Today on the #QuarantineTapes, Paul Holdengräber sits down with English philosopher and Hans Jonas Professor at the New School for Social Research, Simon Critchley, for a rich discussion on the importance of philosophy in this moment, the relationship between fear and anxiety, the decline of imperial power structures, art as catharsis, and much more.Topics Covered; Philosophy - and it's important right now. Philosophy is a description of who we are, what it means to be human, the essence of being human is existence.The closeness of Fear & Anxiety. Our fear stems from contagion & fear of infection - fear is what threatens us. Anxiety is the uncanniness of being in the world as such.He discusses learning how to die, “he who has learnt hot to die, has unlearnt how to be a slave”Imperial power structures - is this pandemic bringing an end to Imperial Power structures. Is the USA relevant as a power nation when it can’t even provide basic universal health care.Hypochondria - is on his mind and the relationship between mind and body.Existential phenomenology - or “An Existential Phenomenologist” as Simon describes himselfPhilosophy as a way of preparing for deathOptimism and Pessimism vs. Realism“See the skull beneath the skin, as Eliot said of Webster. That’s what good art allows us to do.”Credits:Paul Holdengraber - Co-Creator, Host, OLA DirectorAnthony Audi - Co-Creator, Researcher, OLA DirectorAlejandro Cohen - Co-Creator, Producer, ComposerChristian Pitt - Production Coordinator Erin Cooney - Copy, ProductionDublab Team