

The Panpsycast Philosophy Podcast
Jack Symes | Andrew Horton, Oliver Marley, and Rose de Castellane
An 'informal and informative' philosophy podcast inspiring and supporting students, teachers, academics and free-thinkers worldwide. All episodes are available at www.thepanpsycast.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 9, 2021 • 58min
Episode 96, Pride and Anger (Part III - Further Analysis and Discussion)
Introduction If I told you I was a proud and angry person, what would you think of me? Would you conjure up the image of an entitled, arrogant aggressor? The devil’s turn from God was born of pride after all. What if you thought of a person with standards, a person with integrity who wants the best for themselves and others? Would that be a fair assumption? What I’m asking is: are pride and anger virtues or vices? In the right light, emotions seem to lead to a better life… or perhaps they just create that impression until we realise we’ve become something we’d rather not admit. These two emotions govern our self-worth, they shape our relationships with others, and they determine how we bring about a better world. In short, how we think about these two emotions matters and it’s imperative that we understand their nature. Contents Part I. Pride Part II. Anger Part III. Further Analysis and Discussion Links Agnes Collard, On Anger. (Book) Martha C. Nussbaum, Anger and Forgiveness: Resentment, Generosity, Justice. (Book) Melissa M. Shew and Kimberly K. Garchar, Philosophy for Girls: An Invitation to the Life of Thought. (Book) Julia Driver, Modesty and Ignorance. (Paper) Philippa Foot, Virtues and Vices. (Paper) Claudia Mills, Bragging, Boasting, and Crowing: The Ethics of Sharing One’s Glad Tidings with Others. (Paper) Tara Smith, The Practice of Pride. (Paper)

May 2, 2021 • 1h 2min
Episode 96, Pride and Anger (Part II - Anger)
Introduction If I told you I was a proud and angry person, what would you think of me? Would you conjure up the image of an entitled, arrogant aggressor? The devil’s turn from God was born of pride after all. What if you thought of a person with standards, a person with integrity who wants the best for themselves and others? Would that be a fair assumption? What I’m asking is: are pride and anger virtues or vices? In the right light, emotions seem to lead to a better life… or perhaps they just create that impression until we realise we’ve become something we’d rather not admit. These two emotions govern our self-worth, they shape our relationships with others, and they determine how we bring about a better world. In short, how we think about these two emotions matters and it’s imperative that we understand their nature. Contents Part I. Pride Part II. Anger Part III. Further Analysis and Discussion Links Agnes Collard, On Anger. (Book) Martha C. Nussbaum, Anger and Forgiveness: Resentment, Generosity, Justice. (Book) Melissa M. Shew and Kimberly K. Garchar, Philosophy for Girls: An Invitation to the Life of Thought. (Book) Julia Driver, Modesty and Ignorance. (Paper) Philippa Foot, Virtues and Vices. (Paper) Claudia Mills, Bragging, Boasting, and Crowing: The Ethics of Sharing One’s Glad Tidings with Others. (Paper) Tara Smith, The Practice of Pride. (Paper)

Apr 25, 2021 • 1h 17min
Episode 96, Pride and Anger (Part I - Pride)
Introduction If I told you I was a proud and angry person, what would you think of me? Would you conjure up the image of an entitled, arrogant aggressor? The devil’s turn from God was born of pride after all. What if you thought of a person with standards, a person with integrity who wants the best for themselves and others? Would that be a fair assumption? What I’m asking is: are pride and anger virtues or vices? In the right light, emotions seem to lead to a better life… or perhaps they just create that impression until we realise we’ve become something we’d rather not admit. These two emotions govern our self-worth, they shape our relationships with others, and they determine how we bring about a better world. In short, how we think about these two emotions matters and it’s imperative that we understand their nature. Contents Part I. Pride Part II. Anger Part III. Further Analysis and Discussion Links Agnes Collard, On Anger. (Book) Martha C. Nussbaum, Anger and Forgiveness: Resentment, Generosity, Justice. (Book) Melissa M. Shew and Kimberly K. Garchar, Philosophy for Girls: An Invitation to the Life of Thought. (Book) Julia Driver, Modesty and Ignorance. (Paper) Philippa Foot, Virtues and Vices. (Paper) Claudia Mills, Bragging, Boasting, and Crowing: The Ethics of Sharing One’s Glad Tidings with Others. (Paper) Tara Smith, The Practice of Pride. (Paper)

Apr 18, 2021 • 51min
Episode 95, Conspiracy Theories (Part III - Further Analysis and Discussion)
Introduction Conspiracies happen. Sometimes there really are people who are plotting. Sometimes people use their power to undermine the power of others and harm people for their own personal gain. Sometimes, your paranoia is justified. Perhaps then, we should all be a little more suspicious. After all, don’t we want to protect the freedoms of our families, friends, and neighbours? Perhaps… but perhaps not. What if our suspicions lead us down a never-ending rabbit hole? What if our quest for ‘seeing things as they really are’ only erodes our ability to see the truth? What if our convictions and suspicions actually make it easier for truly dangerous people to remain hidden from our view? What do you mean ‘that’s exactly how they want you to think’? Who are ‘they’? Ah, I see. Contents Part I. Origins Part II. Solutions Part III. Further Analysis and Discussion Links Conspiracy Theories, Quassim Cassam. (Book) Suspicious Minds: Why We Believe Conspiracy Theories, Rob Brotherton. (Book) Believing Bullshit: How Not to Get Sucked untie an Intellectual Black Hole, Stephen Law. (Book) Conspiracies and Conspiracy Theories, Michael Shermer. (Audiobook) Alex Jones Chases a Guy Across the Street. (YouTube) Alex Jones and Andrew Neil, BBC. (YouTube)

Apr 11, 2021 • 1h 6min
Episode 95, Conspiracy Theories (Part II - Solutions)
Introduction Conspiracies happen. Sometimes there really are people who are plotting. Sometimes people use their power to undermine the power of others and harm people for their own personal gain. Sometimes, your paranoia is justified. Perhaps then, we should all be a little more suspicious. After all, don’t we want to protect the freedoms of our families, friends, and neighbours? Perhaps… but perhaps not. What if our suspicions lead us down a never-ending rabbit hole? What if our quest for ‘seeing things as they really are’ only erodes our ability to see the truth? What if our convictions and suspicions actually make it easier for truly dangerous people to remain hidden from our view? What do you mean ‘that’s exactly how they want you to think’? Who are ‘they’? Ah, I see. Contents Part I. Origins Part II. Solutions Part III. Further Analysis and Discussion Links Conspiracy Theories, Quassim Cassam. (Book) Suspicious Minds: Why We Believe Conspiracy Theories, Rob Brotherton. (Book) Believing Bullshit: How Not to Get Sucked untie an Intellectual Black Hole, Stephen Law. (Book) Conspiracies and Conspiracy Theories, Michael Shermer. (Audiobook) Alex Jones Chases a Guy Across the Street. (YouTube) Alex Jones and Andrew Neil, BBC. (YouTube)

Apr 4, 2021 • 1h 6min
Episode 95, Conspiracy Theories (Part I - Origins)
Introduction Conspiracies happen. Sometimes there really are people who are plotting. Sometimes people use their power to undermine the power of others and harm people for their own personal gain. Sometimes, your paranoia is justified. Perhaps then, we should all be a little more suspicious. After all, don’t we want to protect the freedoms of our families, friends, and neighbours? Perhaps… but perhaps not. What if our suspicions lead us down a never-ending rabbit hole? What if our quest for ‘seeing things as they really are’ only erodes our ability to see the truth? What if our convictions and suspicions actually make it easier for truly dangerous people to remain hidden from our view? What do you mean ‘that’s exactly how they want you to think’? Who are ‘they’? Ah, I see. Contents Part I. Origins Part II. Solutions Part III. Further Analysis and Discussion Links Conspiracy Theories, Quassim Cassam. (Book) Suspicious Minds: Why We Believe Conspiracy Theories, Rob Brotherton. (Book) Believing Bullshit: How Not to Get Sucked untie an Intellectual Black Hole, Stephen Law. (Book) Conspiracies and Conspiracy Theories, Michael Shermer. (Audiobook) Alex Jones Chases a Guy Across the Street. (YouTube) Alex Jones and Andrew Neil, BBC. (YouTube)

Mar 28, 2021 • 36min
Episode 94, ‘The New Age of Empire’ with Kehinde Andrews (Part II - Further Analysis and Discussion)
Introduction Western civilisation is the most successful in history. Built on the shoulders of science, industry and democracy, enlightenment philosophy gave birth to the scientific revolution that has increased the quality of life for millions. The Western political drive for democracy has given rise to the largest political representation of people in history, and supranational bodies like the United Nations ensure that inequality and injustice are a thing of the past. Shortly, a Green New Deal and universal basic income will solve the remaining of society’s problems. For Kehinde Andrews, Professor of Black Studies at Birmingham City University, nothing could be further from the truth. In his eyes, Western civilisation is built not on Enlightenment ideals, but on the shoulders of genocide, slavery and colonialism. Since 1492, when Columbus sailed the ocean blue, the West has systematically murdered, exploited, and hoarded the wealth of black and brown nations. Unfortunately, this is not a thing of the past. Today we live not only with the legacy of Empire, but firmly within it! The age of Empire is alive and well, and its colonial, racist, white supremacist logic shapes every part of our lives today. Although the prospects look bleak, a revolution is possible. As Andrews says, Malcolm X was right: ‘the ballot or the bullet, liberty or death, freedom for everybody or freedom for nobody’. Contents Part I. The Logic of Empire Part II. Further Analysis and Discussion Links Kehinde Andrews, The New Age of Empire: How Racism and Colonialism Still Rule the World. Kehinde Andrews, Back to Black: Black Radicalism for the 21st Century. Kehinde Andrews, Birmingham City University. Kehinde Andrews, Twitter.

Mar 21, 2021 • 34min
Episode 94, ‘The New Age of Empire’ with Kehinde Andrews (Part I - The Logic of Empire)
Introduction Western civilisation is the most successful in history. Built on the shoulders of science, industry and democracy, enlightenment philosophy gave birth to the scientific revolution that has increased the quality of life for millions. The Western political drive for democracy has given rise to the largest political representation of people in history, and supranational bodies like the United Nations ensure that inequality and injustice are a thing of the past. Shortly, a Green New Deal and universal basic income will solve the remaining of society’s problems. For Kehinde Andrews, Professor of Black Studies at Birmingham City University, nothing could be further from the truth. In his eyes, Western civilisation is built not on Enlightenment ideals, but on the shoulders of genocide, slavery and colonialism. Since 1492, when Columbus sailed the ocean blue, the West has systematically murdered, exploited, and hoarded the wealth of black and brown nations. Unfortunately, this is not a thing of the past. Today we live not only with the legacy of Empire, but firmly within it! The age of Empire is alive and well, and its colonial, racist, white supremacist logic shapes every part of our lives today. Although the prospects look bleak, a revolution is possible. As Andrews says, Malcolm X was right: ‘the ballot or the bullet, liberty or death, freedom for everybody or freedom for nobody’. Contents Part I. The Logic of Empire Part II. Further Analysis and Discussion Links Kehinde Andrews, The New Age of Empire: How Racism and Colonialism Still Rule the World. Kehinde Andrews, Back to Black: Black Radicalism for the 21st Century. Kehinde Andrews, Birmingham City University. Kehinde Andrews, Twitter.

Mar 14, 2021 • 57min
Episode 93, ‘The Philosophy of Hinduism’ with Jessica Frazier (Part II - Death, Evil, and Suffering)
Introduction Hinduism is the world’s oldest living religion, and it won’t be disappearing any time soon. This ancient worldview currently boasts over one billion devotees, making it the third most popular religion in the world. Despite its popularity, scholarship in philosophy of religion continues to ignore its influence, with academic papers on the Abrahamic faiths vastly outnumbering those devoted to Hinduism. Our classrooms don’t paint a prettier picture. In UK schools, Hinduism is scarcely taught in comparison to the other major world religions, with reports showing that educators lack the confidence and subject knowledge to teach Hinduism properly. Fortunately, thanks to the work of scholars such as Jessica Frazier, things are changing. Jessica Frazier is Lecturer in Theology and Religion at Trinity College, Oxford and Fellow of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies. Frazier is one of the world’s leading experts on Hindu philosophy, reshaping and globalising philosophy of religion for the 21st century. As well as being the founding editor of the Journal of Hindu Studies, she is best known for her books Reality, Religion and Passion, The Bloomsbury Companion to Hindu Studies, and most recently, Hindu Worldviews: Theories of Self, Ritual and Reality. Far from your ivory tower academic, Jessica is a committed public philosopher, broadening the horizons of academics and the general public through her captivating writing style and regular media appearances. As we will see, Frazier’s work demonstrates Hinduism's rich and insightful philosophical tradition; a tradition that can shed light on life’s greatest questions: from the nature of life, god and suffering, to the fundamental structure of reality. This episode is produced in partnership with The Global Philosophy of Religion Project at University of Birmingham, led by Yujin Nagasawa and funded by the John Templeton Foundation. Contents Part I. Fundamental Reality Part II. Death, Evil, and Suffering Links Jessica Frazier, About (webpage). Jessica Frazier, Reality, Religion, and Passion (book). Jessica Frazier, The Bloomsbury Companion to Hindu Studies (book). Jessica Frazier, Hindu Worldviews: Theories of Self, Ritual and Reality (book). Jessica Frazier, Categorisation in Indian Philosophy: Thinking Inside the Box (book). Jessica Frazier, BBC In Our Times: Hindu Creation (podcast). Jessica Frazier, History of Philosophy without Any Gaps (podcast).

Mar 7, 2021 • 52min
Episode 93, ‘The Philosophy of Hinduism’ with Jessica Frazier (Part I - Fundamental Reality)
Introduction Hinduism is the world’s oldest living religion, and it won’t be disappearing any time soon. This ancient worldview currently boasts over one billion devotees, making it the third most popular religion in the world. Despite its popularity, scholarship in philosophy of religion continues to ignore its influence, with academic papers on the Abrahamic faiths vastly outnumbering those devoted to Hinduism. Our classrooms don’t paint a prettier picture. In UK schools, Hinduism is scarcely taught in comparison to the other major world religions, with reports showing that educators lack the confidence and subject knowledge to teach Hinduism properly. Fortunately, thanks to the work of scholars such as Jessica Frazier, things are changing. Jessica Frazier is Lecturer in Theology and Religion at Trinity College, Oxford and Fellow of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies. Frazier is one of the world’s leading experts on Hindu philosophy, reshaping and globalising philosophy of religion for the 21st century. As well as being the founding editor of the Journal of Hindu Studies, she is best known for her books Reality, Religion and Passion, The Bloomsbury Companion to Hindu Studies, and most recently, Hindu Worldviews: Theories of Self, Ritual and Reality. Far from your ivory tower academic, Jessica is a committed public philosopher, broadening the horizons of academics and the general public through her captivating writing style and regular media appearances. As we will see, Frazier’s work demonstrates Hinduism's rich and insightful philosophical tradition; a tradition that can shed light on life’s greatest questions: from the nature of life, god and suffering, to the fundamental structure of reality. This episode is produced in partnership with The Global Philosophy of Religion Project at University of Birmingham, led by Yujin Nagasawa and funded by the John Templeton Foundation. Contents Part I. Fundamental Reality Part II. Death, Evil, and Suffering Links Jessica Frazier, About (webpage). Jessica Frazier, Reality, Religion, and Passion (book). Jessica Frazier, The Bloomsbury Companion to Hindu Studies (book). Jessica Frazier, Hindu Worldviews: Theories of Self, Ritual and Reality (book). Jessica Frazier, Categorisation in Indian Philosophy: Thinking Inside the Box (book). Jessica Frazier, BBC In Our Times: Hindu Creation (podcast). Jessica Frazier, History of Philosophy without Any Gaps (podcast).