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Do you need help understanding the great books of philosophy? In his podcasts, Professor Laurence Houlgate reads and discusses the classic works of Plato, Thomas Hobbes, Rene Descartes, John Locke, Immanuel Kant, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, John Stuart Mill, and David Hume. His short readings are based on his acclaimed Smart Student's Guides to Philosophical Classics series (learn more at www.houlgatebooks.com). The episodes begin with the dialogues of Plato and will continue week by week through each chapter of Understanding Plato. For those who want to read along, a digital or print copy of the book can be purchased at Amazon.com at this address: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01I5GAIJIThemes and summary (AI-generated based on podcaster-provided show and episode descriptions):
➤ Plato's dialogues • Socratic philosophy • Justice and virtue • Allegories and analogies • Political philosophy • Theories of the soul • Moral and ethical discussion • Classical philosophical textsThis podcast, titled "Understanding Plato," is hosted by Professor Laurence Houlgate and delves into the classic works of Western philosophy. Designed to aid listeners in grasping the profound ideas presented by seminal philosophers, the podcast primarily focuses on detailed readings and discussions of Plato’s dialogues. The progression of episodes follows the flow of these dialogues, beginning with Socrates' inquiries into topics such as justice, virtue, and piety, emphasizing both the philosophical method and concepts. Socratic dialogue plays a central role in exploring these themes, often through rigorous debates and thought experiments that challenge the listener to consider philosophical questions from multiple angles.
Recurring topics include an examination of political philosophy, particularly in relation to justice and the ideal state, as presented in Plato’s "Republic." There is an exploration of the nature and structure of the soul, the hierarchy of government structures, and the philosophical justification of political authority. The podcast also presents themes such as the allegory of the cave and the theory of forms, illustrating how perception, reality, and knowledge are interconnected in Plato's philosophy.
Another constant theme is the defense of philosophical inquiry, often illustrated through conversations around Socrates’ trial and his perspective on morality and duty. The podcast seeks to illuminate the connections between the individual soul and the state, using analogies to show how moral and political theories translate to societal structures. Across episodes, professor Houlgate ties these concepts back to the overarching philosophical dialogues, guiding listeners through a voyage of understanding complex philosophical ideas as presented in Plato's works.