In this episode, we look at the second half of Lewis's Out of the Silent Planet with specific focus on some of the greater mistakes of reasoning made by Ransom throughout the text--specifically, his inability to rectify in his mind the fact tha

Series 03, Episode 02: Remembering the Good Times

Oct 2nd, 2020 53m 2s

In this second episode of the series, we look at a bit more of Lewis's philosophy (with even still more Tolkien!) from his work, Mere Christianity, in particular on the necessity of free will and the problem of Evil. This is then taken to the t

Series 03, Episode 01: Lewis's Out of the Silent Planet and Aporia

Sep 28th, 2020 34m 44s

In this new series, I'll investigate the first of the science-fiction trilogy by C.S. Lewis, called Out of the Silent Planet--a good little exploration into metaphysical and linguistic themes through the mid-century modern lens of Christianity.

Series 02, Episode 06: This is America?

May 28th, 2020 44m 58s

In this episode, I look at poetry about "America" from a multiplicity of sources--the Romantics, the Beat Generation, the Harlem Renaissance, and recently produced music. Then, the commentary on American society is applied through a discussion

Series 01, Episode 06: Political Murder He Wrote

May 28th, 2020 27m 44s

In a short "Where are They Now?" segment, I return to wrap-up some important narratives, including Lucy and Walter, while also looking at the relationship of Elinor and Webley as it presents a pawn in the chess match against God being played al

Series 02, Episode 05: Experiencing the Art, Not Trying to Understand It

May 22nd, 2020 46m 4s

This episode focuses on the issue of defining art and its experience, introducing some of the thoughts and philosophies of Tom Wolfe in his Painted Word and John Dewey in his Art as Experience. Also included are some ideas shared by my current

Series 01, Episode 05: Idiots and Machines

May 21st, 2020 1h 10m

Hold onto your seats--this one is intense. I start with the famous rant by Rampion on page 300 of Point Counter Point, "Idiots and Machines" and connect to the various related philosophies and literary pieces alluded throughout the series, Eric

Series 02, Episode 04: Poetic Justice in an Unjust World

May 15th, 2020 42m 15s

In this episode, I introduce the theory of ethical criticism through some of my favorite contemporary thinkers in Wayne Booth and Martha Nussbaum. I then get at the heart of the major reveal that ends the first book of Morrison's Beloved, addre

Series 01, Episode 04: Spandrell--Not a Nihilist.

May 14th, 2020 58m 18s

In this episode, I deeply digest the characterization of probably Huxley's most complex character in Point Counter Point: Maurice Spandrell. Defending him against the unjust critics of the 60s and 70s, I argue against the Oedipus-complex Freudi

Series 02, Episode 03: Hopes and Existential Dreams

May 7th, 2020 44m 56s

In this third episode of the series, I look at chapters 9-14 of Morrison's Beloved, in conjunction with just some fantastic Harlem Renaissance poems, the dreams of Americans, and the problems with an existential view of freedom for those who ar

Series 01, Episode 03: A Hedonist and a Stoic Walk Into a Restaurant...

May 7th, 2020 56m 31s

Pushing ahead to chapters 12-16 of Huxley's Point Counter Point, this episode dissects the Hedonistic characters, the similars "solving similar" AND "dissimilar" problems within the realm of their hedonistic philosophical views, with the subtle

Series 02, Episode 02: Freeing and Enslaving Language in Morrison's Beloved

Apr 30th, 2020 37m 1s

In this second episode of the series, we continue to look at the dynamics of Toni Morrison's Beloved, specifically chapters 5-8. The episode focuses on the use of magical realism and the supernatural, and particularly the freeing and enslaving

Series 01, Episode 02: Spandrell, and the Immoral Maxim

Apr 30th, 2020 57m 33s

Continuing the series, this episode looks at the introduction of more points and counterpoints of characters in Spandrell and Rampion, as introduced within chapters 6-11, as well as the beginning of the Walter-Lucy saga. In this episode, I look

Series 02, Episode 01: On ‘Rememory,’ Auden’s ‘Unknown Citizen” In Beloved

Apr 23rd, 2020 38m 37s

I'll be running two series concurrently--while Series 01 looks at Huxley's Point Counter Point, series 02 will look at Toni Morrison's Beloved. In the first episode of this series, I introduce Toni Morrison's text through the eyes of W.H. Auden

Series 01, Episode 01: Huxley's Point Counter Point, Musicalization and Multiplicity

Apr 23rd, 2020 51m 53s

This episode serves, a bit, as an introduction to the philosophies and works of Aldous Huxley, and tracks some early influence of John Dewey through the first six chapters of his masterpiece, Point Counter Point. Resources for this episode can

Episode 00: 'Moon'-lighting the Cave

Apr 17th, 2020 20m 41s

Phil in the Details takes a look at the way philosophy sneakily infuses the art world, providing an enriching way to view human motivations and beliefs. Here I utilize a lot of the same strategies that make my high school classes come alive! T

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