Podcast
The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind
Hosted by Lobel Center for Jewish Classical Education · EN
Welcome to The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind, a podcast that tells the story of the prophets, philosophers, and poets who created the West.
In this podcast, Rabbi Dr. Mitchell Rocklin guides listeners through more than 3,000 years of Western history, offering a coherent, civilizational story of how the West came to be—along with a deepened understanding of the challenges it now faces. While many of the texts discussed will be familiar to students of the humanities, Rabbi Rocklin offers a new framework for understanding them—a framework in which the teachings of the Jewish religious tradition play a central role. For, as Rabbi Rocklin explains, Western civilization can only be understood as the product of a transformative and ongoing collision between the great traditions of Jerusalem and Athens—between the religious spirit of the Jews and the philosophical spirit of the Greeks.
35episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Politics, Essays, and Dictionaries: Edmund Burke and Samuel Johnson
1w ago00:40:16Tap to summarizeTwo of the most important figures in late eighteenth-century Britain were Edmund Burke and Samuel Johnson. As we learn about their points of agreement and contention, we'll touch on the following questions: Why was Burke in favor of reconciling with the American colonies, which was against popular opinion in England? In contrast to Burke, why did Johnson argue in favor of virtual representation for the American colonies? What was Burke's main argument against the French Revolution? Recommended Reading: Burke, Edmund. "Speech on Conciliation with the Colonies." 1775. Burke. Reflections on the Revolution in France. 1790. If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Pillars, we invite you to join the Tikvah Ideas Circle by clicking here.
Transcribe →Reinventing the Nation State: The Napoleonic Wars
2w ago00:36:34Tap to summarizeOne of the most celebrated military figures in recent history is Napoleon Bonaparte, yet he has something of a mixed legacy. To unpack that legacy, we'll explore the following questions: How did Napoleon, who conducted himself as an enlightened despot, also try to reanimate history? What was Napoleon's political goal in conquering Europe? How did the Jews relate to Napoleon and respond to his conquests? If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Pillars, we invite you to join the Tikvah Ideas Circle by clicking here.
Transcribe →From Absolute Monarchy to Democracy: A History of the French Revolution
3w ago00:32:45Tap to summarizeThe French Revolution was a series of cascading events that would upend the world of modern politics. On today's episode, we'll address the following questions: What led the Third Estate to insist that the Estates General meet as a national assembly rather than each estate on its own, as had been done previously? Why did the ideas of the Revolution disrupt the belief structures of the church of France? In what ways did the Revolution begin to push against organized religion? If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Pillars, we invite you to join the Tikvah Ideas Circle by clicking here.
Transcribe →Bentham and Blake: English Utilitarianism vs. Romance
4w ago00:38:08Tap to summarizeUtilitarianism was one product of the Enlightenment, but so was Romanticism. As we begin to unpack these topics, Rabbi Rocklin will answer the following questions: Why did Bentham argue in favor of uncapped interest rates even if it would not be good for individuals? How do Bentham's final wishes—for his body to be dissected and his skeleton put on display—demonstrate the limits of the Enlightenment? What was novel about Blake's approach to children, particularly in his poetry? Recommended Reading: Blake, William. "Jerusalem (And Did Those Feet in Ancient Time)." 1804. If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Pillars, we invite you to join the Tikvah Ideas Circle by clicking here.
Transcribe →Covenant, Labor, and Productivity: Judaism and Economics
May 2000:45:17Tap to summarizeThe Biblical underpinnings of Judaism give us some important insights into modern economics. To help us explore the topic, we'll address the following questions: In what sense can general economic productivity be understood as Biblical? Why did the Dutch currency become the world's first reserve currency? How can the Biblical covenant be seen as the animating spirit behind the Dutch, British, and eventually American economic prowess? If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Pillars, we invite you to join the Tikvah Ideas Circle by clicking here.
Transcribe →Immanuel Kant: The Pinnacle of the Enlightenment
May 1300:31:57Tap to summarizeImmanuel Kant is widely regarded as the greatest of the Enlightenment philosophers. Today, we'll learn more about him and address the following questions: How did Kant's Protestant background influence his approach to philosophy? In what way did Kant influence the Romantic era? Why did Kant reject Judaism as irrational? If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Pillars, we invite you to join the Tikvah Ideas Circle by clicking here.
Transcribe →Sentiment and Sense: Hume, Smith, and the Scottish Enlightenment
May 600:31:52Tap to summarizeThe Scottish Enlightenment was markedly different than the Enlightenment on the European continent. To help us explore this topic, we'll take a look at the following questions: How did David Hume influence the way in which history is recounted? Why would later philosophers see Hume as more reasonable than his French and German counterparts? Why was post-Enlightenment Britain more open to organized religion than the continent? Recommended Reading: Herman, Arthur. How the Scots Invented the Modern World. New York: Crown Publishing Group, 2003. If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Pillars, we invite you to join the Tikvah Ideas Circle by clicking here.
Transcribe →Jean-Jacques Rousseau: The End of the Enlightenment
Apr 2900:35:48Tap to summarizeOne of the most intriguing philosophers of the Enlightenment was Jean-Jacques Rousseau. As we learn about his assertions and contradictions, Rabbi Rocklin will touch on the following questions: In what sense is Rousseau at least partly responsible for the invention of the child? According to Rousseau, why is society fundamental to the individual? How can Rousseau, an Enlightenment thinker, be considered a Romantic? Recommended Reading: Rousseau, Jean-Jacques. The Social Contract and Discourses. 1762. Rousseau. Emile: Or On Education. 1763. Reprint, translated by Allan Bloom. New York, Basic Books: 1971. Rousseau. Discourse on Inequality. 1755. Rousseau. Reveries of a Solitary Walker. 1782. If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Pillars, we invite you to join the Tikvah Ideas Circle by clicking here.
Transcribe →Voltaire, Diderot, and Condorcet: Spokesmen of the French Enlightenment
Apr 2200:32:41Tap to summarizeThe French Enlightenment was a time of upheaval, and its main philosophers espoused ideas that challenged the traditional social and religious order. To unpack that concept, we'll explore the following questions: How does Voltaire's perspective on human redemption reflect Enlightenment philosophy? Why did Diderot expect his encyclopedia to be criticized? How does the Marquis de Condorcet help secularize the Augustinian view of history? This week's episode of The Pillars is generously sponsored by Andrew and Amanda Gold for Dr. Abraham Unger and Emet Classical Academy. If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Pillars, we invite you to join the Tikvah Ideas Circle by clicking here.
Transcribe →Richardson, Fielding, and Sterne: The Rise of the English Novel
Apr 1500:35:34Tap to summarizeRichardson, Fielding, and Sterne can be considered responsible for the novel as we recognize it today. On today's episode, we'll uncover answers to the following questions: How does Samuel Richardson's Pamela try to bridge the gap between human reason and sentiment? In what way does Henry Fielding's use of satire help portray the inherent goodness in people? How does Laurence Sterne convey the richness of life through the absurdities that he portrays in Tristram Shandy? This episode of The Pillars is generously sponsored by Denise and Camillo Santomero. If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Pillars, we invite you to join the Tikvah Ideas Circle by clicking here.
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