Ancient Philosophy (2025) | StreamScapeX

Episodes

Season 1, 6 episodes

Episode 1: The Ionian School
- Now playing
- 1h 7m
- Oct 20, 2025
In our introductory lecture, Dr. Orr takes us on an exploration into the origins of Western philosophy by examining the ideas of the Ionian school, including Thales, Anaximander, Anaximenes, and Heraclitus. We witness their attempts to identify the fundamental principles of reality, such as water, air, the infinite, and logos, and discuss how their ideas laid the groundwork for the development of metaphysics and epistemology in Western thought.
Episode 2: The Eleatic School
- 1h 16m
- Oct 20, 2025
In lecture two, we discover the Eleatic school of thought, which emerged in Elea on the western coast of Italy, and its focus on the concept of Being as opposed to the world of Becoming. The lecture examines key figures such as Parmenides, who argued that Being is the ultimate reality and that the world of Becoming is an illusion. We also learn about Empedocles and Anaxagoras, who attempted to reconcile Parmenides' ideas with the observable world. The lecture concludes with a discussion of Pythagoras and his belief in the fundamental role of mathematics and harmony in understanding the cosmos.
Episode 3: Plato's Perspective
- 1h 12m
- Oct 20, 2025
In lecture three, we study the philosophy of Plato, focusing on his dialogues and the emergence of his metaphysical and epistemological ideas. Dr. Orr traces the historical and intellectual context of 5th century Athens, highlighting the influence of the sophists and Socrates on Plato's thought, and examines key dialogues such as the Apology, Crito, Phaedo, Gorgias, Meno, and Republic. We also undertake an analysis of Plato's famous Allegory of the Cave and its implications for his Theory of Forms and the nature of knowledge and reality.
Episode 4: Aristotle's Approach
- 1h 16m
- Oct 20, 2025
In lecture four, we consider the life and philosophy of Aristotle of Stagira, a pupil of Plato who rose from the fringes of the Greek world to transform civilization at its center in Athens. The lecture explores Aristotle's wide-ranging contributions, including his metaphysics of substance and causation, his teleological view of nature, and his psychology of the soul. It also examines his ethics, centered on eudaimonia, and his politics, grounded in the concept of humans as "political animals." These ideas highlight the systematic and empirical character of his thought, which departed in significant ways from Plato's philosophy.
Episode 5: Stoicism
- 1h 5m
- Oct 20, 2025
In lecture five, we see the emergence and key ideas of Stoicism, an influential philosophical school founded by Zeno of Citium in Athens around 300 BC. The lecture traces the historical context and intellectual lineage of Stoicism, highlighting its roots in Socratic thought and Cynicism, while also situating it within the broader philosophical landscape of the Hellenistic period. Dr. Orr elucidates that central to Stoic philosophy is the notion of living in accordance with reason and nature, cultivating inner resilience, and embracing a form of ethical universalism that recognizes the shared humanity of all people.
Episode 6: Epicureanism
- 1h 15m
- Oct 20, 2025
In our sixth and final lecture, we analyze the philosophy of Epicurus, who developed a materialist metaphysics based on the idea that all reality is reducible to indivisible atoms governed by chance. This atomistic view has implications for Epicurean ethics, religion, and politics, emphasizing detachment, egalitarianism, and a skepticism towards social hierarchies. We also extrapolate the influence of Epicurean philosophy on thinkers like Marx. Dr. Orr concludes by emphasizing the enduring relevance of ancient philosophy in questioning our modern assumptions about truth and reality.

Ancient Philosophy

2025
1 season
1h 15m per episode
Documentary
Talk

Overview

In Ancient Philosophy, a seven-hour course, Dr. Orr takes us on an exploration of the rich history of ancient Greek thought, beginning with the foundational ideas of the Ionian and Eleatic schools and voyaging through the transformative philosophies of Plato and Aristotle. The course also examines the emergence of Stoicism and Epicureanism during the Hellenistic period, emphasizing their distinct approaches to ethics, nature, and the human condition. Throughout the course, we trace the evolution of pivotal concepts in metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics that have shaped Western thought for millennia, underscoring the enduring relevance and transformative power of ancient Greek philosophy in modern times.

Fun facts

Episodes
Ran for 1 season and 6 episodes (2025)
Source for Episodes, opens in a new tab

Details

Created by: Dr. James Orr
Status: Ended
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 6
First aired: October 20, 2025
Original language: English
Countries: US

Production

Peterson Academy

Cast

Dr. James OrrHost

Videos

Episodes

Season 1, 6 episodes

Episode 1: The Ionian School
- Now playing
- 1h 7m
- Oct 20, 2025
In our introductory lecture, Dr. Orr takes us on an exploration into the origins of Western philosophy by examining the ideas of the Ionian school, including Thales, Anaximander, Anaximenes, and Heraclitus. We witness their attempts to identify the fundamental principles of reality, such as water, air, the infinite, and logos, and discuss how their ideas laid the groundwork for the development of metaphysics and epistemology in Western thought.
Episode 2: The Eleatic School
- 1h 16m
- Oct 20, 2025
In lecture two, we discover the Eleatic school of thought, which emerged in Elea on the western coast of Italy, and its focus on the concept of Being as opposed to the world of Becoming. The lecture examines key figures such as Parmenides, who argued that Being is the ultimate reality and that the world of Becoming is an illusion. We also learn about Empedocles and Anaxagoras, who attempted to reconcile Parmenides' ideas with the observable world. The lecture concludes with a discussion of Pythagoras and his belief in the fundamental role of mathematics and harmony in understanding the cosmos.
Episode 3: Plato's Perspective
- 1h 12m
- Oct 20, 2025
In lecture three, we study the philosophy of Plato, focusing on his dialogues and the emergence of his metaphysical and epistemological ideas. Dr. Orr traces the historical and intellectual context of 5th century Athens, highlighting the influence of the sophists and Socrates on Plato's thought, and examines key dialogues such as the Apology, Crito, Phaedo, Gorgias, Meno, and Republic. We also undertake an analysis of Plato's famous Allegory of the Cave and its implications for his Theory of Forms and the nature of knowledge and reality.
Episode 4: Aristotle's Approach
- 1h 16m
- Oct 20, 2025
In lecture four, we consider the life and philosophy of Aristotle of Stagira, a pupil of Plato who rose from the fringes of the Greek world to transform civilization at its center in Athens. The lecture explores Aristotle's wide-ranging contributions, including his metaphysics of substance and causation, his teleological view of nature, and his psychology of the soul. It also examines his ethics, centered on eudaimonia, and his politics, grounded in the concept of humans as "political animals." These ideas highlight the systematic and empirical character of his thought, which departed in significant ways from Plato's philosophy.
Episode 5: Stoicism
- 1h 5m
- Oct 20, 2025
In lecture five, we see the emergence and key ideas of Stoicism, an influential philosophical school founded by Zeno of Citium in Athens around 300 BC. The lecture traces the historical context and intellectual lineage of Stoicism, highlighting its roots in Socratic thought and Cynicism, while also situating it within the broader philosophical landscape of the Hellenistic period. Dr. Orr elucidates that central to Stoic philosophy is the notion of living in accordance with reason and nature, cultivating inner resilience, and embracing a form of ethical universalism that recognizes the shared humanity of all people.
Episode 6: Epicureanism
- 1h 15m
- Oct 20, 2025
In our sixth and final lecture, we analyze the philosophy of Epicurus, who developed a materialist metaphysics based on the idea that all reality is reducible to indivisible atoms governed by chance. This atomistic view has implications for Epicurean ethics, religion, and politics, emphasizing detachment, egalitarianism, and a skepticism towards social hierarchies. We also extrapolate the influence of Epicurean philosophy on thinkers like Marx. Dr. Orr concludes by emphasizing the enduring relevance of ancient philosophy in questioning our modern assumptions about truth and reality.

Episodes

E1 Episode 1: The Ionian School

E2 Episode 2: The Eleatic School

E3 Episode 3: Plato's Perspective

E4 Episode 4: Aristotle's Approach

E5 Episode 5: Stoicism

E6 Episode 6: Epicureanism

Overview

Fun facts

Details

Production

Cast

Videos

More like this

Episodes

E1 Episode 1: The Ionian School

E2 Episode 2: The Eleatic School

E3 Episode 3: Plato's Perspective

E4 Episode 4: Aristotle's Approach

E5 Episode 5: Stoicism

E6 Episode 6: Epicureanism

Episode 1: The Ionian School

Episode 2: The Eleatic School

Episode 3: Plato's Perspective

Episode 4: Aristotle's Approach

Episode 5: Stoicism

Episode 6: Epicureanism

Episode 1: The Ionian School

Episode 2: The Eleatic School

Episode 3: Plato's Perspective

Episode 4: Aristotle's Approach

Episode 5: Stoicism

Episode 6: Epicureanism