Why are People Sheeplike in their Obedience to Authority?

What is Mental Conditioning?

In this lecture we investigate the phenomenon of brainwashing. We describe the 20th century British psychiatrist William Sargant's ideas regarding how the victim of brainwashing is similar to the religious convert and the therapy patient who undergo 'sudden conversions'. We finish the lecture by looking at how fear can be used as tool for 'mass brainwashing'. For more videos visit our site at http://academyofideas.com --- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Clarence Darrow and Peace Resistance

In this lecture we examine the pacifism of the famous American lawyer Clarence Darrow. We discuss his interesting views on society, war, and the punishment of criminals. =================================================== Support us on Patreon: http://patreon.com/academyofideas Recommended Reading: Resist Not Evil by Clarence Darrow - http://amzn.to/1VjHCQq (affiliate link) Visit http://www.academyofideas.com for more videos, video transcripts and more! =================================================== --- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Eric Hoffer: The True Believer and The Psychology of Mass Movements

In this lecture we examine Eric Hoffer's fascinating analysis of mass movements. We look at their causes, those most prone to join a mass movement, the role of leaders and intellectuals in such movements, and more. =================================================== Support us on Patreon: http://patreon.com/academyofideas Recommended Reading: The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements - http://amzn.to/1XUZ7HD (affiliate link) Visit http://www.academyofideas.com for more videos, video transcripts and more! =================================================== --- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Ernest Becker and the Dread of Mortality

In this lecture we look at the 20th century cultural anthropologist Ernest Becker's ideas regarding how the fear of death haunts the human being, shaping one's experience of reality. We look at how Becker thought individuals alleviate this fear by striving to live meaningful and significant lives. =================================================== Support us on Patreon: http://patreon.com/academyofideas Recommended Readings: The Denial of Death by Ernest Becker - http://amzn.to/1TGz2Jb (affiliate link) Escape from Evil by Ernest Becker - http://amzn.to/20GspIT (affiliate link) The Birth and Death of Meaning by Ernest Becker - http://amzn.to/1WWtgaD (affiliate link) Visit http://www.academyofideas.com for more videos, video transcripts and more! =================================================== --- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Why Men Fear Women

Access 130+ membership videos! ► http://academyofideas.com/members/ [http://academyofideas.com/members/] Access the transcript and a gallery of the art used - https://https://academyofideas.com/2026/05/why-men-fear-women/ [https://https://academyofideas.com/2026/05/why-men-fear-women/] Substack - https://theacademyofideas.substack.com/ [https://theacademyofideas.substack.com/] Twitter - https://twitter.com/academyofideas [https://twitter.com/academyofideas] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/academyofideas/ [https://www.instagram.com/academyofideas/] Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2dio7KUNuDHErlMumZtNt6 [https://open.spotify.com/show/2dio7KUNuDHErlMumZtNt6] iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/academy-of-ideas/id1364706343 [https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/academy-of-ideas/id1364706343] Visit academyofideas.com for all our content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]