Skip to content
Back to Modern Wisdom
Modern Wisdom artwork
Modern WisdomSep 30, 2019

#107 - Graeme Garrard - How To Think Politically

Summary, books mentioned, transcript quotes, and timestamps for #107 - Graeme Garrard - How To Think Politically on Modern Wisdom.

Notable books mentioned: Socrates by Paul Johnson, Machiavelli, John Locke, Karl Marx

Shop This Episode

Buy the books listeners heard in this conversation.

Socrates cover
Mentioned at 15:02
Socrates
Paul Johnson

The host discusses the historical intolerance faced by political thinkers, using Socrates as a key example of this phenomenon. The mention of Socra…

Machiavelli cover
Mentioned at 15:49
Machiavelli

The host mentions Machiavelli to illustrate a perspective on politics that emphasizes the struggle for power. They argue that while power is a key…

John Locke cover
Mentioned at 15:53
John Locke

The host discusses the historical context of political thinkers and their often harsh consequences for expressing controversial views. John Locke i…

Listen
Modern Wisdom artwork
Episode audio
#107 - Graeme Garrard - How To Think Politically
Modern Wisdom • Tap any mention timestamp to jump straight into playback.
Ready to play
0:00--:--
Episode summary, books & quotes

#107 - Graeme Garrard - How To Think Politically mentions Socrates by Paul Johnson, Machiavelli, John Locke, and Karl Marx with timestamps, quotes, and episode context.

Episode summary
Graeme Garrard is a Teacher at Cardiff University & Harvard Summer School and an author. Why do we need politics? And who are the individuals that have most shaped the world of political thought? Today we get to find out about some of the most influential thinkers in history from Marx to Plato, Nietzsche to Machiavelli and Plato to Locke. Extra Stuff: Buy How To Think Politically - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1472961781/ Follow Graeme on Twitter - https://twitter.com/GarrardGraeme Check out everything I recommend from books to products and help support the podcast at no extra cost to you by shopping through this link - https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/modernwisdom - Get in touch. Join the discussion with me and other like minded listeners in the episode comments on the MW YouTube Channel or message me... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ModernWisdomPodcast Email: https://www.chriswillx.com/contact
Book mentions10
Media mentions0
Search intent answers

Quick FAQ

Direct answers for the summary, books, and takeaways queries sending search traffic to this episode.

What is #107 - Graeme Garrard - How To Think Politically about?

Summary, books mentioned, transcript quotes, and timestamps for #107 - Graeme Garrard - How To Think Politically on Modern Wisdom.

What are the main takeaways from #107 - Graeme Garrard - How To Think Politically?

These are the strongest takeaways surfaced by the transcript, summary copy, and linked mentions for #107 - Graeme Garrard - How To Think Politically.

  • The conversation centers on Alain de Botton's insights.
  • A second recurring theme is breakdown of institutions.
  • Referenced books include Socrates by Paul Johnson and Machiavelli.
  • The strongest audience signal points to Individuals interested in political philosophy and history and Students of political theory and philosophy.

Which books are mentioned in #107 - Graeme Garrard - How To Think Politically?

Socrates by Paul Johnson, Machiavelli, and John Locke are the clearest linked books in this episode, each tied back to transcript timestamps and quote cards.

Why are listeners searching for #107 - Graeme Garrard - How To Think Politically?

#107 - Graeme Garrard - How To Think Politically keeps attracting summary-style searches because this page combines episode context, transcript quotes, book references, and direct jump links back into the audio.

Topic and sentiment signals

Aggregated from transcript-derived mention metadata for better topical navigation and citation.

Mention sentiment
Deep Dive(8)Critical Analysis(1)Highly Recommended(1)
Audience signals
Individuals interested in political philosophy and historyStudents of political theory and philosophyPhilosophy enthusiasts and studentsReaders interested in modern societal issues and existential philosophy.Individuals interested in modern philosophy and societal issues.Philosophy enthusiasts and those interested in existentialism

Books Mentioned

Socrates cover
Socrates
Paul Johnson
Best for Individuals interested in political philosophy and historyOften cited around political thinkers and history

The discussion references Socrates' execution for his political views and his philosophical contributions, highlighting the risks political thinkers have faced throughout history.

View mention details
Sentiment: Deep Dive
For: Individuals interested in political philosophy and history
Key quote: One of the themes in the book is the risks that political thinkers have taken through history in propounding their views, often controversial views.
The host discusses the historical intolerance faced by political thinkers, using Socrates as a key example of this phenomenon. The mention of Socrates serves to illustrate the risks associated with expressing controversial views throughout history.
ASIN: B0052REVCY
Buy on Amazon
Machiavelli cover
Best for Students of political theory and philosophyOften cited around power and politics

Machiavelli is mentioned in the context of political thinkers who suffered consequences for their views, specifically noting that he was tortured.

View mention details
Sentiment: Deep Dive
For: Students of political theory and philosophy
Key quote: You could call that view the Francis Urquhart view or the Frank Underwood view, the House of Cards view. Maybe the Machiavellian view that it's just a struggle for power.
The host mentions Machiavelli to illustrate a perspective on politics that emphasizes the struggle for power. They argue that while power is a key aspect of politics, it is not the only dimension, as concepts of justice and values also play a crucial role.
ASIN: 1954839278
Buy on Amazon
John Locke cover
Best for Individuals interested in political philosophy and historyOften cited around historical political tolerance

John Locke is referenced as a political thinker who faced exile for his views, contributing to the discussion on the intolerance of differing opinions in history.

View mention details
Sentiment: Deep Dive
For: Individuals interested in political philosophy and history
Key quote: they were forced into exile like John Locke.
The host discusses the historical context of political thinkers and their often harsh consequences for expressing controversial views. John Locke is mentioned as an example of a thinker who faced exile, highlighting the recurring theme of intolerance in political discourse throughout history.
ASIN: B0FTFMVPJC
Buy on Amazon
Karl Marx cover
Best for Individuals interested in political philosophy and historyOften cited around tolerance of opinion

Karl Marx is mentioned among political thinkers who faced consequences for their controversial views, illustrating the historical intolerance in the public sphere.

View mention details
Sentiment: Deep Dive
For: Individuals interested in political philosophy and history
Key quote: One of the themes in the book is the risks that political thinkers have taken through history in propounding their views, often controversial views.
The host discusses the historical context of political thinkers and their treatment for expressing controversial views, using Karl Marx as an example. This mention highlights the recurring theme of intolerance in political discourse throughout history.
ASIN: 0717802418
Buy on Amazon
Jean-Jacques Rousseau cover
Best for Individuals interested in political philosophy and historyOften cited around tolerance of political views

Rousseau is discussed as a significant figure in the context of political thought and is noted for his influence during the French Enlightenment.

View mention details
Sentiment: Deep Dive
For: Individuals interested in political philosophy and history
Key quote: One of the themes in the book is the risks that political thinkers have taken through history in propounding their views, often controversial views.
The host discusses the historical context of political thinkers and their often harsh consequences for expressing controversial views. They mention Rousseau as part of a broader narrative about the decline of tolerance in political discourse over time.
ASIN: 0618872027
Buy on Amazon
Plato cover
Best for Philosophy enthusiasts and studentsOften cited around Socrates and Plato's themes

Plato is mentioned as a key figure in philosophy whose writings cover a vast range of topics, and he is considered essential for understanding Socratic thought.

View mention details
Sentiment: Deep Dive
For: Philosophy enthusiasts and students
Key quote: Plato's making a point there and emphasizing this.
The host discusses the contrasting portrayals of Socrates and Alcibiades in Plato's writings, emphasizing the importance of inner beauty over outward appearances. This leads to a broader reflection on the themes of morality and virtue present in Plato's work.
ASIN: 1503379981
Buy on Amazon
Douglas Murray cover
Best for Readers interested in modern societal issues and existential philosophy.Often cited around breakdown of institutions

Talking about his new book, which is hilarious in a very hard hitting way.

View mention details
Sentiment: Deep Dive
For: Readers interested in modern societal issues and existential philosophy.
Key quote: one of the things that he brings up is exactly that the fact that this, the, um, breakdown of the previous institutions that gave us social cohesion, that made us work together, that, um, gave people a great sense of purpose.
The host mentions Douglas Murray's book to highlight the breakdown of previous institutions that provided social cohesion and purpose. This aligns with the broader discussion on the malaise of modernity and the existential challenges faced in contemporary society.
ASIN: B0DMTDRHMW
Buy on Amazon
Alain de Botton cover
Best for Individuals interested in modern philosophy and societal issues.Often cited around Alain de Botton's insights

Alain de Botton was talking about the crisis of a meritocracy and our disconnection from nature.

View mention details
Sentiment: Highly Recommended
For: Individuals interested in modern philosophy and societal issues.
Key quote: If anybody who is listening has the opportunity to go and see him live, unbelievably compelling public speaker, absolutely fantastic.
The host mentions Alain de Botton as a compelling speaker who addresses the crisis of modernity and the disconnect from nature. His ideas resonate with contemporary issues, making his work relevant for those seeking to understand the malaise of modern civilization.
ASIN: 0714872784
Buy on Amazon
Utilitarianism cover
Utilitarianism
John Stuart Mill
Best for Philosophy enthusiasts and those interested in existentialismOften cited around crisis of meritocracy

John Stuart Mill, who's also features in the book, um, uh, who was a utilitarian who believed that happiness was the purpose of life.

View mention details
Sentiment: Critical Analysis
For: Philosophy enthusiasts and those interested in existentialism
Key quote: Nietzsche was very contemptuous of, uh, um, well, of the English in general and of, um, uh, John Stuart Mill, who's also features in the book, um, uh, who was a utilitarian who believed that happiness was the purpose of life.
The host discusses how modern conveniences have shifted societal concerns from survival to existential questions, referencing Nietzsche's critique of utilitarianism. John Stuart Mill's belief that happiness is the purpose of life is contrasted with Nietzsche's view that such a perspective leads to mediocrity and a lack of struggle.
ASIN: 087220605X
Buy on Amazon
how to think politically cover
Best for Individuals interested in understanding political theory and historyOften cited around political discourse and history

The speaker reflects on their reading of 'how to think politically' and expresses a newfound respect and hope for politicians, suggesting that the book profiles thinkers involved in politics.

View mention details
Sentiment: Deep Dive
For: Individuals interested in understanding political theory and history
Key quote: So the listeners should be – In the mood for it, at least.
The host mentions the book 'How to Think Politically' as a way to explore the complexities of political thought and the historical context of political engagement. This discussion aims to help listeners understand the nuances of politics beyond mere opinions and identities.
ASIN: 1472961781
Buy on Amazon

Movies & Documentaries Mentioned

No movie or documentary mentions yet

This episode does not have extracted media mentions yet.