292: Nominalism and William of Ockham

292: Nominalism and William of Ockham

Author: A.J. Hanenburg, Graeme Donaldson, and Thomas Magbee December 30, 2025 Duration: 58:24
In this episode, we learn about William of Ockham's ridiculous notion that our words don't mean anything. Then why am I even writing this, WILLIAM. WHY DO WE EVEN TALK. You can tell that I (A.J.) am a big fan of this theory.

Three friends, A.J. Hanenburg, Graeme Donaldson, and Thomas Magbee, gather for the kind of wide-ranging conversation that happens after a good book or a shared idea. Their Classical Stuff You Should Know podcast is built on the belief that the ancient world isn't a sealed relic but a living conversation that touches everything from art and literature to the deeper questions of faith and philosophy. You’ll hear them explore mythology, history, and classical texts, but always through a lens that feels immediate and accessible. They connect these enduring ideas to the categories that shape our lives, whether that's education, creative arts, or personal spirituality. The tone is less like a lecture and more like joining a discussion among knowledgeable pals who genuinely enjoy unpacking these topics together. This approach makes the podcast a resource for teachers looking for engaging angles and for anyone simply curious about how ancient thoughts on Christianity, ethics, and storytelling still resonate. Each episode feels like an invitation to pull up a chair and think along with them, finding richness in the classical tradition that goes far beyond dusty textbooks.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Classical Stuff You Should Know
Podcast Episodes
280: Raskolnikov and Narcissism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:43
In this episode, Graeme tells us of the Narcissism of Raskolnikov. I mean, Graeme tells you, but A.J. had all the ideas (please give him validation).
279: Aesop's Fables [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:12
In this episode, we talk about ants, grasshoppers, scorpions, and a fish named Chris.
277: "Emma," by Jane Austen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:10
In this episode, Graeme tells us the story of Emma, a meddler, someone who doesn't know as much as she thinks she does. Join us, listener, as we take a journey with a socialite.
276: Dyskolos (my favorite DJ) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:26
In this episode, A.J. is a grouch and falls in a well, Graeme is lovestruck, and Thomas talks us through Menander's play "Dyskolos."
274: The Lord of the Flies [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:24
So I MAY have missed that Satan is sometimes called the Lord of the Flies. I see that now. I admit I make mistakes. But hey, at least I caught on to the rest of the biblical imagery.
273: Against Christian Civilization [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:32
In this episode, we discuss Paul Kingsnorth's lecture about Christian civilization. Some are for it. Some against it. Settle it with a boxing match? Yes please.
272: Sir Thomas More [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:09
"Oh? And when the last law was down, and the Devil turned 'round on you, where would you hide, Roper, the laws all being flat?"