
The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast
The Partially Examined Life is a podcast by some guys who were at one point set on doing philosophy for a living but then thought better of it. Each episode, we pick a short text and chat about it with some balance between insight and flippancy. You don't have to know any philosophy, or even to have read the text we're talking about to (mostly) follow and (hopefully) enjoy the discussion. For links to the texts we discuss and other info, check out www.partiallyexaminedlife.com.
We also feature episodes from other podcasts by our hosts to round out your partially examined life, including Pretty Much Pop (prettymuchpop.com, covering all media), Nakedly Examined Music (nakedlyexaminedmusic.com, deconstructing songs), Philosophy vs. Improv (philosophyimprov.com, fun with performance skills and philosophical ideas), and (sub)Text (subtextpodcast.com, looking deeply at lit and film). Learn about more network podcasts at partiallyexaminedlife.com.
Latest episodes

Jun 9, 2025 • 49min
Ep. 368: Hume on Reason in Ethics (Part Two)
Dive into Hume's exploration of moral sentiments and their role in shaping our ethical judgments. The discussion contrasts emotional responses with rationality, examining complex topics like sociopathy and the ethics of incest. Discover how societal norms influence our perceptions of morality and the interplay of reason and sentiment in ethical decision-making. The conversation also touches on contemporary dilemmas, inviting listeners to reflect on their own moral beliefs within Hume's intriguing philosophy.

Jun 7, 2025 • 50min
PEL Presents PMP#198: Andor: Grown-Up Star Wars
Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al discuss Tony Gilroy's Star Wars Disney+ two-season TV show. Should this actually be a Star Wars show given how different in tone it was? The show adds meat (and banality!) to the evil of the Empire and the rough life of a rebel. We talk characters, themes, settings, and all that other literary stuff. For more, visit prettymuchpop.com. Hear this ad-free with bonus content at patreon.com/prettymuchpop or by subscribing via Apple Podcasts to the Mark Lintertainment Channel.

Jun 4, 2025 • 48min
PEL Presents PvI#93: Poetry Stands its Ground w/ Shannon Bass and Audrey Kohler
Shannon the philosopher and Audrey the poet are Seattle improv buddies that form a duo called Closer to Clarity that uses improv to answer audience members' big life questions (BLQs). Hear philosophy and poetry face off and mind meld and do-si-do as we play through two wacky corporate office scenes and return once again to Empty Street™ for an attempted gas station poetry open mic. Hear more at philosophyimprov.com. Support the podcast and listen ad-free at philosophyimprov.com/support.

Jun 2, 2025 • 45min
Ep. 368: Hume on Reason in Ethics (Part One)
Dive into David Hume's fascinating exploration of morality, where reason battles emotion in ethical judgments. Discover how virtues stem from personal feelings rather than objective logic, challenging ascetic practices. Unpack the interplay between desire, reason, and sentiment, and appreciate the crucial role of empathy in decision-making. Contrast Hume's ethical views with those of Aristotle and Kant, while examining how innate instincts shape our moral sentiments. This rich discussion reveals the complexities of merging passion with reason in understanding ethics.

May 29, 2025 • 55min
PEL Presents PMP#197: Medically Dramatic
Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al discuss The Pitt and other medical dramas like ER, Gray's Anatomy, ad nauseam. Doctors and patients grappling with life and death stakes seems a strong premise for drama, but how many of these shows do we need? We talk about the gore, the pacing, the characters, the politics, and the other considerations that make The Pitt a great show (at this point). For more, visit prettymuchpop.com. Hear this ad-free with bonus content at patreon.com/prettymuchpop or by subscribing via Apple Podcasts to the Mark Lintertainment Channel.

May 26, 2025 • 46min
Ep. 367: Hume on the Foundations of Ethics (Part Two)
Dive into Hume's analysis of justice, revealing its social construct origins and vital role in ethics. Discover contrasting views on property rights that highlight the tension between ownership and societal welfare. Explore how morality emerges from societal conventions rather than metaphysical beliefs, and navigate the complexities of virtue and ethical relativism. Delve into the connections between utility and aesthetics, and examine the psychological influences on our moral judgments. A lively discussion wraps up with an exploration of Hume's is-ought distinction.

May 24, 2025 • 1h 16min
PEL Presents NEM#231: Bill Champlin (ex-Chicago) Sings of Love Just to Find It
Bill released 8 albums from 1969-1977 with Sons of Champlin then moved to LA to become a solo artist and session musician, co-writing two Grammy-winning tunes. He was the designated soul singer in Chicago from 1981-2009 and released several solo albums starting in 1990 while continuing to collaborate widely. We discuss "Alone" from Livin' for Love (2021), the title track from He Started to Sing (1995), and "Right On" by Sons of Champlin from Welcome to the Dance (1973). End song: "Plaid" by Chicago from Stone of Sisyphus (1992). Intro: "Please Hold On" from Chicago 17 (1984). Learn more at billchamplin.com. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music. Support us on Patreon.

25 snips
May 19, 2025 • 50min
Ep. 367: Hume on the Foundations of Ethics (Part One)
Explore the intriguing roots of morality as David Hume argues that our ethical sentiments shape our understanding of right and wrong. Discover how cultural differences influence moral perspectives and the role of utility in ethical behavior. The discussion critiques nihilism and examines the delicate balance between sentiment and reason in making moral judgments. Delve into the complex relationship between empathy, individual virtues, and societal norms, revealing how emotional reactions profoundly impact our ethical evaluations.

May 16, 2025 • 49min
PEL Presents PMP#196: Our "Sinners" Shindig
Luvell Anderson, a philosophy professor at the University of Illinois, joins the discussion to dissect Ryan Coogler's film 'Sinners,' starring Michael B. Jordan. They explore themes of black freedom, music, and identity, revealing the film’s rich layered storytelling and artistic nuances. The conversation touches on the film's unique structure, the necessity of its humor, and intriguing character contrasts, particularly through twin brothers facing violence. Anderson also dives into the complexities of artistic expression and creator autonomy in the industry.

May 12, 2025 • 50min
Ep. 366: Edith Stein on Empathy (Part Two)
The discussion dives into Edith Stein's insights on empathy, contrasting direct and indirect experiences. Philosophical implications and moral significance are highlighted, especially regarding how we understand ourselves and others. The speakers explore empathy's evolutionary roots and its existence across species, raising questions about human exceptionalism. Memory's role in empathy is also examined, along with the ethical complexities of empathizing with individuals who commit harmful acts. Insightful debates on fellow feeling vs. emotional contagion further enrich the conversation.