intellectual freedom

"People are happy; they get what they want, and they never want what they can't get... they're so conditioned that they practically can't help behaving as they ought to behave."  ~Aldous Huxley

This quote from the dystopian novel Brave New World is playing itself out in the psyche of far too many in the United States of America and worldwide. 

Join us to explore the roots of modern society's misplaced search for superficial happiness and comfort. Are we truly living fulfilling lives in a world where conformity and complacency are encouraged? 

Discover how Aldous Huxley's prophetic words from "Brave New World" resonate in our world today. Are we, as a society, conditioned to seek pleasure and avoid pain at all costs? 

Uncover the startling parallels between Huxley's dystopian vision and our reality, where prescription medications, distrust of the education system, institutions, and societal pressures numb our senses and hinder our growth. 

It's time to awaken from this slumber, break free from the shackles of conformity, and embrace a path to real, meaningful happiness. Yes, this alternative path is hard, even painful, in many ways, but playing the long game is how to find fulfillment in life. Discover how.

Join us in this thought-provoking podcast as we challenge the status quo, question the narratives, and rediscover the joy of a life with purpose and depth.

Are you ready to step out of the shadows and into a world where fulfillment and authenticity reign supreme? 

Website: https://www.daviddhopkins.com/
Newsletter: https://intellectualfreedom.substack.com/
Follow Dr. Hopkins on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DavidDHopkins

It's not a secret that higher education and the academic elites far too often do not serve the nation effectively. 

The PhD is especially failing society in countless ways. More specifically, this podcast focuses on our philosophers and great thinkers. 

I'm not interested in exploring fields such as educational leadership/administration or any other silly 21st-century doctorate fields made up by administrators and self-serving faculty committees to put students in debt so they can have "a title" in this podcast. The explosion of doctorate "degree specialties" is a topic for another day.  

But our Doctors of Philosophy are committing relevancy suicide. We discuss the role philosophers should play in today's complex world. The big thinkers need to stop quibbling over dead philosophers, building CVs, and publishing in journals that nobody will ever read. The great minds in our universities can bridge the gap between abstract theories and solve real-world problems if only they would step into this role with the same vigor they used to earn their degrees or publish to get tenure. 

We delve deep into why philosophers need to step up, engage with the public, and tackle the critical issues of our time. From critical thinking and problem-solving to effective communication, philosophers possess unique skills that can illuminate our path forward if they only step out of their tiny world of academia. 

It's time to call out academia, specifically the PhDs, so they can wake up before society decides they serve no purpose and discard them.  

Website: https://www.daviddhopkins.com/
Newsletter: https://intellectualfreedom.substack.com/
Follow Dr. Hopkins on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DavidDHopkins

In this poignant episode we delve into the timeless concept that life's most profound wisdom can often be found in the simplest of moments. Join us as we explore the extraordinary story of  a life  cut short, but through death emerges new life, hope, and knowledge.

We'll share the remarkable story of Holly Butcher, who, just 24 hours before her untimely passing, gifted the world with profound life lessons. Her wisdom, captured in her final words, serves as a reminder that we should cherish the simple joys, embrace the moment, and prioritize what truly matters.

To read Holly's final words on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/earthmonk.guru/posts/pfbid0PayCmzKeQhNUEyk3kddbiW2s42NwiDxyUsPGFawydenwWtuMDTbowx4CVpojeedLl

Website: https://www.daviddhopkins.com/
Newsletter: https://intellectualfreedom.substack.com/
Follow Dr. Hopkins on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DavidDHopkins

A deep dive into the life of William S. Burroughs based on a close reading of Ted Morgan's 1988 biography, Literary Outlaw: The Life and Times of William S. Burroughs. Burroughs is one of the most independent creative spirits of the 20th century. My goal is to understand how he did it; how he remained so free but was also so influential and successful.

I discuss his transformation from a heroin addict living off his parents' allowance to an internationally acclaimed writer, who was inducted into the Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters in 1983. Hear about his unique brand of conservative anarchism, his significant influence on the counterculture of the '60s and '70s, his parenting, and the social-psychological correlates of his creative freedom.

Burroughs was a blend of the Yankee inventor and the fire-and-brimstone Methodist preacher. We explore his grandfather's invention of the arithmometer and his uncle Ivy Lee's career as a public relations expert. These stories shed light on the roots of Burroughs' radical literary career, which combined a penchant for invention with a desire to go his own way and attack the respectable order of things.

I also discuss Burroughs' late entry into writing and his experiences as a heroin user and a criminal, which taught him a lot about how the world works. I explore his failed attempt to build a commercial farm, his theory of 'factualism', which anticipates Nick Land and Deleuze, and much more.

What did you think of this format, dedicated to a close reading of a great writer's biography? I'd love to hear from you.

Chapters

• 00:00 William S Burroughs' Unconventional Life
• 06:30 Burroughs' Complex Heritage
• 16:55 Burroughs' Late Blooming
• 30:40 The Critical Importance of Small Private Friend Groups
• 43:49 Lessons From Burroughs' Life
• 50:25 What Wild Looks Like: An Anecdote
• 59:08 Did Burroughs Murder his Wife?
• 07:35 The Controversial Success of Burroughs' Novels
• 15:27 More Lessons From the Life of Burroughs

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The world is in a state of chaos, and one of the main reasons is the loss of a unifying system of justice and morality. It can be argued that long before the flowering of democracy and the idea of freedom sprung to life in the West, Thomas Aquinas' Natural Law Theory laid the foundation. However, this foundation is eroding in our post-modern era. 

Aquinas believed there was an immutable natural order to the world and everything in it. This natural order unified all people. Furthermore, he argued that certain moral principles were inherent in this natural order and were accessible to reason. In other words, anyone could discover natural law through rational inquiry.

But today, the natural law theory is being eroded by the waves of post-modern thought crashing against Aquinas's traditional philosophical and theological views. Instead, we live in a world where morality is relative, and individual rights are constantly redefined. Unfortunately, this has led to a world where justice is often arbitrary, and people are left grasping to understand the rules of the game.

Join me as I deep dive into Thomas Aquinas, his life, theories, and specifically the Natural Law Theory, and where society is and potentially where it will go if we don't carefully evaluate our trajectory in America today.

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Website: https://www.daviddhopkins.com/
Newsletter: https://intellectualfreedom.substack.com/
Follow Dr. Hopkins on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DavidDHopkins

We have all been there—bad decisions. Making bad decisions triggers negative consequences, such as financial loss, relationship damage, or missed opportunities. As we go through life and accumulate lousy decision after lousy decision, the baggage we carry around gets heavy—embarrassment, regret, anxiety, loss of self-confidence, and even fear that can paralyze us from stepping out of our comfort zone emerge. 

We really only have two choices. Make bad mistakes, curl up in a ball, and give up. Or, we can challenge ourselves to leave the past in the past and have the discipline and determination to tap into our minds and learn to make better decisions. I choose the latter, and I hope you do too. 

This episode explores a three-step process to avoid bad decisions and hopefully make high-quality decisions. We will get through analyzing a medieval intellectual and theologian that lived a life of high drama, bitter confrontations, and more than his share of bad decisions. From these very difficult life experiences, he grew exponentially and became one of the most respected and influential figures of the medieval era. 

His name is Peter Abelard, and his view on sin, thinking, individualism, and personal responsibility was centuries ahead of the traditional mindset of the time. As we always do, we will attempt to connect the dots from a set of wisdom literature and philosophy to the postmodern world we live in today. 

I hope you will listen in and study as we explore Peter Abelard and how to make more effective decisions in life.

JOIN THE INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM COMMUNITY!  It's free and gives you access to much, much more content and material to further your journey.  https://intellectualfreedom.substack.com/

Website: https://www.daviddhopkins.com/
Newsletter: https://intellectualfreedom.substack.com/
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Examples are everywhere—social media, political soundbites, and cable TV demonstrate that ignorance is trending globally. We have all seen it. It is scary to watch. 

Politicians boast, “I’m not a scientist,” or that people are “sick of the so-called experts.” Rather than expertise, lack of experience is explained as a positive thing, better than any credential. Healthy skepticism is important—but denying basic facts of the obvious sort is dangerous and breeds extremism. 

In this climate, misinformation or fake news is on the rise, and flagrant lies by those in positions of authority are accepted and spread without question by both sides of the ideological divide- these lies shape beliefs, foster mistrust, and breed anger among the population.

The irony is that although we live in the information age, we do not appear well-informed at the minimum, or at worst, society is becoming downright ignorant. 

For all the benefits the information age has given to society, it surely has some unintended negative consequences. But there is a solution to combatting society's rising tide of ignorance. 

Ignorance is dangerous. When we lack knowledge or understanding but, with arrogance and bluster, claim to possess knowledge, bad things happen—division happens. Evil happens. 

In this podcast, we look back to a great theologian, philosopher, medical doctor and writer for a clear answer to combat ignorance in any era. His wisdom transcends generations, and we should all consider his teachings. His name is Moses Maimonides. 

Join me for a deep dive into his life, works, and practical knowledge we can all use to become more intelligent and wise in our lives. 

Website: https://www.daviddhopkins.com/
Newsletter: https://intellectualfreedom.substack.com/
Follow Dr. Hopkins on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DavidDHopkins

There is no easy way to slice it; religion is a challenging topic. This week we take on one of the most influential spiritual leaders to ever walk the planet earth and, arguably, one of the most influential people in the history of the world. That person is Jesus Christ. 

In this episode, we discuss the person, the history, and most importantly, the wisdom to live life to the fullest. If you think this is only for Christians, I would challenge you to listen to this episode and read from the selected texts below.  Push yourself outside of your comfort zone!  I will ask Christians to do the same thing when we study other atheistic philosophers and non-religious Christian figures. 

Whether you are a Christian, Muslim, Jew, Buddhist, Theist, or even an Atheist, there is wisdom to be uncovered by reading through the teachings of Jesus Christ that apply to all people, in all eras, and all backgrounds. The goal today is to unpack and disentangle the theology from the universal wisdom that Jesus spoke about during his time on earth. 

Ultimately, we will boil down the teachings of Jesus Christ to five core teachings that repeatedly recur in the Christian doctrines that transcend religiosity and provide a framework for living life to the fullest. 

Be sure to join the Intellectual Freedom Podcast Substack page for additional free resources and study aides that correspond with this episode: https://intellectualfreedom.substack.com

Website: https://www.daviddhopkins.com/
Newsletter: https://intellectualfreedom.substack.com/
Follow Dr. Hopkins on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DavidDHopkins

How long will you wait before you demand the best of yourself? It is a fair question. It is a tough question. 

The 21st century has been labeled as “The Age of Anxiety,” “The United States of Stress,” “The World of Worry,” to name just a few of the unflattering descriptors. The implication is that what we are experiencing—political extremism, deep cultural divisions, pandemics, terrorism, and economic turmoil, existential angst to name just a few. 

It’s enough to drive anyone to a bottle of whiskey and xanax. 

Yet, if we would all slow down for just a minute, there is a solution to so much that is causing the stress level in life to go off the charts. A potential answer that may change your life is a philosophy from the 3rd century BCE—stoicism. 

In this episode, we analyze the very simple and practical application of stoicism in our lives to flip the script and change our perspective to focus on the things that we control. If we learn to do this, very real and very substantial life change can happen for you after listening in on this episode, as we march through the genre of wisdom literature. 

Come along for the journey!

Also, be sure to subscribe to my substack page of the Intellectual Freedom Podcast, and gain access to free texts from original and vetted sources, as well as access to ask me any questions you may have on this episode or anything else we have discussed!

https://intellectualfreedom.substack.com/

Website: https://www.daviddhopkins.com/
Newsletter: https://intellectualfreedom.substack.com/
Follow Dr. Hopkins on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DavidDHopkins

American happiness has reached an all-time low.  I doubt too many are surprised when a random google search on 'happiness in America' yields horrifying results. Right now, America is about as angry, anxiety-riddled, stressed-out, and drugged-up as at any time in our history.

In this episode, we deep-dive into Aristotle's monumental work: Nichomachean Ethics.  Specifically, we will break down happiness. What it is and how to achieve it. You will walk away from this episode with incredible insights into living your best life.

The great news is happiness is within the grasp of everyone. I hope you will come along on this journey as Aristotle can teach you how to find peace, fulfillment, and happiness in this crazy, messed-up world we live,

Beyond this episode, I hope you will check out (for free) the Intellectual Freedom Podcast substack page for even more resources that go way deeper than our discussion in this episode. You can also engage with me personally.

So click HERE to check it out.     

https://intellectualfreedom.substack.com/

Website: https://www.daviddhopkins.com/
Newsletter: https://intellectualfreedom.substack.com/
Follow Dr. Hopkins on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DavidDHopkins

So excited to dive into Sophists in this episode of the Intellectual Freedom Podcast. We will analyze the philosophies and impact the Sophists have had on modern culture. Especially, looking at moral relativism which has reared its head in modern culture with a vengeance. 

Moral relativism has set in so deeply that the upper crust of society has become incapable of discerning right from wrong. Everything can be explained away. Life is one great moral mush .

Along the way analyzing the Sophists we will also look at the rise of the teaching class, as well as the idea of paying for education not for the sake of learning but to acquire the skills and intellect to make money!

Join me on this journey exploring the Sophists, moral relativism, the 'culture wars,' and the beginnings of corporate education. 

Be sure to find even more resources on this podcast by subscribing to the Intellection Freedom Substack page. It's always 100% free!

https://intellectualfreedom.substack.com/ 

Website: https://www.daviddhopkins.com/
Newsletter: https://intellectualfreedom.substack.com/
Follow Dr. Hopkins on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DavidDHopkins

This week on The Book Drop we're celebrating Banned Books Week and the freedom to read. We talk about notable and recent book challenges and revisit our childhoods and all the controversial things we were and weren't allowed to read and watch growing up. 

All the books, movies, TV, resources and bookish items we talked about in this episode can be found here — https://bit.ly/TBDep64

Next week's query of the week is...
If you could host a talk show, who would your first guest be?  Drop your answers here -- https://bit.ly/BookDropQuery 

In October 2019, the Toronto Public Library rented a meeting room to a group called “Radical Feminists Unite!” who invited a trans-exclusionary radical feminist, Meghan Murphy, to speak. This raises heated discussions around library policies and the border line of freedom of expression in Canada.

In this episode, some Shouters had our own live panel discussion on this incident, intellectual freedom and the use of library spaces. As future librarians, we talked about the generational divide in interpreting freedom of expression, intellectual freedom in the context of libraries and in Canada, the core values of libraries, and how and why library policies are important in terms of integrating into communities.

We also have statements from several people who shared their thoughts with us: Matthew Stepanic, writer in residence at EPL and co-owner of Glass Bookshop; Parker Leflar, co-owner of the Quiltbag and a frequent library patron; and Colette Poitras, a Métis librarian.

~~~~~~~

Links:

The intro music for this episode is "Been A Long Night" by Galcher Lustwerk from his new album "Information". galcherlustwerk.bandcamp.com/album/information

Gender Identity: What Does It Mean for Society, the Law, and Women — A talk by Meghan Murphy Oct 31 2019
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIzXSLFeAxQ
Text available here: donotlink.it/V1Ol7

Alvin Schrader's relevant piece from August:
cfe.ryerson.ca/blog/2019/08/can-…face-outrage-over

Postmedia where Alvin is quoted:
leaderpost.com/news/planned-even…8134-462befdad19e

Edmonton Public Library's room renting policies: www.epl.ca/board/#policies

Daniel Sarah Karasik on the harm caused by trans-phobic speech and the myth of neutrality:
briarpatchmagazine.com/blog/view/the…-public-space

Gwen Benaway was majorly involved with challenging the booking and went and spoke in front of the board: twitter.com/GwenBenaway/status/1186758587445579776
www.dailyxtra.com/meghan-murphy-to…hats-next-164045

Pilar Martinez:
CULC letter: http://www.culc.ca/cms_lib/CULC-CBUC%20Letter%20to%20CBC.pdf
The CBC interview in question: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-thursday-edition-1.5324424/i-m-not-going-to-reconsider-toronto-s-top-librarian-refuses-to-bar-speaker-critical-of-transgender-rights-1.5324431