Entitled Opinions (about Life and Literature)

Robert Harrison

The narcotic of intelligent conversation

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20 episodes
Updated May 4

Episodes20

Newest first

May 4 · 44 min
Werner Herzog on Truth
In this episode Werner Herzog speaks with Robert about the future of truth, which is the subject and title of Herzog’s new book, published in 2025. Songs in this episode: “Moby Dick” by Glass Wave, and “Balena” by Glass Wave.
April 20 · 1 hr 23 min
Robert Harrison on Death, Logos, and Technology
Entitled Opinions is pleased to air Robert Harrison’s interview with Masud Gaziyev, which aired on the YouTube channel of “Philosophy Everyday” earlier this month. Inspired by Robert’s book “The Dominion of the Dead”, the interview centered around the meaning of death in our time.
March 18 · 48 min
Tragedy and Postcolonial Literature with Ato Quayson
In this show Robert Harrison and Ato Quayson discuss tragedy and postcolonial literature (the topic of Professor Quayson’s 2021 book of the same title). Ato Quayson is the Jean G. and Morris M. Dolye Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies and English at Stanford University, and chair of the Department of African and African American Studies. Songs in […]
March 4 · 51 min
The Many Lives of Ulysses with Miles Osgood
In this show Robert Harrison and Dr. Miles Osgood from The Ho Center For Buddhist Studies discuss the figure of Ulysses as he appears in Homer and many subsequent incarnations, especially in literary modernism. Songs in this episode: “Nausicaa” by Glass Wave, and “Calypso” by Suzanne Vega.
January 29 · 50 min
On Aging with Adrienne Corn
In this show Robert Harrison and Adrienne Corn discuss the biology, psychology, and sociology of aging. Adrienne Corn earned a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University in Leadership, Policy and Organizational Behavior. She is the founder of HumanTalented, a software and services company located in Nashville. Songs in this episode: “From the Beginning” by Emerson, Lake & […]
January 15 · 46 min
On William James with Mark Gonnerman
Mark Gonnerman received his Ph.D. in Religious Studies at Stanford University, has taught the comparative philosophy of religions, and is the author of “A Sense of the Whole: Reading Gary Snyder’s Mountains and Rivers Without End”. Songs in this episode: “On the Edge of Uncertainty” by Steve Hunter, and “Bold as Love” by Jimi Hendrix.
Dec 24, 2025 · 38 min
An Offering for the Winter Solstice with Abby Walthausen
In this episode we re-broadcast a show that aired on Abby Walthausen’s podcast “A Lovely Wallpaper” in which she engages Robert Harrison on the meaning of the winter solstice and the generative power of darkness.
Dec 16, 2025 · 43 min
What is Meditation? A conversation with Crystal Cassidy
In this show Robert Harrison and Crystal Cassidy discuss the biology, spirit, and outcomes of meditation. Crystal Cassidy is a meditation master and founder of SoulPod. Songs in this episode: “Silence Must be Heard” by Enigma, and “The Voice of Enigma” by Enigma.
Dec 4, 2025 · 53 min
A Conversation about Spirit with Christy Wampole
This episode features Robert Harrison’s conversation with Christy Wampole about Zeitgeist and the spirit of planet Earth, which took place at Princeton University on October 23, 2025.
Nov 10, 2025 · 54 min
Entitled Opinions: The Twentieth Anniversary
A conversation between Robert Harrison and Christy Wampole about the origins and history of Entitled Opinions.
Oct 22, 2025 · 34 min
Robert Harrison on Human Intelligence
In this monologue Robert Harrison reflects on the differences between human intelligence, animal intelligence, and artificial intelligence. Songs in this episode: “From the Beginning” by Emerson, Lake & Palmer; “La Nuit du Rat” by La Féline; and “If” by Pink Floyd.
Oct 2, 2025 · 42 min
Unselfing the Self with Michaela Hulstyn
In this show Robert Harrison and Michaela Hulstyn discuss various experiences of unselfing, focusing on the nature of its shapeshifting and the knowledge that unselfing delivers. Michaela Hulstyn is a Lecturer at Stanford and Associate Director of Stanford’s Structured Liberal Education program. She is the author of Unselfing: Global French Literature at the Limits of […]
Sep 19, 2025 · 49 min
The Philosophy of Inaction with Grant Dowling
A conversation about the uses and abuses of action in the history of philosophy and contemporary society with Grant Dowling. Songs in this episode: “Silence Must Be Heard” by Enigma, and “Easy Does It” by Supertramp.
Sep 5, 2025 · 38 min
The Physics and Spirit of Crystals with Aaron Breidenbach
A conversation about crystals and their mysterious quantum powers with Dr. Aaron Breidenbach. Songs in this episode: “From the Beginning” by Emerson, Lake & Palmer, and “Crystalised” by The xx.
May 8, 2025 · 27 min
The Wind: A Monologue
A monologue in which our host, Professor Robert Harrison, gets swept up by the spirit of the wind and carried toward some indeterminate destination. Songs in this episode: “The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac, “Annabelle Lee” by Glass Wave, and “The Wind Cries Mary” by Jimi Hendrix.
Apr 15, 2025 · 52 min
World War I, Modernism, David Jones with Tim Noakes
A conversation about David Jones’ “In Parenthesis” with Tim Noakes, Head of Public Services, Special Collections at Stanford University. Songs in this episode: “A Fool No More” by Peter Green, and “Machine Gun” by Jimi Hendrix.
Mar 26, 2025 · 44 min
Cyber-Intimacy with Jeanne Proust
A conversation about sex, intimacy, and human relations in the era of AI with Jeanne Proust, Vice President of the Public Philosophy Network. Songs in this episode: “Reckoner” by Radiohead, and “She’s Not There” by The Zombies.
Feb 20, 2025 · 6 min
The Destructive Character: A Cover
A monologue in which our host, Professor Robert Harrison, performs a “cover” of Walter Benjamin’s essay titled “The Destructive Character,” first published in 1931.
Feb 11, 2025 · 47 min
Carl Jung with Laura Wittman
A conversation about Carl Jung, the Red Book, and Jung’s descent into the unconscious with Laura Wittman, Associate Professor of French and Italian at Stanford University. Songs in this episode: “Into the Night” by Julee Cruise, and “End of the Night” by The Doors.
Dec 12, 2024 · 46 min
What is the Virtual? with Jan Söffner
A conversation about the real, the actual, and the virtual with Jan Söffner, Visiting Professor in German Studies at Stanford University and Chair of Cultural Theory and Cultural Analysis at Zeppelin University. Songs in this episode: “Echo” by Glass Wave, and “Compared to What” by Ray Charles.

Entitled Opinions (about Life and Literature)

Werner Herzog on Truth

Robert Harrison on Death, Logos, and Technology

Tragedy and Postcolonial Literature with Ato Quayson

The Many Lives of Ulysses with Miles Osgood

On Aging with Adrienne Corn

On William James with Mark Gonnerman

An Offering for the Winter Solstice with Abby Walthausen

What is Meditation? A conversation with Crystal Cassidy

A Conversation about Spirit with Christy Wampole

Entitled Opinions: The Twentieth Anniversary

Robert Harrison on Human Intelligence

Unselfing the Self with Michaela Hulstyn

The Philosophy of Inaction with Grant Dowling

The Physics and Spirit of Crystals with Aaron Breidenbach

The Wind: A Monologue

World War I, Modernism, David Jones with Tim Noakes

Cyber-Intimacy with Jeanne Proust

The Destructive Character: A Cover

Carl Jung with Laura Wittman

What is the Virtual? with Jan Söffner