Ministry of Ideas

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Latest Episodes:

Dissecting Morality: Part II Jan 28, 2023

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Linking morality and science can conjure up disturbing histories around social Darwinism, eugenics, and genetically engineered humans. But scientists today are making discoveries that moral agents shouldn’t ignore: how to overcome aggression and tribalism, and how to sustain cooperation in a modern pluralist world.

Guests:

Diane Paul, professor emerita of the University of Massachusetts, Boston and research associate at the Harvard University Museum of Comparative Zoology.
Ben Allen, associate professor of mathematics at Emmanuel College.
Steven Pinker, professor of cognitive psychology at Harvard University and bestselling author of The Better Angels of Our Nature, The Language Instinct, The Blank Slate, and many others.

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Dissecting Morality: Part I Jan 27, 2023

Show notes

Guests:

Diane Paul, professor emerita of the University of Massachusetts, Boston and research associate at the Harvard University Museum of Comparative Zoology.
Ben Allen, associate professor of mathematics at Emmanuel College.
Steven Pinker, professor of cognitive psychology at Harvard University and bestselling author of The Better Angels of Our Nature, The Language Instinct, The Blank Slate, and many others.

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Virtually Violent Jan 26, 2023

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During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, vulnerable communities have been hit especially hard by disruptive online attacks. But calling these attacks "violent" could jeopardize the future of disruptive protests designed to protest those same communities.

Guests:

Erica Chenoweth, professor of human rights and international affairs at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and author of Civil Resistance: What Everyone Needs To Know.
Dr. Joan Donovan, research director of the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard University.
Oren Segal, vice president of the Anti-Defamation League's Center on Extremism.

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Welcome to Valhalla Jan 25, 2023

Show notes

Heathenry, a modern movement drawing on pre-Christian pagan religions, has become associated with the violent, racialized politics of the alt-right. Less well known is the fight to make heathenry — and the progressive values it can promote — inclusive and open to all.

Guests:

Robert Schreiwer, Heathen activist, founder of the Heathen tradition of Urglaawe, Manager of Huginn’s Heathen Hof and Heathens Against Hate, and Steer of the Troth (2016-2019 and again in 2020). Founder of In-Reach Prison Services.
Michael Strmiska, associate professor in global studies at SUNY-Orange and author of Modern Paganism in World Cultures.
Lauren Crow, co-host of the Heathen History podcast.
Ben Waggoner, co-host of the Heathen History podcast.
Thomas Engelmann, outreach specialist at Life After Hate’s ExitUSA.

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Stealing the Canon Jan 24, 2023

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Literary canons have come under fire for perpetuating privilege and exclusion. But some artists — including William Shakespeare and Hamilton’s Lin-Manuel Miranda — show us how canons can actually build community and democracy.

Guests:

Stephen Greenblatt, Cogan University Professor of the Humanities at Harvard University and editor of the Norton edition of Shakespeare’s works and the Norton Anthology of English Literature.
Oskar Eustis, artistic director of New York City’s Public Theatre.
John Ray Proctor, actor and drama professor at Tulane University.
Rory Loughnane, senior lecturer in Early Modern Studies at the University of Kent and associate editor of the New Oxford Shakespeare.

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Climate of Denial Jan 23, 2023

Show notes

Human-caused climate change is real and growing in impact. Yet many Americans see climate change as a belief that they can opt out of. Two belief structures are to blame: American Protestantism and postmodernism.

Guests:

Tanya Luhrmann, professor of anthropology and psychology at Stanford University and author of When God Talks Back.
Gary Aylesworth, professor emeritus of philosophy at Eastern Illinois University.
Lee McIntyre, Research Fellow at the Center for Philosophy and History of Science at Boston University and author of Post-Truth.

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Progressive Souls: Part II Jan 22, 2023

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Religious people have played an important role in progressive politics in the US for its entire history. Contemporary leftists should look to build bridges and include religious voices in the pursuit of a more just and sustainable society.

Guests:

Elizabeth Bruenig, Washington Post columnist
EJ Dionne, Washington Post columnist and Professor at Georgetown University
Dan McKanan, Professor at Harvard Divinity School

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Progressive Souls: Part I Jan 21, 2023

Show notes

Guests:

Elizabeth Bruenig, Washington Post columnist
EJ Dionne, Washington Post columnist and Professor at Georgetown University
Dan McKanan, Professor at Harvard Divinity School

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The Myth of Modernity Jan 20, 2023

Show notes

Many think modernity is about the rise of science, the spread of democracy and capitalism, or the decline of religion or superstition. But those stories ignore the bigger picture about colonialism and race.

Guests:

Mayra Rivera, professor of Religion and Latinx Studies at Harvard University.

Jared Hickman, professor of English at Johns Hopkins University. Author of the book, Black Prometheus: Race and Radicalism in the Age of Atlantic Slavery.

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Spiritual Machines Jan 19, 2023

Show notes

Ever since early scientists began experimenting with immortality elixirs in the middle ages, religion has been influencing transhumanism. Now, we’re beginning to see transhumanism influencing religion.

Guests

Calvin Mercer, Professor of Religious Studies at East Carolina University
Meghan O’Gieblyn, writer
Blaire Ostler, Director and Former President of the Mormon Transhumanist Association

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