#107 - Graeme Garrard - How To Think Politically

Paul Johnson

One of the themes in the book is the risks that political thinkers have taken through history in propounding their views, often controversial views.

So the listeners should be – In the mood for it, at least.

If anybody who is listening has the opportunity to go and see him live, unbelievably compelling public speaker, absolutely fantastic.

Guest: Graeme Garrard

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

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Paul Johnson

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

The host mentions the book 'How to Think Politically' as a way to explore the complexities of political thought and t…

The host mentions Alain de Botton as a compelling speaker who addresses the crisis of modernity and the disconnect fr…

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

The host discusses the historical context of political thinkers and their often harsh consequences for expressing con…

John Locke

The host discusses the historical context of political thinkers and their often harsh consequences for expressing con…

Karl Marx

The host discusses the historical context of political thinkers and their treatment for expressing controversial view…

Plato

The host discusses the contrasting portrayals of Socrates and Alcibiades in Plato's writings, emphasizing the importa…

Machiavelli

The host mentions Machiavelli to illustrate a perspective on politics that emphasizes the struggle for power. They ar…

Alain de Botton's insights(1)breakdown of institutions(1)crisis of meritocracy(1)historical political tolerance(1)political discourse and history(1)political thinkers and history(1)power and politics(1)Socrates and Plato's themes(1)

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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 how to think politically.
The strongest audience signal points to Individuals interested in political philosophy and history and Individuals interested in understanding political theory and history.

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Deep Dive(8)Critical Analysis(1)Highly Recommended(1)

Audience signals

Individuals interested in political philosophy and historyIndividuals interested in understanding political theory and historyIndividuals interested in modern philosophy and societal issues.Philosophy enthusiasts and studentsStudents of political theory and philosophyReaders interested in modern societal issues and existential philosophy.

Books Mentioned

The full list below is ranked by how useful each mention is to a listener: stronger recommendation language, clearer quote context, and better timestamp support rise first.

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.”

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Sentiment: Deep Dive

Trigger: political thinkers and history

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.

Direct Amazon listing · affiliate link

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.”

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Sentiment: Deep Dive

Trigger: political discourse and history

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.

Direct Amazon listing · affiliate link

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.”

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Sentiment: Highly Recommended

Trigger: Alain de Botton's insights

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.

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Jean-Jacques Rousseau

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.”

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Sentiment: Deep Dive

Trigger: tolerance of political views

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.

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John Locke

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.”

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Sentiment: Deep Dive

Trigger: historical political tolerance

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.

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Karl Marx

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.”

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Sentiment: Deep Dive

Trigger: tolerance of opinion

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.

Direct Amazon listing · affiliate link

Plato

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.”

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Sentiment: Deep Dive

Trigger: Socrates and Plato's themes

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.

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Machiavelli

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.”

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Sentiment: Deep Dive

Trigger: power and politics

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.

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Douglas Murray

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.”

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Sentiment: Deep Dive

Trigger: breakdown of institutions

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.

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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

Trigger: crisis of meritocracy

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.

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Socrates

Modern Wisdom · 15:02

One of the themes in the book is the risks that political thinkers have taken through history in propounding their views, often controversial views.

how to think politically

Modern Wisdom · 48:51

So the listeners should be – In the mood for it, at least.

Alain de Botton

Modern Wisdom · 31:13

If anybody who is listening has the opportunity to go and see him live, unbelievably compelling public speaker, absolutely fantastic.

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Mentioned at 15:02

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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…

Direct Amazon listing · affiliate link

Mentioned at 48:51

Check price Jump to mention

The host mentions the book 'How to Think Politically' as a way to explore the complexities of political thought and the historical context of polit…

Direct Amazon listing · affiliate link

Mentioned at 31:13