Empyreon Academy

About Empyreon Academy

Have you ever asked yourself a question and felt like no one could really give you an answer? Well then there is a little philosopher in you and this podcast is the right place to explore it. Here you’ll find clear and simple explanations of philosophy and literature. I’m Ivan, a PhD in philosophy and the founder of Empyreon Academy. You can also find me on YouTube and Patreon, where I share more ideas and reflections.

Publisher

Ivan Shepelev

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

6 Sept 2025

Latest episode

3 Dec 2025

Latest episodes

13 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   3 Dec 2025

   Ep. 13 - Can you Justify a Murder? – Schopenhauer, Kant and Dostoevsky

   Welcome to Empyreon Academy, a podcast for lovers of wisdom and life. I’m Ivan, a PhD candidate in philosophy. “Two things fill the mind with ever new and increasing admiration and awe: the starry heavens above me and the moral law within me.” With these words, Immanuel Kant reminds us that morality stands next to the infinite. But do we really have a moral law within us? Raskolnikov, in Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment, tests this law by asking: “Why not kill one harmful person for the good of many?” No answer satisfies him — yet the law still crushes him. Today, we’ll explore this tension through Schopenhauer, who grounds ethics in egoism and compassion, and Kant, who finds it in duty and freedom — before returning to Raskolnikov, the man who tried to become a god and fell before the law. Ethics isn’t in the stars. It lives here, in every choice we make. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi, I’m Ivan, PhD fellow at the University of Freiburg and I'm also the founder of Empyreon Academy.To join our community and download FREE content you can subscribe here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.patreon.com/c/IvanShepelev) To watch my YouTube videos: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠empyreonacademy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.youtube.com/@empyreonacademy) --------------------------------------------------------------------- About Empyreon Academy: 1. Our primary aim is to equip individuals with the intellectual tools needed to develop their thinking by engaging in dialogue with the greatest minds in history. 2. Our secondary goal is to create a community where people can share their deep understanding for the benefit of everyone. What We Offer: 1. Online Courses – Covering a wide range of topics in philosophy and the fine arts, our courses are distinguished by their philosophical depth. We emphasize dialogue, enabling students to critically engage, discuss, and think alongside influential authors. 2. Conferences – Every three months, we host free, live online conferences, designed to welcome a wide audience and encourage meaningful participation. 3. Magazine – We regularly publish thoughtful book reviews, philosophical articles, and curated reading recommendations. Who We Are: We are an international team of scholars and educators, each specialized in different authors and traditions. What unites us is a shared passion for philosophy and the arts, and a commitment to guiding others on their own path of inquiry. To echo the spirit of this approach: “In short, the student should not learn thoughts, but should learn to think. The philosophy teacher should not carry him, but guide him…” – Immanuel Kant “Learning to see – accustoming the eye to calmness, to patience, to letting things come to you…” – Friedrich Nietzsche

2. 

   26 Nov 2025

   Ep. 12 - Find your Own Voice – Dostoevsky and Miller

   Welcome to Empyreon Academy, a podcast for lovers of wisdom and life. I’m Ivan, a PhD candidate in philosophy. “I am a sick man… I am a spiteful man.” — Dostoevsky. “I was the rotten fruit of a rotten land.” — Miller. Two writers, two worlds — Russia and America — but the same wound: a spiritual disease. Both men begin their redemption with a confession. For Dostoevsky, the illness lives inside the soul — a man buried under an empty world. For Miller, the world itself is rotten — a stage for hypocrisy and silence. Their voices are raw, defiant, unmasked. They remind us that before finding truth, we must face the wound. Before speaking to the world… we must find our voice. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi, I’m Ivan, PhD fellow at the University of Freiburg and I'm also the founder of Empyreon Academy.To join our community and download FREE content you can subscribe here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.patreon.com/c/IvanShepelev) To watch my YouTube videos: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠empyreonacademy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.youtube.com/@empyreonacademy) --------------------------------------------------------------------- About Empyreon Academy: 1. Our primary aim is to equip individuals with the intellectual tools needed to develop their thinking by engaging in dialogue with the greatest minds in history. 2. Our secondary goal is to create a community where people can share their deep understanding for the benefit of everyone. What We Offer: 1. Online Courses – Covering a wide range of topics in philosophy and the fine arts, our courses are distinguished by their philosophical depth. We emphasize dialogue, enabling students to critically engage, discuss, and think alongside influential authors. 2. Conferences – Every three months, we host free, live online conferences, designed to welcome a wide audience and encourage meaningful participation. 3. Magazine – We regularly publish thoughtful book reviews, philosophical articles, and curated reading recommendations. Who We Are: We are an international team of scholars and educators, each specialized in different authors and traditions. What unites us is a shared passion for philosophy and the arts, and a commitment to guiding others on their own path of inquiry. To echo the spirit of this approach: “In short, the student should not learn thoughts, but should learn to think. The philosophy teacher should not carry him, but guide him…” – Immanuel Kant “Learning to see – accustoming the eye to calmness, to patience, to letting things come to you…” – Friedrich Nietzsche

3. 

   19 Nov 2025

   Ep. 11 - How to Defeat Idealism? – Kant vs Berkeley

   Welcome to Empyreon Academy, a podcast for lovers of wisdom and life. I’m Ivan, a PhD candidate in philosophy. „If a tree falls in a forest and no one hears it, does it make a sound?“ For Berkeley, to be is to be perceived — no perception, no world. But Kant turns this upside down: without an external world, we couldn’t even be aware of ourselves. Today: 🌿 Berkeley’s idealism. ⚔️ The crisis of matter. 🪙 Kant’s powerful refutation. A tree, a mind, and the reality that holds us both. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi, I’m Ivan, PhD fellow at the University of Freiburg and I'm also the founder of Empyreon Academy.To join our community and download FREE content you can subscribe here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.patreon.com/c/IvanShepelev) To watch my YouTube videos: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠empyreonacademy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.youtube.com/@empyreonacademy) --------------------------------------------------------------------- About Empyreon Academy: 1. Our primary aim is to equip individuals with the intellectual tools needed to develop their thinking by engaging in dialogue with the greatest minds in history. 2. Our secondary goal is to create a community where people can share their deep understanding for the benefit of everyone. What We Offer: 1. Online Courses – Covering a wide range of topics in philosophy and the fine arts, our courses are distinguished by their philosophical depth. We emphasize dialogue, enabling students to critically engage, discuss, and think alongside influential authors. 2. Conferences – Every three months, we host free, live online conferences, designed to welcome a wide audience and encourage meaningful participation. 3. Magazine – We regularly publish thoughtful book reviews, philosophical articles, and curated reading recommendations. Who We Are: We are an international team of scholars and educators, each specialized in different authors and traditions. What unites us is a shared passion for philosophy and the arts, and a commitment to guiding others on their own path of inquiry. To echo the spirit of this approach: “In short, the student should not learn thoughts, but should learn to think. The philosophy teacher should not carry him, but guide him…” – Immanuel Kant “Learning to see – accustoming the eye to calmness, to patience, to letting things come to you…” – Friedrich Nietzsche

4. 

   12 Nov 2025

   Ep. 10 - Stop Thinking abstract – Hegel

   Welcome to Empyreon Academy, a podcast for lovers of wisdom and life. I’m Ivan, a PhD candidate in philosophy and founder of Empyreon Academy. Today we turn to Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel — a philosopher famous for his complexity, yet here, he does something unexpected: he declares himself an enemy of abstract thinking. In his short essay “Who Thinks Abstractly?”, Hegel flips our assumptions upside down. Abstract thinking, he argues, isn’t the mark of philosophers or intellectuals — it’s something ordinary people do every day, often without knowing it. We’ll explore three core ideas: 🧠 The Misunderstanding — why “abstract” isn’t what most people think. 🪞 Who Thinks Abstractly — how judgment and reduction reveal a narrow way of seeing. ☀️ Seeing the Whole — how simple compassion can shatter abstraction and restore humanity. Hegel’s lesson is sharp and timeless: to think concretely is to see the full picture — not just the label. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi, I’m Ivan, PhD fellow at the University of Freiburg and I'm also the founder of Empyreon Academy.To join our community and download FREE content you can subscribe here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.patreon.com/c/IvanShepelev) To watch my YouTube videos: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠empyreonacademy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.youtube.com/@empyreonacademy) --------------------------------------------------------------------- About Empyreon Academy: 1. Our primary aim is to equip individuals with the intellectual tools needed to develop their thinking by engaging in dialogue with the greatest minds in history. 2. Our secondary goal is to create a community where people can share their deep understanding for the benefit of everyone. What We Offer: 1. Online Courses – Covering a wide range of topics in philosophy and the fine arts, our courses are distinguished by their philosophical depth. We emphasize dialogue, enabling students to critically engage, discuss, and think alongside influential authors. 2. Conferences – Every three months, we host free, live online conferences, designed to welcome a wide audience and encourage meaningful participation. 3. Magazine – We regularly publish thoughtful book reviews, philosophical articles, and curated reading recommendations. Who We Are: We are an international team of scholars and educators, each specialized in different authors and traditions. What unites us is a shared passion for philosophy and the arts, and a commitment to guiding others on their own path of inquiry. To echo the spirit of this approach: “In short, the student should not learn thoughts, but should learn to think. The philosophy teacher should not carry him, but guide him…” – Immanuel Kant “Learning to see – accustoming the eye to calmness, to patience, to letting things come to you…” – Friedrich Nietzsche

5. 

   5 Nov 2025

   Ep. 9 - How to Interpretate the Bible? – Tolstoy

   Welcome to Empyreon Academy, a podcast for lovers of wisdom and life. I’m Ivan, a PhD candidate in philosophy and founder of Empyreon Academy. Today, we turn to Leo Tolstoy and his Gospel in Brief — a radical return to the teachings of Christ, stripped of dogma and ritual. For Tolstoy, Christianity isn’t divine mystery or church tradition; it’s a way of life that gives meaning to existence. We’ll explore three core ideas: 🕊️ The Teaching, Not the Theology — finding truth in Christ’s words, not institutions. 🌿 The Five Commandments — Tolstoy’s moral path of peace, love, and simplicity. 🔥 The Kingdom Within — a spiritual awakening lived here and now. Tolstoy’s message is simple yet revolutionary: live the truth, don’t just believe it. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi, I’m Ivan, PhD fellow at the University of Freiburg and I'm also the founder of Empyreon Academy.To join our community and download FREE content you can subscribe here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.patreon.com/c/IvanShepelev) To watch my YouTube videos: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠empyreonacademy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.youtube.com/@empyreonacademy) --------------------------------------------------------------------- About Empyreon Academy: 1. Our primary aim is to equip individuals with the intellectual tools needed to develop their thinking by engaging in dialogue with the greatest minds in history. 2. Our secondary goal is to create a community where people can share their deep understanding for the benefit of everyone. What We Offer: 1. Online Courses – Covering a wide range of topics in philosophy and the fine arts, our courses are distinguished by their philosophical depth. We emphasize dialogue, enabling students to critically engage, discuss, and think alongside influential authors. 2. Conferences – Every three months, we host free, live online conferences, designed to welcome a wide audience and encourage meaningful participation. 3. Magazine – We regularly publish thoughtful book reviews, philosophical articles, and curated reading recommendations. Who We Are: We are an international team of scholars and educators, each specialized in different authors and traditions. What unites us is a shared passion for philosophy and the arts, and a commitment to guiding others on their own path of inquiry. To echo the spirit of this approach: “In short, the student should not learn thoughts, but should learn to think. The philosophy teacher should not carry him, but guide him…” – Immanuel Kant “Learning to see – accustoming the eye to calmness, to patience, to letting things come to you…” – Friedrich Nietzsche

6. 

   29 Oct 2025

   Ep. 8 - Destroying 2000 years of Philosophy in 10 years – Kant

   Welcome to Empyreon Academy, a podcast for lovers of wisdom and life. I'm Ivan, a PhD candidate in philosophy and founder of Empyreon Academy. Over 2000 years of tradition, built slowly, step by step, through a deep exchange between the greatest minds of history. And then suddenly one day, he doesn't agree. That 'he' is Immanuel Kant, and the disagreement is a revolution. As Kant wrote to his friend Marcus Herz during his so-called "silent decade": "During my long metaphysical research, I... had not considered something that actually constitutes the key to all the mysteries of metaphysics." While the world thought Kant had retired, he was meticulously preparing a work, the Critique of Pure Reason, destined to change our world forever. In this episode, we'll trace the long tradition of Metaphysics—from Plato’s second navigation to the theological systems of Augustine and Aquinas, and the modern certainty of Descartes—to understand the sheer audacity of Kant's project. We'll dive into the heart of Kant’s Copernican Revolution: The Unavoidable Questions — We'll examine Kant's diagnosis that human reason is burdened by unavoidable questions—like "Does our world have a beginning?"—that it is naturally compelled to ask, yet utterly unable to answer. The Battlefield of Reason — How Kant defines the entire history of this endless, fruitless contest to find an ultimate, unconditioned principle as the very definition of Metaphysics. The Copernican Turn — The radical moment when Kant proposes saving metaphysics by changing our perspective: instead of assuming our knowledge must conform to objects, we must assume that objects must conform to our cognition. This revolutionary shift—the exploration of our a priori cognitive structure—is the very key to determining the origin, extent, and limits of metaphysics itself. Join us as we explore the pivot point of modern philosophy. --------------------------------------------------------------------- In November we will launch a philosophy course dedicated to Martin Heidegger. The teachers will be two expert PhD candidates specializing in Heidegger. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi, I’m Ivan, PhD fellow at the University of Freiburg and I'm also the founder of Empyreon Academy.To join our community and download FREE content you can subscribe here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.patreon.com/c/IvanShepelev) To watch my YouTube videos: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠empyreonacademy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.youtube.com/@empyreonacademy) --------------------------------------------------------------------- About Empyreon Academy: 1. Our primary aim is to equip individuals with the intellectual tools needed to develop their thinking by engaging in dialogue with the greatest minds in history. 2. Our secondary goal is to create a community where people can share their deep understanding for the benefit of everyone. What We Offer: 1. Online Courses – Covering a wide range of topics in philosophy and the fine arts, our courses are distinguished by their philosophical depth. We emphasize dialogue, enabling students to critically engage, discuss, and think alongside influential authors. 2. Conferences – Every three months, we host free, live online conferences, designed to welcome a wide audience and encourage meaningful participation. 3. Magazine – We regularly publish thoughtful book reviews, philosophical articles, and curated reading recommendations. Who We Are: We are an international team of scholars and educators, each specialized in different authors and traditions. What unites us is a shared passion for philosophy and the arts, and a commitment to guiding others on their own path of inquiry. To echo the spirit of this approach: “In short, the student should not learn thoughts, but should learn to think. The philosophy teacher should not carry him, but guide him…” – Immanuel Kant “Learning to see – accustoming the eye to calmness, to patience, to letting things come to you…” – Friedrich Nietzsche

7. 

   22 Oct 2025

   Ep. 7 - What if your Way of Learning until Today was wrong? – Simone Weil

   Welcome to Empyreon Academy, a podcast for lovers of wisdom and life. I'm Ivan, a PhD candidate in philosophy and founder of Empyreon Academy. In the eternal darkness, the crow, unable to find any food, longed for light, and the earth was illumined. This is an ancient Eskimo story that explains the origin of light, and one of the most underestimated philosophers of the past century, Simone Weil, uses it to deliver a radical truth: If there is truly desire, if the object of desire is truly light, the desire for light will produce it. But here is the catch: Weil says genuine desire is only possible through an effort of attention. When I first encountered this essay, it completely shattered my approach to learning, rendering grades, knowledge, and approval infinitely meaningless compared to the profound Truth hidden in her words. In this episode, we're dedicating our attention to Simone Weil and her transformative essay, Reflection on the Right Use of School Studies with a View to the Love of God. We'll explore: The Single Purpose of Study — How Weil argues that the primary, singular purpose of all academic work, from geometry to history, is not to gain knowledge but to build and refine our faculty of Attention. The Power of Vain Effort — The groundbreaking idea that "Never, in any way, a genuine effort of attention is wasted," and how a failed effort can still bring light into your soul, allowing you to one day understand a poem by Rilke or help a person in despair. Attention vs. Muscular Effort — The crucial distinction between genuine attention—an effort that is negative, empty, and joy-filled—and the muscular tension we often mistake for work, which is useless for true knowledge. Ultimately, Weil shows us that the goal of this training is to prepare us for the highest form of human connection: the ability to genuinely ask our suffering neighbor, "What are you going through?" --------------------------------------------------------------------- In November we will launch a philosophy course dedicated to Martin Heidegger. The teachers will be two expert PhD candidates specializing in Heidegger. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi, I’m Ivan, PhD fellow at the University of Freiburg and I'm also the founder of Empyreon Academy.To join our community and download FREE content you can subscribe here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.patreon.com/c/IvanShepelev) To watch my YouTube videos: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠empyreonacademy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.youtube.com/@empyreonacademy) --------------------------------------------------------------------- About Empyreon Academy: 1. Our primary aim is to equip individuals with the intellectual tools needed to develop their thinking by engaging in dialogue with the greatest minds in history. 2. Our secondary goal is to create a community where people can share their deep understanding for the benefit of everyone. What We Offer: 1. Online Courses – Covering a wide range of topics in philosophy and the fine arts, our courses are distinguished by their philosophical depth. We emphasize dialogue, enabling students to critically engage, discuss, and think alongside influential authors. 2. Conferences – Every three months, we host free, live online conferences, designed to welcome a wide audience and encourage meaningful participation. 3. Magazine – We regularly publish thoughtful book reviews, philosophical articles, and curated reading recommendations. Who We Are: We are an international team of scholars and educators, each specialized in different authors and traditions. What unites us is a shared passion for philosophy and the arts, and a commitment to guiding others on their own path of inquiry. To echo the spirit of this approach: “In short, the student should not learn thoughts, but should learn to think. The philosophy teacher should not carry him, but guide him…” – Immanuel Kant “Learning to see – accustoming the eye to calmness, to patience, to letting things come to you…” – Friedrich Nietzsche

8. 

   15 Oct 2025

   Ep. 6- Everything Comes from Nothing – Heidegger’s Revolution

   Welcome to Empyreon Academy, a podcast for lovers of wisdom and life. I'm Ivan, a PhD candidate in philosophy and founder of Empyreon Academy. In this episode, we're diving into the work of Martin Heidegger and his radical challenge to the modern world: the critical state of the relationship between Science and Philosophy. His proposed solution? A complete rethinking of the concept of Metaphysics, starting with a question that seems, on the surface, absurd: What is Nothing? Imagine you're searching for answers and the most fundamental concept—Nothing—is thrown out by science as useless. Yet, it’s present everywhere in your life, not just in logical negations, but in the pain of failure and the bitterness of renunciation. We'll explore how Heidegger's lecture, What is Metaphysics?, revolutionizes our understanding of existence: The Problem of Nothing — How the very act of asking "What is Nothing?" forces us to treat it as a 'being,' and why Heidegger insists this non-concept is the key to unlocking the problem of existence. Anxiety as Revelation — The surprising and profound role of anxiety (Angst) in daily life, as the primary experience that reveals the true, critical sense of Nothing, grounding man as a metaphysical being. The Unification of Domains — How Heidegger shatters the ancient opposition between Being and Nothing to show they are fundamentally linked, allowing him to argue for a profound dialogue between philosophy and science. These revolutionary concepts compel us to ask the provocative question that closes Heidegger's text: Is it possible to investigate the physical world while ignoring or denying the metaphysics of human nature? --------------------------------------------------------------------- In November we will launch a philosophy course dedicated to Martin Heidegger. The teachers will be two expert PhD candidates specializing in Heidegger. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi, I’m Ivan, PhD fellow at the University of Freiburg and I'm also the founder of Empyreon Academy.To join our community and download FREE content you can subscribe here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.patreon.com/c/IvanShepelev) To watch my YouTube videos: ⁠⁠⁠⁠empyreonacademy⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.youtube.com/@empyreonacademy) --------------------------------------------------------------------- About Empyreon Academy: 1. Our primary aim is to equip individuals with the intellectual tools needed to develop their thinking by engaging in dialogue with the greatest minds in history. 2. Our secondary goal is to create a community where people can share their deep understanding for the benefit of everyone. What We Offer: 1. Online Courses – Covering a wide range of topics in philosophy and the fine arts, our courses are distinguished by their philosophical depth. We emphasize dialogue, enabling students to critically engage, discuss, and think alongside influential authors. 2. Conferences – Every three months, we host free, live online conferences, designed to welcome a wide audience and encourage meaningful participation. 3. Magazine – We regularly publish thoughtful book reviews, philosophical articles, and curated reading recommendations. Who We Are: We are an international team of scholars and educators, each specialized in different authors and traditions. What unites us is a shared passion for philosophy and the arts, and a commitment to guiding others on their own path of inquiry. To echo the spirit of this approach: “In short, the student should not learn thoughts, but should learn to think. The philosophy teacher should not carry him, but guide him…” – Immanuel Kant “Learning to see – accustoming the eye to calmness, to patience, to letting things come to you…” – Friedrich Nietzsche

9. 

   8 Oct 2025

   Ep. 5: The way we perceive time can change us – Nietzsche's Eternal Return

   Welcome to Empyreon Academy, a podcast for lovers of wisdom and life. I'm Ivan, a PhD candidate in philosophy and founder of Empyreon Academy. In this episode, we'll dive into the work of Friedrich Nietzsche and his most profound challenge to our existence: The Eternal Return. This concept isn't just a thought experiment; it's a radical test of how much you truly love your life. Imagine a demon whispering this to you in your loneliest hour: "This life, as you now live it, you will have to live it again—over and over, countless times, in the exact same way." We'll explore how Nietzsche’s idea challenges our fundamental assumptions about time, choice, and meaning: The Existential Test — The thought experiment that forces you to confront every choice you've made and ask if you can embrace its eternal recurrence, leading to the concept of Amor Fati (love of one's fate). Beyond Linear Time — How the Eternal Return, or die Ewige Wiederkunft, is a metaphysical weapon Nietzsche uses to shatter the Western tradition's focus on a stable 'Being' and embrace a philosophy of constant Becoming. The Instant as Infinite — The groundbreaking idea that every moment is not a fleeting point on a timeline but is complete, self-contained, and an eternal site of creation and transformation. These revolutionary concepts transform the way we view our everyday lives, compelling us to live with a responsibility and passion that echoes infinitely. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Two important events are coming up! 1. At the end of the month, we are organizing a conference on the theme "Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Education". Admission is completely free; just send me a request by email: empyreon.academy@outlook.com 2. In October, we will launch a philosophy course dedicated to Martin Heidegger. The teachers will be two expert PhD candidates specializing in Heidegger. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi, I’m Ivan, PhD fellow at the University of Freiburg and I'm also the founder of Empyreon Academy.To join our community and download FREE content you can subscribe here: ⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.patreon.com/c/IvanShepelev) To watch my YouTube videos: ⁠⁠⁠empyreonacademy⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.youtube.com/@empyreonacademy) --------------------------------------------------------------------- About Empyreon Academy: 1. Our primary aim is to equip individuals with the intellectual tools needed to develop their thinking by engaging in dialogue with the greatest minds in history. 2. Our secondary goal is to create a community where people can share their deep understanding for the benefit of everyone. What We Offer: 1. Online Courses – Covering a wide range of topics in philosophy and the fine arts, our courses are distinguished by their philosophical depth. We emphasize dialogue, enabling students to critically engage, discuss, and think alongside influential authors. 2. Conferences – Every three months, we host free, live online conferences, designed to welcome a wide audience and encourage meaningful participation. 3. Magazine – We regularly publish thoughtful book reviews, philosophical articles, and curated reading recommendations. Who We Are: We are an international team of scholars and educators, each specialized in different authors and traditions. What unites us is a shared passion for philosophy and the arts, and a commitment to guiding others on their own path of inquiry. To echo the spirit of this approach: “In short, the student should not learn thoughts, but should learn to think. The philosophy teacher should not carry him, but guide him…” – Immanuel Kant “Learning to see – accustoming the eye to calmness, to patience, to letting things come to you…” – Friedrich Nietzsche

10. 

    28 Sept 2025

    Ep. 4: Truth is Subjectivity – Kierkegaard’s Existentialism

    Welcome to Empyreon Academy, a podcast for lovers of wisdom and life. I’m Ivan, a PhD candidate in philosophy and founder of Empyreon Academy. In this episode, we'll dive into the work of Søren Kierkegaard, a revolutionary thinker who faced the profound crisis of the 19th century with a simple yet powerful response: "Truth is subjectivity." We'll explore how Kierkegaard’s ideas provided a lifeline in an age when everything—from religion to science—seemed to be crumbling: The 19th-Century Crisis — the economic, cultural, and philosophical shifts that left humanity feeling lost and adrift. Truth as Subjectivity — the radical notion that the most important truths are not objective facts but intensely personal, lived experiences. Existence Precedes Essence — the groundbreaking idea that we are not born with a fixed purpose but create our own meaning through our choices. These revolutionary concepts challenged the systems of his time and continue to resonate with anyone seeking an authentic, meaningful life. Join me as we explore how Kierkegaard faced the nihilism of his age and forever changed how we think about truth and existence. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Two important events are coming up! 1. At the end of the month, we are organizing a conference on the theme "Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Education". Admission is completely free; just send me a request by email: empyreon.academy@outlook.com 2. In October, we will launch a philosophy course dedicated to Martin Heidegger. The teachers will be two expert PhD candidates specializing in Heidegger. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi, I’m Ivan, PhD fellow at the University of Freiburg and I'm also the founder of Empyreon Academy.To join our community and download FREE content you can subscribe here: ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ (https://www.patreon.com/c/IvanShepelev) To watch my YouTube videos: ⁠⁠empyreonacademy⁠⁠ (https://www.youtube.com/@empyreonacademy) --------------------------------------------------------------------- About Empyreon Academy: 1. Our primary aim is to equip individuals with the intellectual tools needed to develop their thinking by engaging in dialogue with the greatest minds in history. 2. Our secondary goal is to create a community where people can share their deep understanding for the benefit of everyone. What We Offer: 1. Online Courses – Covering a wide range of topics in philosophy and the fine arts, our courses are distinguished by their philosophical depth. We emphasize dialogue, enabling students to critically engage, discuss, and think alongside influential authors. 2. Conferences – Every three months, we host free, live online conferences, designed to welcome a wide audience and encourage meaningful participation. 3. Magazine – We regularly publish thoughtful book reviews, philosophical articles, and curated reading recommendations. Who We Are: We are an international team of scholars and educators, each specialized in different authors and traditions. What unites us is a shared passion for philosophy and the arts, and a commitment to guiding others on their own path of inquiry. To echo the spirit of this approach: “In short, the student should not learn thoughts, but should learn to think. The philosophy teacher should not carry him, but guide him…” – Immanuel Kant “Learning to see – accustoming the eye to calmness, to patience, to letting things come to you…” – Friedrich Nietzsche

11. 

    21 Sept 2025

    Ep. 3: The Idea Behind Algorithms – Kant’s Copernican Revolution

    Welcome to Empyreon Academy, a podcast for lovers of wisdom and life. I’m Ivan, a PhD candidate in philosophy and founder of Empyreon Academy. In this episode, I want to explore one of the most significant intellectual shifts in history: Immanuel Kant's Copernican Revolution in philosophy. We'll look at the key ideas that reshaped our understanding of knowledge, science, and even the world itself: The Problem with Metaphysics — why Kant believed this "queen of sciences" was stuck and how he sought to save it. The Copernican Revolution — the radical idea that objects must conform to our knowledge, not the other way around. Kant’s Enduring Legacy — how this philosophical shift laid the groundwork for modern technology and even algorithms. These texts and concepts are not just abstract ideas; they offer a powerful new way of seeing the world—one that continues to influence our lives every day. Join me as we explore how Kant's genius forever changed the way we think and why his ideas remain essential today. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Two important events are coming up! 1. At the end of the month, we are organizing a conference on the theme "Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Education". Admission is completely free; just send me a request by email: empyreon.academy@outlook.com 2. In October, we will launch a philosophy course dedicated to Martin Heidegger. The teachers will be two expert PhD candidates specializing in Heidegger. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi, I’m Ivan, PhD fellow at the University of Freiburg and I'm also the founder of Empyreon Academy.To join our community and download FREE content you can subscribe here: ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ (https://www.patreon.com/c/IvanShepelev) To watch my YouTube videos: ⁠⁠empyreonacademy⁠⁠ (https://www.youtube.com/@empyreonacademy) --------------------------------------------------------------------- About Empyreon Academy: 1. Our primary aim is to equip individuals with the intellectual tools needed to develop their thinking by engaging in dialogue with the greatest minds in history. 2. Our secondary goal is to create a community where people can share their deep understanding for the benefit of everyone. What We Offer: 1. Online Courses – Covering a wide range of topics in philosophy and the fine arts, our courses are distinguished by their philosophical depth. We emphasize dialogue, enabling students to critically engage, discuss, and think alongside influential authors. 2. Conferences – Every three months, we host free, live online conferences, designed to welcome a wide audience and encourage meaningful participation. 3. Magazine – We regularly publish thoughtful book reviews, philosophical articles, and curated reading recommendations. Who We Are: We are an international team of scholars and educators, each specialized in different authors and traditions. What unites us is a shared passion for philosophy and the arts, and a commitment to guiding others on their own path of inquiry. To echo the spirit of this approach: “In short, the student should not learn thoughts, but should learn to think. The philosophy teacher should not carry him, but guide him…” – Immanuel Kant “Learning to see – accustoming the eye to calmness, to patience, to letting things come to you…” – Friedrich Nietzsche

12. 

    14 Sept 2025

    Ep. 2: Is Humanity Possible in Times of Violence? – Dostoevsky and Vittorini

    Welcome to Empyreon Academy, a podcast for lovers of wisdom and life. I’m Ivan, a PhD candidate in philosophy and founder of Empyreon Academy. In this episode, I want to explore a question central to our existence: What does it mean to be a man? To help us find an answer, we’ll look to two profound authors and their timeless insights: Elio Vittorini's Men and Not Men — a reflection on how violence erodes humanity, even for the oppressed. Fyodor Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov — an exploration of the problem of evil and the impossible dilemma of human suffering. The Example of Father Zosima — the true answer to Dostoevsky's dilemma, found in a life of radical responsibility and forgiveness. These ideas are as relevant today as ever, especially as we witness the ongoing cycles of violence in the world. They challenge us to reflect on our own humanity and our capacity for good. Join me as we explore why these works matter, how they speak to our deepest questions, and why they remain essential today. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Two important events are coming up! 1. At the end of the month, we are organizing a conference on the theme "Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Education". Admission is completely free; just send me a request by email: empyreon.academy@outlook.com 2. In October, we will launch a philosophy course dedicated to Martin Heidegger. The teachers will be two expert PhD candidates specializing in Heidegger. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi, I’m Ivan, PhD fellow at the University of Freiburg and I'm also the founder of Empyreon Academy.To join our community and download FREE content you can subscribe here: ⁠Patreon⁠ (https://www.patreon.com/c/IvanShepelev) To watch my YouTube videos: ⁠empyreonacademy⁠ (https://www.youtube.com/@empyreonacademy) --------------------------------------------------------------------- About Empyreon Academy: 1. Our primary aim is to equip individuals with the intellectual tools needed to develop their thinking by engaging in dialogue with the greatest minds in history. 2. Our secondary goal is to create a community where people can share their deep understanding for the benefit of everyone. What We Offer: 1. Online Courses – Covering a wide range of topics in philosophy and the fine arts, our courses are distinguished by their philosophical depth. We emphasize dialogue, enabling students to critically engage, discuss, and think alongside influential authors. 2. Conferences – Every three months, we host free, live online conferences, designed to welcome a wide audience and encourage meaningful participation. 3. Magazine – We regularly publish thoughtful book reviews, philosophical articles, and curated reading recommendations. Who We Are: We are an international team of scholars and educators, each specialized in different authors and traditions. What unites us is a shared passion for philosophy and the arts, and a commitment to guiding others on their own path of inquiry. To echo the spirit of this approach: “In short, the student should not learn thoughts, but should learn to think. The philosophy teacher should not carry him, but guide him…” – Immanuel Kant “Learning to see – accustoming the eye to calmness, to patience, to letting things come to you…” – Friedrich Nietzsche

13. 

    6 Sept 2025

    Ep. 1: Three Books to Begin Philosophy

    Welcome to Empyreon Academy, a podcast for lovers of wisdom and life. I’m Ivan, a PhD candidate in philosophy and founder of Empyreon Academy. In this first episode, I share the three essential books that I believe anyone should read when beginning their philosophical journey: Plato’s Symposium — a dialogue on love that reveals the very meaning of philosophy. Descartes’ Discourse on the Method — the birth of modern thought and the famous cogito ergo sum. Heidegger’s What is Metaphysics? — a short but profound lecture that questions the very ground of philosophy itself. These texts are short, accessible, and timeless. They introduce the fundamental questions of human existence in a way that speaks both to beginners and experienced readers. Join me as we explore why these works matter, how they shaped the history of philosophy, and why they remain essential today. -------------------------------------------- Hi, I’m Ivan, PhD fellow at the University of Freiburg and I'm also the founder of Empyreon Academy.To join our community and download FREE content you can subscribe here: Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/c/IvanShepelev) To watch my YouTube videos: empyreonacademy (https://www.youtube.com/@empyreonacademy) --------------------------------------------About Empyreon Academy: 1. Our primary aim is to equip individuals with the intellectual tools needed to develop their thinking by engaging in dialogue with the greatest minds in history. 2. Our secondary goal is to create a community where people can share their deep understanding for the benefit of everyone.What We Offer:1. Online Courses – Covering a wide range of topics in philosophy and the fine arts, our courses are distinguished by their philosophical depth. We emphasize dialogue, enabling students to critically engage, discuss, and think alongside influential authors.2. Conferences – Every three months, we host free, live online conferences, designed to welcome a wide audience and encourage meaningful participation.3. Magazine – We regularly publish thoughtful book reviews, philosophical articles, and curated reading recommendations.Who We AreWe are an international team of scholars and educators, each specialized in different authors and traditions. What unites us is a shared passion for philosophy and the arts, and a commitment to guiding others on their own path of inquiry.To echo the spirit of this approach:“In short, the student should not learn thoughts, but should learn to think. The philosophy teacher should not carry him, but guide him…” – Immanuel Kant“Learning to see – accustoming the eye to calmness, to patience, to letting things come to you…” – Friedrich Nietzsche

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