Classical Wisdom Speaks

Should philosophy start in childhood?

Discover how philosophy for children can improve critical thinking, empathy, communication, and emotional resilience in the modern world.

This episode is for parents, teachers, students, and anyone interested in philosophy, education, psychology, and child development.

Dr. Maria Kasmirli explores why philosophy should be introduced to children from an early age—not as abstract academic theory, but as a way of encouraging curiosity, dialogue, reasoning, and deeper thinking. The conversation looks at how philosophical discussion helps children develop confidence, communication skills, empathy, emotional intelligence, and the ability to navigate disagreement constructively.

The episode also examines the growing importance of these skills in an age shaped by social media, polarization, distraction, and shallow conversation. Rather than teaching children what to think, philosophy teaches them how to think: how to ask better questions, challenge assumptions, and engage thoughtfully with other people.

If you’ve ever wondered whether philosophy belongs in schools, or why critical thinking matters more than ever, this conversation offers a powerful and practical answer.

KEY TOPICS COVERED
Why philosophy should be taught to children
Philosophy for Children (P4C) explained
Teaching curiosity, questioning, and critical thinking
How dialogue improves empathy and communication
Philosophy and emotional resilience
Learning how to disagree respectfully
Confidence, vulnerability, and intellectual humility
The role of parents and teachers as role models
Social media and the decline of meaningful conversation
Why philosophy matters in modern education
Helping children think independently
Philosophy as preparation for citizenship and life

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Should we teach philosophy to children?
00:31 Introduction to Dr. Maria Kasmirli
00:51 Why philosophy for children matters
01:17 What philosophy for children actually looks like
01:51 Questioning, reasoning, and analysis skills
02:12 Why children naturally enjoy philosophical thinking
03:42 Building confidence through discussion
05:11 Philosophy and emotional intelligence
07:04 Why disagreement is valuable
09:26 The importance of listening and dialogue
11:48 Philosophy beyond the classroom
14:17 Can philosophy make us better citizens?
16:45 Social media, distraction, and modern communication
18:56 Intellectual humility and vulnerability
20:42 Teaching through example
23:16 Why role models matter in education
24:27 Final reflections

If you enjoy conversations about philosophy, education, psychology, and the big ideas shaping society, subscribe for more episodes exploring timeless questions and modern challenges.

Do you think philosophy should be taught in schools from an early age? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

LINKS

👉 Subscribe: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/subscribe?coupon=b28f7da1 
👉 Full podcast: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/p/from-plato-to-the-playground-why

GUEST
Dr. Maria Kasmirli – Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Sheffield specializing in philosophy, education, and Philosophy for Children (P4C). Her work focuses on helping young people develop critical thinking, dialogue, and reflective skills through philosophy.

HASHTAGS

#Philosophy #Education #CriticalThinking #PhilosophyForChildren #ChildDevelopment

What Is the Future of Ancient History? 
In this deep, thought-provoking discussion, leading historians and philosophers explore what “ancient history” really means, how it’s taught today, and why it matters more than ever. 
If you’re interested in history, philosophy, education, or the future of the humanities, this episode will challenge how you think about the ancient world—and your place in it. 
KEY TOPICS COVERED 
• What ancient history actually means (and what it doesn’t) 
• Why it’s not just about Greece and Rome 
• The global vs. local debate in studying the ancient world • How ancient civilizations shaped modern society 
• The difference between “ancient history” and “classics” 
• Why academic institutions teach history the way they do 
• The decline of classics departments and what it means 
• How studying the past expands imagination and future possibilities 
• The importance of comparative history across cultures 
• The future of history, education, and universities 
If this changed how you think about history, hit subscribe for more deep conversations.
Drop a comment: What does “ancient history” mean to you? 
LINKS 👉 Subscribe: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/subscribe?coupon=b28f7da1
Buy Books by the Guests: 
👉 Angie Hobbs’s “Why Plato Matters Now” https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/why-plato-matters-now-9781399403412/
👉 Walter Scheidel's “What is Ancient History?” https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691236650/what-is-ancient-history
👉 Barry Strauss’ “Jews vs. Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion Against the World’s Mightiest Empire” https://www.amazon.com/Jews-vs-Rome-Centuries-Rebellion/dp/1668009595
GUESTS 
Walter Scheidel – Stanford professor, historian, and author of What Is Ancient History? 
Barry Strauss – Historian and bestselling author on ancient Rome and military history 
Angie Hobbs – Professor of Philosophy and expert on Plato and ancient thought 
HASHTAGS #AncientHistory #HistoryExplained #Classics #Philosophy #Humanities

What Did Ancient People Believe About Death and the Afterlife?
Robert Garland explores how Greeks, Egyptians, Romans, and other ancient cultures understood death, grief, burial, and the afterlife. 
This episode is for anyone fascinated by ancient history, mythology, religion, and the human experience of death. 
Classicist Robert Garland discusses how ancient civilizations approached mortality: from Greek ideas of Hades and the afterlife to Egyptian burial practices, reincarnation, grief, cremation, and ritual. Drawing from his book What to Expect When You’re Dead, he reveals how ancient beliefs about death shaped culture, religion, and everyday life. 
If you’ve ever wondered how the ancient world dealt with life’s biggest mystery, this conversation offers a fascinating and surprisingly human exploration of death across civilizations. 
KEY TOPICS COVERED
Ancient Greek beliefs about the afterlife 
Homer’s Odyssey and the underworld 
Egyptian burial rituals and mummification 
Reincarnation and Pythagoras 
Greek funeral customs and expressions of grief 
The Eleusinian Mysteries and salvation beliefs 
Roman views of death and punishment after death 
Ancient cremation and burial practices 
The psychology of grief in the ancient world 
What ancient cultures can teach us about mortality today.
If you enjoy conversations about ancient history, mythology, and philosophy, subscribe for more deep dives into the ancient world. 
Which ancient belief about death or the afterlife surprised you most? Let us know in the comments. 
LINKS
👉 Subscribe: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/subscribe?coupon=b28f7da1
👉 Buy Robert Garland's book "What To Expect When You're Dead": https://www.amazon.com/What-Expect-When-Youre-Dead/dp/0691266174
GUEST 
Robert Garland is the Roy D. and Margaret B. Wooster Professor Emeritus of the Classics at Colgate University. He’s written extensively about ancient life and death in books like The Greek Way of Death, Wandering Greeks, and What to Expect When You're Dead: An Ancient Tour of Death and the Afterlife. #AncientHistory #GreekMythology #Afterlife #RobertGarland #AncientGreece

This episode is for anyone interested in ancient Greece, democracy, political history, and rhetoric, especially if you want to understand how the past connects to modern political challenges. 
You’ll learn who Demosthenes was, how he rose to power through oratory and persuasion, and why he became known as democracy’s defender during the rise of Macedon under Philip II. This conversation explores the fragility of democracy, the role of speech in politics, and the dangers of misinformation: issues that feel just as urgent today. 
If you want a deeper understanding of how **ancient political systems worked AND failed** this episode offers powerful insights.
KEY IDEAS 
Who Demosthenes was and why he matters Ancient Athenian democracy explained 
The rise of Macedon and Philip II 
Democracy vs monarchy in ancient Greece 
The power of rhetoric and political persuasion 
Rivalry between Demosthenes and Aeschines 
The Battle of Chaeronea and Athens’ defeat 
How misinformation and emotional speech shaped politics
Lessons from ancient democracy for today’s world 
Why Demosthenes remains a controversial figure 
TIMESTAMPS 
00:00 Introduction & James Romm 
00:50 Setting the stage: Athens in the 4th century BC 
04:08 Rise of political oratory in Athens 
05:20 Democracy and the power of speech 
08:06 Rise of Philip II and Macedon 
10:31 Democracy vs monarchy 
12:07 Why Athens was treated differently 
14:24 Demosthenes’ early life and speech training 
19:08 Political rivals and propaganda 
20:19 Fake news and attacks in ancient politics 
22:30 Athens decides to fight Macedon 
23:29 The Battle of Chaeronea 
24:06 Did Demosthenes fail? 
25:13 His legacy and historical debate 
26:31 What we can learn from ancient democracy 
27:05 Misinformation and political chaos 
28:03 Trust, leadership, and public decision-making 
29:32 Final reflections on democracy
If you’re fascinated by ancient history and its connection to modern politics, subscribe for more deep dives like this. 
What do you think: was Demosthenes a hero or a misguided idealist? 
Share your thoughts below. 
LINKS
👉 Subscribe: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/subscribe?coupon=b28f7da1 
👉 Watch the FULL episode: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/p/democracys-last-defender 
👉 Buy Demosthenes: Democracy's  https://www.amazon.com/Demosthenes-Democracys-Defender-Ancient-Lives/dp/0300269382 
GUEST 
James Romm is Professor of Classics at Bard College and acclaimed author of multiple books on ancient Greece, specializing in Greek history, politics, and biography. 
He will also be speaking at our upcoming LIVE event "Why Myth Matters", as part of an incredible group of prestigious philosophers, preeminent professors and best-selling authors.
Learn more and register to join us HERE: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/why-myth-matters-tickets-1988334531107?aff=oddtdtcreator 
#AncientGreece #Demosthenes #GreekHistory #Democracy #PoliticalHistory

What does the story of Demeter really tell us about loss, power, and the human experience? 
In this episode, renowned translator and classicist Diane Rayor unpacks the Homeric Hymn to Demeter: one of the most powerful and enduring myths from ancient Greece. 
Far more than just a story about gods, this hymn explores grief, motherhood, identity, and the fragile balance between life and death. Diane Rayor brings her deep expertise and fresh translation work to the conversation, revealing layers of meaning that are often missed in traditional readings. 
Together, we explore how this ancient text speaks to universal human emotions, and why it still resonates thousands of years later. 
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN 
The core story of the Homeric Hymn to Demeter and its significance 
How Demeter’s grief shapes the natural world and human experience 
The role of Persephone and what her story represents 
Why this hymn was central to ancient Greek religion and ritual 
How translation choices affect our understanding of ancient texts 
What this myth can (and can’t) tell us about life today 
TIMESTAMPS 
00:00 Introduction & Diane Rayor 
01:30 What is the Homeric Hymn to Demeter? 
04:10 The story of Demeter and Persephone 
08:45 Themes of grief, loss, and motherhood 
12:20 The Eleusinian Mysteries and religious context 
16:00 Translation choices and interpretation 
20:10 Why this myth still matters today 
If you enjoy thoughtful conversations about ancient texts and their meaning, subscribe for more episodes with leading scholars and translators. What does this myth mean to you? 
LINKS 
👉 Subscribe: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/subscribe?coupon=b28f7da1 
👉 Diane's Translations of the Homeric Hymns: https://www.amazon.com/Homeric-Hymns-Translation-Introduction-Literature/dp/0520282116 
👉 Audio Recordings of Sappho: A New Translation of the Complete Works: cambridge.org/sappho 
👉 No Reply Press: https://www.noreplypress.com/ 
Featuring guest Diane Rayor: 
Diane J. Rayor, Professor Emerita of Classics, Grand Valley State University, Michigan and acclaimed translator known for her accessible and poetic translations of ancient Greek works, including Homer and Sappho. 
#AncientGreece #GreekMythology #Demeter #Persephone #Classics #DianeRayor