What History Teaches Us About Cultural Wars w/ Dr. Stephen Hicks

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It’s no secret that we’re living in turbulent times. Everyone seems to have an opinion about what’s right, wrong, fair, or oppressive, and somewhere in the middle of it all, the concept of individual agency feels like it’s on life support.

Dr. Stephen Hicks joins us to get to the root of these issues. His insights are essential for understanding where we are today and how we got here. He is a philosopher and expert in intellectual history.

Dr. Hicks unpacks the origins of critical theory, postmodernism, and their evolution into today’s sociopolitical movements.

Discover how Marxist, postmodernist, and Nietzschean philosophies intersected to shape movements like critical race theory and even historical atrocities like Nazism. Learn how the denial of individual agency fuels collective victimhood and undermines societal progress.

The episode also examines the resurgence of tribalism and ideological polarization, drawing lessons from history.

This isn’t just a history lesson but a wake-up call. Understanding the roots of today’s cultural conflicts helps us navigate them better. It’s not about choosing sides; it’s about asking the right questions and finding ways to build bridges instead of walls.

Tune in to explore the philosophies shaping our world and their consequences for democracy, individual rights, and social responsibility.

Key Takeaways 

Introduction (00:00)

The origins of Postmodernism and its philosophical skepticism (01:30) 

Evolution of movements like critical race theory (06:12)

The denial of individual agency in academic disciplines (15:36)

Cultural shifts in American attitudes toward rights and responsibilities (27:10)

Historical roots of Nazism and the philosophical influences of Marx and Nietzsche (46:40)

Trigger points for the Holocaust and ideological justification (53:41)

Dr. Hicks' creative process and thoughts on modern education platforms (1:02:49)

Additional Resources

Connect with Stephen Hicks

Website: https://www.stephenhicks.org/

X: https://x.com/srchicks

Follow Stephen Hicks on IG: https://www.instagram.com/stephenhicksphilosophy/

Books by Stephen Hicks:

Explaining Postmodernism: Skepticism and Socialism from Rousseau to Foucault

https://www.amazon.com/Explaining-Postmodernism-Skepticism-Socialism-Rousseau/dp/1549509934/

Nietzsche and the Nazis https://www.amazon.com/Nietzsche-Nazis-Stephen-R-C-Hicks/dp/B0C2S71DZL/

Liberalism Pro and Con https://www.amazon.com/Liberalism-Pro-Stephen-R-Hicks-ebook/dp/B0CWRMR6RN/

Entrepreneurial Living (co-edited with Jennifer Harrolle) https://www.amazon.com/Entrepreneurial-Living-Stories-Innovation-Achievement-ebook/dp/B071LPYDPM/

Art: Modern, Postmodern, and Beyond (co-authored with Michael Newberry, 2021)

https://www.amazon.com/Art-Postmodern-Overview-Trivial-Manifesto-ebook/dp/B09DR18MP6/

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Rick Walker Podcast is a place for discussions around leadership, responsibility, and purpose. Join us each week as we break down the frameworks of becoming a world-class leader who is effective in their work and daily life.