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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 classics explained • Plato’s Republic/Apology, ancient Greece democracy • justice, virtue, education, rhetoric • critiques of liberal democracy, meritocracy, work power • markets, utilitarian ethics • war, drones, global order, technology shaping desireThis podcast uses political philosophy and the history of ideas to interpret contemporary politics and social life. It often works through classic texts—especially Plato’s dialogues, with extended attention to the *Republic* and the *Apology*—to unpack recurring problems such as justice, political authority, education, propaganda, civic mythmaking, and the relationship between personal character (“the soul”) and political regimes. Ancient Greek cases like Athens and Sparta are used to explore democracy, freedom, militarism, slavery, and how institutions shape citizens.
Alongside close explanations of canonical works, the show connects political theory to modern debates about liberal democracy, meritocracy, inequality, and class. Discussions examine how elites reproduce themselves through education and neighborhoods, how workplace power can resemble forms of private government, and how moral and political ideals play out under capitalism and free markets.
The podcast also brings philosophical tools to questions of war and international order, including critiques of “humane” or “clean” warfare and influential theories about global conflict shaped by culture and civilization. A recurring theme is the tension between moral aspiration and ordinary life, approached through debates about utilitarianism, moral sainthood, and the role of emotions, luck, and taboo in moral judgment.
Interviews and crossovers with scholars and other podcasters add perspectives on rhetoric and public speech, free inquiry, desire and technology, and even the politics embedded in stories like fairy tales. The overall style aims to make difficult texts and arguments accessible without requiring prior 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 |