Possessed: the historical ideas that haunt us

Possessed: the historical ideas that haunt us

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About

We are possessed by our pasts. Yesterday's ideas haunt us today, exerting a powerful influence on us, shaping how we think about and engage with the world. This podcast critically investigates the histories that possess us—and their afterlives. Our hosts (and occasional exorcists) are a minister, an atheist, and a Jew, who are also researchers in Religious Studies, Philosophy, and History. Between Andrew’s historical expertise, Matt’s philosophical dexterity, and Mary’s training in theology and ethics, we so enjoy chopping it up and sharing what we’ve learned with you.

Creator

USC Faculty: Andrew Berns, Matt Kisner, Mary Nickel

host

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Episodes(3)

3

Season 1 Teaser Trailer

Season 1Oct 21, 20251 min

An introduction to Possessed

2

Measuring Happiness

Season 1Aug 22, 202547 min

Many psychologists today propose that scientific research can help us learn how to become happy. This proposal rests on the provocative assumption that happiness is the sort of thing that you can measure scientifically, an idea that would have been rejected throughout most of western history. This e

1

The Magic Ring

Season 1Aug 22, 202540 min

This episode explores the history of the idea that without being watched by other people, we are more likely to behave badly. We start with Plato's myth of Gyges' ring, but also explore online surveillance, secret ballots, and more.

Possessed: the historical ideas that haunt us — ipoDB