Episode 160: Orwell on Totalitarianism and Language (Part One)

episode

The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast not yet transcribed

▲ 0

Transcript

This episode hasn't been transcribed yet Upvotes decide what gets transcribed next — 0 so far. Sign in to upvote

More from The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast

Ep. 400: Dennett Rejects Qualia (Part Two) 51 min · 21 Sep 2026

PEL Presents Closereads: Late Dennett on Consciousness (Part One) 55 min · 20 Sep 2026

PEL Presents PMP#230: Gettin' Furious 49 min · 18 Sep 2026

Ep. 400: Dennett Rejects Qualia (Part One) 52 min · 14 Sep 2026

PEL Presents PvI#124: Navel Evaluation (Our Season 5 Finale) 53 min · 12 Sep 2026

PEL Presents NEM#260: Jacqui Hunt (Single Gun Theory) Now Master of Her Synth Domain 1h 4m · 11 Sep 2026

All episodes from The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast →

Report any issue

Source

Recorded13 Mar 2017

Publisherpartiallyexaminedlife.libsyn.com ↗

Handlerec:5514808

Show notes

On the novel 1984 (1949) and the essays "Politics and the English Language" (1946) and "Notes on Nationalism" (1945). What's the relation between language and totalitarianism? Orwell shows us a society where the rulers have mastered the art of retaining power, and one element of this involves "Newspeak," where vocabulary is limited to prevent subversive speech, and ultimately thoughts. Do our linguistic habits and the Orwellian lies of our leaders point to a slippery slope toward the world of 1984? Please support PEL!

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

Sign in