128: Machiavelli

04/29/21 • 52 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill

The boys drink and review Holy Roller, a hazy IPA, and talk about Machiavelli.

Do the ends justify the means? (And did Machiavelli mean that?)

The boys discuss Machiavelli's historical context, the work for which he is mostly known, and the meaning and application of the term "Machiavellian."

Machiavelli satirizes the classic view of virtues, espoused by Cicero. Those virtues might be nice, he says, but they won't keep you in power.

The Prince is contrary to both Roman and Christian values, and was almost scandalous in its time.

The boys drink and review Holy Roller, a hazy IPA, and talk about Machiavelli.

Do the ends justify the means? (And did Machiavelli mean that?)

The boys discuss Machiavelli's historical context, the work for which he is mostly known, and the meaning and application of the term "Machiavellian."

Machiavelli satirizes the classic view of virtues, espoused by Cicero. Those virtues might be nice, he says, but they won't keep you in power.

The Prince is contrary to both Roman and Christian values, and was almost scandalous in its time.

Previous Episode

127: The beer episode

P&C drink a Maibock, then discuss their favorite topic: beer.

The boys talk about hop classifications and uses, and why hops came to dominate beer. They also discuss warm vs. cold beer, and why temperature matters.

And what about sour beers? What's up with that. And speaking of off flavors, what about those beer geeks who criticize Budweiser?

They end with a pair of beer challenges.

Next Episode

129: The hero quest pattern

The boys drink and review an imperial red ale, then -- with special guest Longinus -- discuss the hero quest pattern and how it applies to different stories.

They see the pattern in the stories of Moses, Krishna and Mithridates. (They wanted to add Jesus and Buddha, but there wasn't time.) Then they discuss the larger issue of patterns and archetypes.

What's the origin of this hero quest pattern, and why do so many compelling stories follow it? What does the hero quest say about each of our lives? Where are these archetypes from, and how do they play out in society?