plato’s Republic 7: Socratic Family Values2021-Mar-16 33 minutes |
22 - Thought Lab 1: The Dead Chicken Experiment2021-Mar-01 44 minutes |
21 - GiT Valentine's Day Special: Rousseau and Romance Past2021-Feb-15 62 minutes |
20 - Do Free Markets Make Free Humans? Interview with Jeffrey Bercuson2021-Jan-18 76 minutes |
19 - Granny Gore to Girl Power: Naomi Hamer on the History of Fairy Tales2021-Jan-04 61 minutes |
18 - GiT Xmas movie special with Sep2020-Dec-21 49 minutes |
17 - Plato's Republic 6: How to be a Good Person2020-Dec-07 45 minutes |
16 - Plato's Republic 5: Lies, Noble Lies and Gymnastics2020-Nov-16 43 minutes |
15 - Interview: politics v. philosophy with Agnes Callard2020-Nov-02 42 minutes |
14 - Plato's Republic 4: Myths 4 KidZ2020-Oct-19 37 minutes |
13 - Plato’s Republic 3: City of Pigs, Army of Dogs2020-Oct-05 41 minutes |
12 - Interview: Paul Sagar, what's your problem with Plato?2020-Sep-21 19 minutes |
11 - Plato's Republic 2: Good to be Bad2020-Sep-21 34 minutes |
10 - Plato's Republic 1: Justice for Beginners2020-Sep-07 34 minutes |
9 - Athens: Ahoy Polloi!2020-Aug-11 53 minutes |
8 - Sparta: Killer Beehive2020-Jul-21 45 minutes |
7 - Interview: Rebecca Goldstein2020-Jul-13 62 minutes |
6 - The Polis: Freedom Farms, Phalanxes and Class War2020-Jul-06 32 minutes |
5 - Plato’s Apology 5: The Apology of Athens2020-Jun-22 37 minutes |
4 - Plato's Apology 4: Your Brain On Politics2020-Jun-08 51 minutes |
3 - Plato's Apology 3: Not-So-Dangerous Minds2020-May-25 33 minutes |
2 - Plato’s Apology 2: Free Speech Hero?2020-May-11 39 minutes |
1 - Plato's Apology 1: The Divine Troll2020-May-11 41 minutes |
Trailer2020-May-04 1 minute |