The two most influential political parties in the U.S. have an interesting history and varying viewpoints. In this episode, we explore a brief history of these dominant political parties and look at 25 differences between the positions they hold. As you’ll see, the main difference between the parties has more to do with a worldview and philosophy than it does public policy.

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0:00 Exploring America's Two-Party System with Zach Dangerous Lee

2:42 The Evolution of American Political Parties and Their Ideologies

8:01 Understanding Political Party Colors and Historical Context

10:51 Contrasting Progressive and Conservative Views on Truth and Society

13:04 The Polarization of Political Ideologies and Government Roles

19:01 Ideological Differences Between Left and Right on Key Issues

26:06 Constitutional Interpretation and Drug Legalization Debates

27:41 Political Ideologies and Their Impact on Society

31:30 Debate Over Taxing Vices Versus Personal Responsibility

32:24 Political Views on Human Nature and Social Acceptance

34:53 Ideological Divides in Economic Equality and Education Preferences

37:44 Balancing Individual Liberties and Political Ideologies in America

In this episode, we interview Benjamin Watkins - an author, speaker, podcaster, and host @RealAtheology . Ben walks us through his transition to atheism, gives some arguments in support of atheism, and exposes some philosophical problems with theistic systems. Regardless of your worldview, you will find this episode helpful and enlightening.

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0:00 Exploring Atheism and Philosophy with Benjamin Watkins

8:25 Defining Atheism: Beyond Lack of Belief to Rigorous Debate

14:31 Debunking Misconceptions About Atheism and Atheists

20:15 Exploring Atheism and Theism: Arguments and Philosophical Challenges

29:02 Debating Material Minds and the Spatial Location of Consciousness

32:27 Exploring Arguments for Atheism and Theism in Philosophical Debate

42:18 Experiencing a Total Solar Eclipse Is Awe-Inspiring and Terrifying

43:19 Exploring Hume's Argument From Design And Its Implications

47:26 Exploring Atheistic Ethics Through Rationality and Fairness

54:27 Faith and Rationality: A Philosophical Exploration

1:01:36 Essential Resources for Understanding Atheism and Its Philosophical Roots

Plato and Aristotle are, hands down, the most influential philosophers of all time. In this lecture we take a look at the life and teachings of Aristotle. Aristotle wrote on everything from metaphysics to biology to ethics to politics. What did he believe and why was his influence so overwhelmingly massive?

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0:00 Aristotle's Enormous Influence on Philosophy and Theology4:33 Aristotle's Life, Philosophy, and Controversial Beliefs7:19 Aristotle's Lasting Influence on Philosophy and Science12:06 Exploring Aristotle's Influence on Perception of Being14:41 Aristotle Versus Plato: Substance and Forms in Metaphysics16:40 Defining a Table and Identity Through Philosophical Inquiry18:34 Plato and Aristotle's Divergent Views on Forms and Reality20:07 Aristotle's Concept of Substance and Its Inconsistencies23:29 Aristotle's Virtue Ethics and the Pursuit of Human Excellence26:58 Aristotle's Golden Mean: Balancing Virtues Between Extremes28:33 Practicing Virtues and Skills Requires Effort and Persistence30:09 Aristotle's View on Politics and Human Flourishing31:13 Aristotle's Views on Slavery and Natural Inequality33:05 Aristotle's Political Philosophy and Critique of Democracy

Do you really get a cold by being cold? How long do you have to wait after eating before you can swim? Will you ever wake up during surgery? How does cancer spread? In this episode, we interview a physician to compare medical myths with medical reality.

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⁠⁠(00:00) Debunking Medical Myths with Dr. Daniel Sanders

(3:32) Debunking Myths About Cold Weather and Cold Remedies

(6:34) Debunking Myths About Tryptophan, Brain Usage, and Nervous System

(9:48) Debunking Myths About Swimming After Eating and Water Intake

(12:23) The Intersection of Eastern Medicine and Modern Therapeutic Practices

(14:07) Understanding Cancer Myths and the Importance of Early Detection

(18:44) Understanding Anesthesia Awareness and Its Potential Risks

(20:09) Advancements in Anesthesia Monitoring and Patient Safety

(22:25) Understanding Anesthesia Myths and Realities in Surgery

(27:28) Epidurals and Back Pain: Debunking the Myth

(28:40) The Evolution and Risks of Modern Surgical Techniques

(35:15) Debunking Myths: Natural Versus Synthetic Medicines

(37:55) Understanding Medication Stigma and Long-Term Use

(43:27) Understanding Medical Tests, Surgeries, and Patient Expectations

(50:25) Trust and Skepticism in Modern Medicine and Information Sources

(56:15) Building Trust with Doctors to Alleviate Medical Anxiety

Are actions inherently good or bad or do their consequences make them so? Does morality even exist or do things just happen? What makes something good or bad (and how can we know it if people have different religions and worldviews)? In this episode we examine different ethical systems and look at the pros and cons of each.

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(00:00) Start

(0:08) Exploring Complex Ethical Dilemmas Through Various Scenarios

(4:14) Exploring Ethical Systems and Their Limitations

(6:48) Exploring Divine Command Theory and Its Philosophical Challenges

(11:50) Kant's Universal Rational Ethics and the Categorical Imperative

(18:53) Kantian Ethics Versus Utilitarianism in Moral Dilemmas

(22:41) Exploring Utilitarianism's Pleasure-Pain Calculus and Ethical Dilemmas

(27:27) Aristotle's Virtue Ethics and Human Excellence

(30:20) Practicing Virtue Like a Skill for Personal Growth

(32:36) The Challenges and Ambiguities of Virtue Ethics

(36:02) Exploring Virtue, Selfishness, and Happiness in Ethics

Today we have smartphones, airplanes, robotic surgery, and electric lights. But what was it like to live during the Middle Ages? Was it really the “Dark Ages” or was there intellectual flourishing? What did you eat? When did you bathe? In this episode, we look at what the average person’s life would have been like in medieval Europe.

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(0:00) Exploring Philosophy: Definitions, Questions, and Argumentation

(4:57) Philosophy's Unique Role and Scope in Understanding Everything

(8:01) Philosophy's Role in Questioning and Understanding Different Fields

(12:02) Exploring Philosophy's Role in Science, Reality, and Knowledge

(15:21) Philosophical Questions on Identity, Justice, and Beauty

(17:44) The Practical Importance of Philosophy in Everyday Life

(19:45) The Evolution of Philosophical Thought Through History

(23:25) Exploring Philosophy Through Books and Influential Thinkers

(28:58) The Importance of Philosophy in Examining Life

Philosophy is the “love of wisdom” but what exactly does this mean? Philosophy is probably the broadest and most fundamental area of inquiry. In this episode we explain what philosophy is, what makes it unlike other subjects, and why it is so important. We also recommend some helpful books to begin your philosophical journey.

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(0:00) Exploring Philosophy: Definitions, Questions, and Argumentation

(4:57) Philosophy's Unique Role and Scope in Understanding Everything

(8:01) Philosophy's Role in Questioning and Understanding Different Fields

(12:02) Exploring Philosophy's Role in Science, Reality, and Knowledge

(15:21) Philosophical Questions on Identity, Justice, and Beauty

(17:44) The Practical Importance of Philosophy in Everyday Life

(19:45) The Evolution of Philosophical Thought Through History

(23:25) Exploring Philosophy Through Books and Influential Thinkers

(28:58) The Importance of Philosophy in Examining Life

A large voting block in the U.S. identifies as being religious (with the largest subset being Christian). In this episode, we interview a pastor to get his thoughts on what influence religion should have in the public sphere (if any). We discuss everything from the shift in the platforms of the two major parties, to the contentious election of Donald Trump, to so-called “Christian Nationalism,” to freedom of religion, and more.

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