Lectures

• 

  1. Rand's Rights

  In lecture one, Dr. Hicks explores the post-World War II political philosophy landscape, focusing on Ayn Rand's critique of collectivism and her defense of capitalism as the only moral social system based on individual rights. Together, we examine her argument that human rationality and individual agency are fundamental to human nature, and analyze Robert Nozick's "Tale of the Slave" thought experiment, which questions whether modern democratic systems still retain elements of slavery despite their liberal foundations.
• 

  2. Rawls’ Justice

  In lecture two, we study John Rawls' influential theory of justice, focusing on his 1971 work "A Theory of Justice" and its key concepts. The lecture examines Rawls' transition from religious thought to secular philosophy, introducing his fundamental ideas, including the social contract, veil of ignorance, and difference principle. We analyze Rawls' view of fairness, equality, and distribution of resources in society, emphasizing his Kantian influences and his position within modern liberal political philosophy.
• 

  3. Third Way Politics

  In lecture three, we place ourselves in 1989 at the fall of the Berlin Wall and its implications for political theory, particularly focusing on Francis Fukuyama's "End of History" thesis and the emergence of "Third Way" politics between capitalism and socialism. The lecture delves into James Buchanan's public choice economics, examining how political decisions in mixed economies are influenced by various phenomena such as pork barrel spending, logrolling, and regulatory capture, highlighting the systematic problems that arise when government and private interests become intertwined.
• 

  4. Leftist Thought

  In lecture four, Dr. Hicks examines the evolution of leftist thought from 1968 onwards, focusing on the Frankfurt School's critical theory and its transformation of traditional Marxism. The lecture examines how key figures like Horkheimer, Adorno, and particularly Marcuse synthesized Marxism with Freudian psychology and Kantian philosophy to critique Western liberal capitalism. The discussion culminates with Marcuse's concept of "repressive tolerance" and its influence on the New Left movement, highlighting how this theoretical framework justified intolerance against right-wing views and shaped subsequent radical activism in academia.
• 

  5. Foucault’s Paradox

  In lecture five, we learn about Michel Foucault’s 1978–79 visit to Iran during its Islamic Revolution, examining why a far-left, atheist philosopher would support a religious theocracy that seemingly contradicted his values. We analyze his work Discipline and Punish, where Foucault critiques the shift from historical physical punishment to modern psychological control through prisons, schools, factories, and surveillance. Drawing on Marx, Nietzsche, and Heidegger, we see how Foucault argues that modern "humane" justice systems are not improvements but new forms of oppression.
• 

  6. Qutb's Islam

  In lecture six, we explore the origins and development of modern Islamist ideology through the life and writings of Sayyid Qutb, an influential Egyptian thinker whose experiences in 1940s America helped shape radical Islamic movements. We trace how Qutb's philosophy—which rejects nationalism, democracy, and socialism in favor of universal Islamic rule through jihad and martyrdom—influenced key figures like Osama bin Laden and Ayatollah Khomeini. The lecture concludes by examining how this ideological lineage connects to modern events and continues to manifest in contemporary conflicts between Western liberal values and radical Islamist doctrine.
• 

  7. Dugin's Vision

  In lecture seven, we explore the political philosophy of Aleksandr Dugin, a key post-Soviet thinker who advocates a "Fourth Political Theory" blending fascism, communism, and religious traditionalism in opposition to Western liberalism. His philosophy promotes a spiritual, anti-individualist society rooted in ethnic identity, and rejects materialism, progress, and universal rights. The lecture examines how Dugin's vision positions the United States as the primary enemy representing global liberal hegemony. Ultimately, we see that Dugin proposes a multipolar world order centered on a Eurasian bloc led by Russia, drawing heavily on the philosophy of Martin Heidegger and apocalyptic religious traditions.
• 

  8. Scruton’s Conservatism

  In our eighth and final lecture, we examine Roger Scruton's conservative philosophy in his 2014 edition of The Meaning of Conservatism, where he frames conservatism as rooted in authority over freedom, rejecting both socialism and liberalism’s focus on individual rights and natural law. We explore his critique of abstract ideologies, his emphasis on tradition and social order over autonomy, and his defense of inherited institutions. The lecture concludes by placing Scruton’s thought within a broader political philosophical landscape beyond the simplistic left-right spectrum.