Welcome to Dark Martial Arts History, a multi-part audio documentary covering the dark side of the fighting arts! In this first episode, hosts Ben Van Doren and Eva Schubert join philosopher Angie Hobbs to examine how ancient ideas of masculinity and warrior culture continue to influence martial arts and politics today. They trace Plato’s radical stance on gender and leadership, the Stoics’ call for self-mastery, and the dangers of Spartan militarism. The discussion warns how extremists misappropriate thinkers like Homer and Nietzsche to promote nationalism and violence while neglecting values of empathy, justice, and critical thought. Martial arts, they argue, can either be a tool for manipulation or a path to cultivate resilience, honor, and community.

Angie Hobbs is Professor Emerita of the Public Understanding of Philosophy at the University of Sheffield. She gained a degree in Classics and a PhD in Ancient Philosophy at the University of Cambridge, and her chief interests are in ancient philosophy and literature, and ethics and political theory from classical thought to the present, and she has published widely in these areas, including Plato and the Hero; Why Plato Matters Now is being published by Bloomsbury in August 2025 (October in the States). She works in a number of policy sectors, and contributes regularly to media around the world, including many appearances on In Our Time on BBC Radio 4; she has spoken at the World Economic Forum at Davos, the Athens Democracy Forum, the Houses of Parliament, the Scottish Parliament and Westminster Abbey and been the guest on Desert Island Discs and Private Passions.

Learn more about Angie Hobbs:
https://angiehobbs.com/

Get Angie's latest book, Why Plato Matters Now (use code BJJ20 for 20% off):
https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/why-plato-matters-now-9781399403375/

Follow Ben Van Doren on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/deepbluebrazilianjiujitsu

Follow Eva Schubert on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/evaschubert


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