Philosophy in Action: Interview of Scott Powell on History is Dead, Long Live History: Podcast of 17 July 2013

Scott Powell on History is Dead, Long Live History

Radio Interview: Wednesday, 17 July 2013

I interviewed Scott Powell on "History is Dead, Long Live History" on Philosophy in Action Radio on Wednesday, 17 July 2013. You can listen to or download the podcast below.

Why is knowledge of history important? How have historians failed to teach it? What's the proper approach? How can adults educate themselves about history?

Scott Powell is the creator of Powell History and "A First History for Adults." He is a permanent traveler who teaches a distance learning homeschooling history program called "History At Our House" that provides an integrated curriculum for children from 2nd to 12th grade all over the world. He is currently writing his first book, History is Dead, Long Live History.

Tags: Academia, America, American Revolution, Children, Economics, Education, Epistemology, Great Depression, Herodotus, History, Thucydides

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Subjects Discussed

The subjects discussed in this episode were:

Diana's experience with "A First History for Adults"
What history could and should be
History as practiced in ancient Greece: Herodotus and Thucydides
History as practiced in the Enlightenment, including the American Founding
History as practiced today, influenced by Ranke and Marx
The cultural effect of the death of history: historical illiteracy
The importance of selectivity
The danger of storytelling in history
The proper purpose of history
Three Is: instruction inspiration, insight
The relevance of the Great Depression to today
Teaching history to children
The goal of rehabilitating history for adults
Methods of teaching and learning history: selectivity and integration
"History is Dead, Long Live History"

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About Philosophy in Action Radio

I'm Dr. Diana Hsieh. I'm a philosopher specializing the application of rational principles to the challenges of real life. I received my Ph.D in philosophy from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2009. My dissertation defended moral responsibility and moral judgment against the doubts raised by Thomas Nagel's "problem of moral luck."

My radio show, Philosophy in Action Radio, broadcasts live over the internet on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. On Sunday mornings, I answer four meaty questions applying rational principles to the challenges of real life in a live hour-long show. Greg Perkins of Objectivist Answers co-hosts the show. On Wednesday evenings, I interview an expert guest about a topic of practical importance.

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