In this episode, we explore the fascinating world of sundial construction through Sebastian Münster’s 16th-century treatise Horologiographia. This text offers a meticulous guide to the art and science of building sundials, with detailed instructions on designing various types, positioning the gnomon, and inscribing hour lines....
In this episode, we break down the essential themes of Plato’s 'Republic' with insights from Sean McAleer’s Plato's Republic: An Introduction. McAleer takes us through Plato's arguments on justice, happiness, and the nature of knowledge while highlighting the philosophical foundations of this iconic text. We...
In this episode, we explore the rich intersection of sound, music, and colonial power in early modern history, inspired by Acoustemologies in Contact: Sounding Subjects and Modes of Listening in Early Modernity, edited by Emily Wilbourne and Suzanne G. Cusick. This collection of essays sheds...
In this episode, William H. Ukers' book All About Coffee serves as our guide as we travel through the fascinating history of coffee. We explore its origins in the Middle East, its spread to Europe, and how it became a cultural cornerstone across the globe....
In this episode, we explore the remarkable journey of Philiphê Bỉnh, a Vietnamese Catholic priest who traveled to Lisbon in 1796 to advocate for his community. Based on A Vietnamese Moses: Philiphê Bỉnh and the Geographies of Early Modern Catholicism by George E. Dutton, we...
In this episode, we examine the evolving concept of heritage in a globalized world, drawing on insights from Tangible and Intangible Heritage in the Age of Globalisation, edited by Lilia Makhloufi. The book brings together perspectives from various disciplines to address the complexities of preserving...
In this episode, we explore the philosophical insights of Kitaro Nishida through his work Intelligibility and the Philosophy of Nothingness. This profound concept offers a unique perspective on Japanese philosophy, showing how traditions like Shintoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism influence Nishida’s idea of "nothingness." Rather than...
In this episode, we explore the intriguing world of novel foods, with a focus on edible insects, inspired by the book Novel Foods and Edible Insects in the European Union: An Interdisciplinary Analysis, edited by Lucia Scaffardi and Giulia Formicii. We discuss how these innovative...
In this episode, we examine the lasting influence of one of the Renaissance’s most celebrated artists: Botticelli. Drawing from Botticelli Past and Present, edited by Ana Debenedetti and Caroline Elam, we trace his legacy across four centuries. We’ll discuss his techniques from the 15th century,...
In this episode, we examine the fascinating world of 18th-century connoisseurship, where art expertise and global connections intersect. Inspired by the book Networks and Practices of Connoisseurship in the Global Eighteenth Century, edited by Valérie Kobi, Kristel Smentek, and Chonja Lee, this discussion highlights how...