Thinking in Dark Times

Volodymyr Yermolenko
  • 5.0 (1)
  • PHILOSOPHY
Thinking in Dark Times

A philosophical and cultural podcast from Ukraine. By Volodymyr Yermolenko, Ukrainian philosopher and writer. I live and work in Ukraine, doing both intellectual and practical volunteering work in the context of the Russian invasion against Ukraine. I try to see the light through and despite the darkness. Support my work at: https://www.patreon.com/thinkinggg

Episodes

  1. Rethinking the 20th-century intellectual legacy - with David Rieff

    3D AGO

    Rethinking the 20th-century intellectual legacy - with David Rieff

    Which 20th-century ideas should we carry with us into the 21st century? And which of them have become obsolete? We discuss these topics during a live event with David Rieff, a prominent American writer and journalist. The discussion was held on March 1st at PEN Ukraine space in Kyiv, and was organized by UkraineWorld, PEN Ukraine and Thinking in Dark Times podcast. Hosts: Volodymyr Yermolenko, a Ukrainian philosopher and the chief editor of UkraineWorld, the president of PEN Ukraine, and Tetyana Ogarkova, a Ukrainian literary scholar, and author of the French-language podcast L’Ukraine face a la guerre by the Ukraine Crisis Media Centre. Both are lecturers at Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, the oldest Ukrainian university. Support: https://www.patreon.com/c/thinkinggg

    1h 43m
  2. Communism: A Critical Look

    MAR 17

    Communism: A Critical Look

    In this episode, I offer a critical perspective on communism. I will argue three main points: First, while the idea of communism is built on certain commendable foundations, its Marxist and later Leninist iterations lead it down a misguided and immoral path. Second, unlike Nazism, totalitarian communism has never been fully condemned, resulting in a legacy of unpunished crimes—crimes that, without accountability, continue to be repeated. Third, Soviet Marxism was, in fact, a distorted or reversed version of Marxism. Instead of empowering those who control the means of production, it placed power in the hands of those who control the means of destruction. This is Thinking in Dark Times, a podcast where I reflect on ideas in the midst of global crisis. Host: Volodymyr Yermolenko; I am a Ukrainian philosopher. Despite the war, I continue to live and work in Ukraine. You can support my work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/thinkinggg

    32 min
  3. Talk or Fight: Agora and Agon as Political Metaphors

    MAR 4

    Talk or Fight: Agora and Agon as Political Metaphors

    In this episode, I argue that a healthy polity is an equilibrium between the values of agora (conversation, dialogue, exchange) and the values of agon (warrior ethos, capacity to fight when needed). The absolutization of one of these values weakens the state and society. I also refer to classics of political philosophy and history, particularly the Greek historian Polybius and his account of the Roman Republic. My name is Volodymyr Yermolenko, I am a Ukrainian philosopher and book writer, president of PEN Ukraine, and chief editor of UkraineWorld. Despite the ongoing war, I live in Ukraine and often visit frontline areas to help soldiers and civilians. Support my work at https://www.patreon.com/c/thinkinggg

    32 min

  4. FEB 26

    What do we get wrong about the 20th century?

    What misconceptions do we have about the 20th century? Our inaccurate understanding of the past often leads to mistakes or inaction in the present. In this episode, I delve into what I believe are misconceptions about the 20th century. I will focus on two main points: 1) why a certain interpretation of the end of World War II is incorrect; 2) why the belief that we are living in a "post-history" era is misleading; and 3) why equating economic prosperity with political and social strength is misguided. These misconceptions have left the world unprepared for the return of dark times.  Author: Volodymyr Yermolenko, a Ukrainian philosopher, the chief editor of UkraineWorld, president of PEN Ukraine, and associate professor at Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. Support my work at https://www.patreon.com/thinkinggg

    37 min
  5. The Re-imperialization of the World?

    FEB 14

    The Re-imperialization of the World?

    Many anticipated that the 21st century would perpetuate the trend of the previous century, moving steadily away from imperialistic and colonial practices. Yet, what if the coming decades herald a reversal, ushering in not fewer, but more empires? Imagine a future where liberal democracies are overshadowed, forced to defend their existence and fight for their survival, much like Ukraine's current struggle. This possibility warrants serious consideration. I am Volodymyr Yermolenko, a Ukrainian philosopher, the chief editor of UkraineWorld, and the president of PEN Ukraine. Welcome to my podcast, "Thinking in Dark Times." To support this endeavor, please visit https://www.patreon.com/c/thinkinggg

    32 min
  6. Rethinking Imperialism

    FEB 13

    Rethinking Imperialism

    In this episode, I reflect on the commonalities and differences between sea imperialism and land imperialism. I also explore different forms of power and domination within these imperialisms: domination by difference and domination by sameness. Additionally, I analyze the specifics of Russian imperialism and why it remains misunderstood worldwide. My name is Volodymyr Yermolenko, and I am a Ukrainian philosopher living in Ukraine. I am launching this new podcast because I believe Ukraine is a key place for critical thinking today. Despite the war and suffering, Ukraine is a place where important ideas are being born. Support my work: https://www.patreon.com/thinkinggg

    37 min
  7. On freedom: Timothy Snyder in Kyiv

    FEB 10

    On freedom: Timothy Snyder in Kyiv

    Timothy Snyder came to Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, to present his book "On Freedom". We have had several conversations about the ideas of this book before (in Kyiv and Kharkiv), and you can find links to the podcast episodes featuring these discussions in the description. However, this was the first time we talked about this book after its publication. We recorded this conversation on February 9, 2025, at the Sense bookstore on Khreshchatyk Street, in the heart of the Ukrainian capital, very close to Maidan. Several hundred people attended, with many staying despite the lack of available seats. Most of them were young. This demonstrates how important reading and critical thinking are for Ukrainians today. Host: Volodymyr Yermolenko – Ukrainian philosopher, the chief editor of UkraineWorld, and the president of PEN Ukraine. The Ukrainian translation of this book was done by Choven Publishing House (translator: Halyna Herasym) Support "Thinking in Dark Times" on Patreon:www.patreon.com/thinkinggg  Other conversations with Timothy Snyder: Kyiv, September 2022 ⁠www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHksNrj7elQ&t=10s⁠ Kyiv, September 2023 ⁠www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LkXsW14qJQ&t=724s⁠ Kharkiv, September 2024 ⁠www.youtube.com/watch?v=HR0bqQy5gzA&t=9s⁠ -- Contents: 01:54 - «I feel in Ukraine better than in most other places» 02:44 - being a historian who wrote a philosophy book 07:17 - What can the Ukrainian experience tell other nations about freedom? 12:45 - positive freedom (freedom-to) vs negative freedom (freedom-from). «Freedom isn’t just the absence of evil, but the presence of good» 15:44 - thinking about positive and negative freedom in America and Ukraine 20:30 - freedom and values 24:55 - freedom and sovereignty 32:47 - freedom and unpredictability 41:13 - the metaphor of the bell 45:07 - freedom during military occupation and de-occupation 50:30 - is history repeating itself? 1:00:00 - on social networks 1:11:50 - which values can unite Ukrainians during the war? 1:14:50 - rethinking Ukrainian history from the global perspective

    1h 23m
  8. Anne Applebaum on autocracies, pacifism, and Ukraine

    12/05/2024

    Anne Applebaum on autocracies, pacifism, and Ukraine

    Anne Applebaum is a Pulitzer Prize-winning American journalist, historian, and political analyst. A few weeks ago, she was awarded the Peace Prize of German Publishers at the Frankfurt Book Forum. Her new book, "Autocracy, Inc.", explores the fragility of today’s democracies, and an ever-stronger network of autocracies that threaten them. In this podcast, she discusses some of the book’s key ideas and Ukraine’s role in this global setting. Host: Volodymyr Yermolenko, Ukrainian philosopher, chief editor of UkraineWorld and president of PEN Ukraine UkraineWorld (ukraineworld.org) is brought to you by Internews Ukraine, one of Ukraine’s largest media NGOs. Support "Thinking in Dark Times" podcast here:www.patreon.com/thinkinggg You can also support our volunteer trips to the front lines at PayPal: ukraine.resisting@gmail.com. --- Link to Anne Applebaum's book:www.penguin.co.uk/books/455382/aut…ne/9780241627891 Link to Anne Applebaum's Frankfurt speech:ukraineworld.org/en/articles/opin…nkfurt-book-fair

    43 min

  9. 12/03/2024

    Thinking in Dark Times - What Is This Podcast About?

    My name is Volodymyr Yermolenko, I am a Ukrainian philosopher who lives in Ukraine. I am launching this new podcast because I believe that Ukraine is a key place for thinking today. Despite the war and suffering, Ukraine is a place where important thinking is being born. In this podcast, you will find my conversations with prominent intellectuals from Ukraine and abroad, as well as my reflections on key topics of today's world, as well as existential philosophical ideas and metaphors. Support my work: https://www.patreon.com/thinkinggg

    13 min
  • 9 Episodes

    About

    A philosophical and cultural podcast from Ukraine. By Volodymyr Yermolenko, Ukrainian philosopher and writer. I live and work in Ukraine, doing both intellectual and practical volunteering work in the context of the Russian invasion against Ukraine. I try to see the light through and despite the darkness. Support my work at: https://www.patreon.com/thinkinggg

    Information

    • Creator
      Volodymyr Yermolenko
    • Years Active
      2024 - 2025
    • Episodes
      9
    • Rating
      Clean
    • Copyright
      © Volodymyr Yermolenko
    • Show Website
      Thinking in Dark Times

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