Philosophy and Sanity

George Deegan
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Description: Modern thought is unraveling. From the collapse of philosophical certainty to the rise of autonomous reason, we live in an age untethered from truth. Philosophy and Sanity explores the intellectual origins of our era, the failures of secular thought, and the enduring authority of the Christian tradition—especially through the lens of Catholicism. Join me as we examine the thinkers, ideas, and historical forces that shaped postmodernity, critique the pitfalls of liberalism, and seek a way forward that balances faith, reason, and the common good. Through deep book discussions, historical analysis, and cultural commentary, this podcast is for those who refuse to settle for shallow answers in a world desperate for truth. hebrews1031.substack.com

  1. The Wound of Contingency

    12/11/2025

    The Wound of Contingency

    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hebrews1031.substack.com

    34 min
  2. Commentary: Misunderstanding Continental Philosophy

    11/16/2025

    Commentary: Misunderstanding Continental Philosophy

    In this episode, I take a look at a recent article claiming that continental philosophers are “bad at arguing” — not logical enough, not clear enough, and fundamentally incapable of making a coherent point. I think the piece gets part of the diagnosis right, but for the wrong reasons. Many continental thinkers aren’t trying to write in a straightforward analytic style — not because they’re incompetent, but because they’re operating out of an entirely different philosophical grammar and a different theory of truth. Their writing looks opaque if you evaluate it through analytic expectations, but once you understand the theory-first worldview many of them inherit (especially in the Marxian and post-Hegelian traditions), the style begins to make more sense. In this episode, I walk through where the article hits, where it misses, and how the deeper genealogical and presuppositional issues shape the analytic–continental divide far more than questions of writing ability. It’s my first commentary-style episode after restarting the podcast, so the structure is a bit more exploratory — but I think it lands where it needs to. (Small note: there’s a brief audio glitch around minutes 39–41; I patched it as cleanly as I could.) Link to the article I commented on: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hebrews1031.substack.com

    46 min
  3. The Gospel vs. Gnosis: Why the Oldest Heresy Never Dies

    06/19/2025

    The Gospel vs. Gnosis: Why the Oldest Heresy Never Dies

    Gnosticism sounds like an ancient, obscure heresy—and in some ways it is. But the Gnostic worldview never really disappeared. It just changed shape. In this episode, I break down what Gnosticism actually is: its view of God, humanity, salvation, and morality—and why it’s not just false, but spiritually dangerous. We’ll explore how Gnosticism flips Christianity upside down, offering salvation without repentance, secret knowledge instead of grace, and a God who must be escaped rather than worshiped. Then we turn to the modern world: psychology, liberalism, politics, even therapy culture—and how Gnostic logic is still quietly running underneath it all. If you’ve ever wondered why so many modern movements feel hollow, why the Gospel no longer seems like good news to people, or why sin feels like a forgotten category… this episode will help connect the dots. Gnosticism isn’t just a historical curiosity. It’s a rival religion—and it’s still with us. — 🎧 Listen now and share if it helps you think more clearly about the world we’re in. 📩 Feedback or questions? Reach out anytime. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hebrews1031.substack.com

    29 min
  4. What is Gnosticism?

    06/04/2025

    What is Gnosticism?

    What if one of the oldest heresies in Church history never really died — but just changed names? In this episode, we explore what Gnosticism actually is: not just a strange ancient idea, but a worldview that still shapes how modern people think about truth, identity, and salvation. We’ll define Gnosticism in its original context, trace its development into esoteric and Hermetic forms, and uncover how it continues to influence everything from New Age spirituality to revolutionary politics. Far from being a relic of the past, Gnosticism is alive and well — often hiding in plain sight. Topics covered: What the word gnosis means, and why it matters Gnosticism’s core beliefs: dualism, hidden knowledge, salvation through awakening The difference between Gnosticism, esotericism, and Hermeticism How Gnosticism reappears in today’s ideologies, technologies, and spiritual movements Why this matters for Christians — and what the Gospel offers instead This is the first in a series exploring the deep roots of modern confusion — and why the Church’s ancient witness still speaks today. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hebrews1031.substack.com

    30 min
  5. The Ghost in the System: Liberalism’s Metaphysical Collapse

    05/17/2025

    The Ghost in the System: Liberalism’s Metaphysical Collapse

    📌 Episode Summary: In this episode, we dig into the deeper structure of liberalism—not just as a political philosophy, but as a worldview that has slowly hollowed itself out from the inside. Too many contemporary critiques either blame Marxism for everything or try to rescue classical liberalism as a lost ideal. But both approaches miss a critical piece: progressivism—an ideological bridge between the optimistic freedom of early liberalism and the bureaucratic, managed world of modern technocracy. We explore how liberalism, from its inception, lacked a metaphysical foundation and substituted an empty concept of freedom for a rich vision of the good. Then came progressivism, heavily influenced by Hegel, which injected a new secular eschatology into the system—promising salvation through the state, led by experts and planners. Modern liberalism inherits the structures but loses the promise, becoming pragmatic, managerial, and increasingly hollow. The result is a system haunted by meaning it no longer believes in—a ghost in the machine. In order to understand where we are now, and how to move forward, we must first understand how we got here. 🧩 Topics Covered: Why critiques of modern liberalism often miss the point How classical liberalism was already missing a vision of man’s telos The forgotten but crucial role of American progressivism in reshaping liberalism The influence of Hegelian eschatology and the rise of the expert class How freedom was redefined—from personal autonomy to state-mediated self-realization Why modern liberalism feels so empty—and why that’s not an accident The need to recover a thick metaphysical vision grounded in Christian anthropology 🕯️ Key Themes: Liberalism without metaphysics cannot sustain a healthy political order Progressivism as a secularized eschatology—promising utopia through state power The administrative state as a moral and rational agent, justified by “expertise” The shift from truth to pragmatism in modern institutions The enduring need for telos in both personal and political life 📚 Mentioned (or Implied) Thinkers & Influences: John Locke & Classical Liberalism Hegel and German Idealism American Progressives like Woodrow Wilson Marxism’s shared inheritance with progressivism Catholic critiques of liberalism and the need for metaphysical grounding 🧭 Why It Matters: Without understanding liberalism’s inner contradictions and metaphysical poverty, we risk latching onto either shallow nostalgia or destructive alternatives. This episode makes the case that real renewal must begin with first principles—a true anthropology, a vision of the good, and a willingness to name what liberalism forgot. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hebrews1031.substack.com

    33 min
  6. Not Woke, But Still Dangerous: The Rise of the Pagan Right

    05/03/2025

    Not Woke, But Still Dangerous: The Rise of the Pagan Right

    In this episode, I respond to feedback from my last show— regarding my thesis on the left—and expand on a theme that’s drawn strong interest: the so-called “woke right.” I don’t think that’s the right label. What we’re seeing isn’t “wokeness” on the right—it’s something older, stranger, and in some ways more dangerous. We’ll explore: Whether the left is consistent within its own worldview What distinguishes Christianity from other Logos-based systems Why “woke” is a term rooted in leftist ideology—and misapplied when used for the right The rise of a pagan, conspiratorial, and millenarian right that rejects both truth and humility The limits of the romantic Christian political project—and why we must take cultural reality seriously This isn’t a blanket condemnation or a finished system. It’s an attempt to think out loud, diagnose trends, and hold fast to what is good. I’d love your feedback: Follow me on X (Twitter) at Hebrews1031 Subscribe on Substack Let me know what you agree or disagree with—iron sharpens iron. Thanks for listening. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hebrews1031.substack.com

    32 min
  7. When Debate Fails

    04/28/2025

    When Debate Fails

    In this episode of Philosophy and Sanity, we take a step back from heavy theory to explore a foundational idea in a more accessible way. Starting from the common accusation that “the other side” is just being hypocritical, George shows how the problem runs much deeper: we are facing two fundamentally different visions of reality itself. We’ll walk through how these differences aren’t just political or ethical disagreements — they’re rooted in two opposing “cosmologies” of the world, one grounded in the visible order of truth, the other driven by hidden power dynamics and secret knowledge. Along the way, you’ll hear about Gnosticism, Marx, and why understanding this divide is key to having real conversations — and to pushing back against a system built on hidden lies. This is a foundational episode — perfect for listeners who want clear explanations without needing a philosophy degree. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hebrews1031.substack.com

    20 min
  8. Jakob Böhme – The Hidden Root of Modern Madness

    04/17/2025

    Jakob Böhme – The Hidden Root of Modern Madness

    In this episode of Philosophy and Sanity, we dive into the strange, underexplored figure of Jakob Böhme—a 17th-century mystic whose ideas may have quietly shaped the trajectory of modern philosophy, theology, and even postmodern ideology. Though often forgotten or ignored in standard philosophical education, Böhme’s influence can be felt in thinkers like Hegel and movements like liberal Christianity, radical gender theory, and the broader postmodern turn. We explore how Böhme’s bizarre doctrines—like the androgynous Adam or the idea that the Fall is necessary to know God—foreshadow deeply troubling trends in contemporary thought. From imagination as epistemology to a subtle sanctification of evil, Böhme’s legacy seems to haunt many of the ideas dominating today’s cultural and intellectual climate. This episode is more exploratory than conclusive, aiming to raise awareness of Böhme as a figure worth knowing and wrestling with—especially for anyone trying to understand how we got to where we are today. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hebrews1031.substack.com

    46 min
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About

Description: Modern thought is unraveling. From the collapse of philosophical certainty to the rise of autonomous reason, we live in an age untethered from truth. Philosophy and Sanity explores the intellectual origins of our era, the failures of secular thought, and the enduring authority of the Christian tradition—especially through the lens of Catholicism. Join me as we examine the thinkers, ideas, and historical forces that shaped postmodernity, critique the pitfalls of liberalism, and seek a way forward that balances faith, reason, and the common good. Through deep book discussions, historical analysis, and cultural commentary, this podcast is for those who refuse to settle for shallow answers in a world desperate for truth. hebrews1031.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    George Deegan
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © George Deegan
  • Show Website
    Philosophy and Sanity