The Ancient Philosophy Podcast

46. Justin Vlasits: Aristotle's Criticisms of Plato's Theory of Forms

In this episode, I speak with Justin Vlasits about Aristotle's criticisms of Plato's theory of Forms. We begin with a brief summary of Plato's theory of Forms for those w

45. Han Feizi and the Basics of Legalism

In this episode, I discuss the basics of legalism, from ancient China, with particular attention paid to the Han Feizi. I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of

44. Plato's Lecture on the Good

In this episode, I discuss Plato's famous lecture on the Good. Much of the discussion here is a reflection on Konrad Gaiser's article, "Plato's Enigmatic Lecture on the G

43. The Sisyphus Fragment

In this episode, I discuss the so-called Sisyphus fragment, which contains a rare bit of atheistic philosophy from the fifth century BCE. I am an Assistant Professor in

42. Did Aristotle Believe in the Wandering Womb?

In this episode, I discuss whether Aristotle believed in the wandering womb. The answer is 'yes, he did', but his view of the wandering womb is different from, say, Plato

41. Rachel O'Keefe: Plotinus on Beauty

In this episode, I speak with Rachel O'Keefe about Plotinus' thoughts on beauty. We focus on the arguments and ideas from Enneads I.6. Note: if you are looking for an int

40. Why Plato Thought that the Whole World Had a Soul

In this episode, I discuss Plato's view that the world had a soul.  I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy at Alma College. You can subscribe to Th

39. Aristotle on Human Nature

In this episode, I discuss Aristotle's view, developed in the Nicomachean Ethics, that human nature is neither good nor bad. I am an Assistant Professor in the Departmen

38. Plato's Theory of the Divided Soul

On July 19, 2026, I gave a free lecture on Substack. It was entitled “The divided soul: Plato’s theory that the soul has parts.” This podcast episode is an audio recordin

37. Heraclitus and the Unity of Opposites

In this episode, I discuss Heraclitus' doctrine that scholars call "the unity of opposites." I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy at Alma College.

36. Why Democritus Believed in the Void

In this episode, I discuss what Democritus thought the void was and why he thought that it existed. I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy at Alma C

35. Galen on the Parts of the Soul

In this episode, I discuss Galen's views on the parts of the soul: what are these parts, and how do they relate to the body? I am an Assistant Professor in the Departmen

34. Xunzi on Human Nature

In this episode, I discuss the arguments, given by Xunzi, an ancient Confucian philosopher, that human nature is evil. I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of P

33. The Future of Ancient Science

In this episode, I discuss and reflect on G.E.R. Lloyd's "Does Ancient Science Have a Future?" that was published in the Proceedings of the Cambridge Philological Society

32. Stylometry and the Chronology of Plato's Dialogues

In this episode, I discuss how scholars have used stylometry to date the composition of Plato's dialogues. I introduce and explain basic stylometric methods as well as th

31. Monte Johnson: The Reconstruction of Aristotle's Protrepticus

In this episode, I speak with Prof. Monte Johnson about the work that he has done in collaboration with Prof. Doug Hutchinson in reconstructing Aristotle's Protrepticus.

30. The Non-Mouthpiece View of Plato's Characters

In this episode, I discuss some considerations related to whether Plato's characters should be thought of as his mouthpieces. I focus on Debra Nails' essay, "Mouthpiece S

29. The Buddha's First Noble Truth

In this episode, I discuss the Buddha's first Noble Truth.  I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy at Alma College. You can subscribe to The Ancien

28. The Origins of Organs

In this episode, I discuss the origins of the concept of 'organ' in ancient Greek science and philosophy. I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy at

27. The Basics of Skepticism

In this episode, I discuss the basics of ancient skepticism as it was developed by Sextus Empiricus. I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy at Alma