The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast
Mark Linsenmayer, Wes Alwan, Seth Paskin, Dylan Casey
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.
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
33 snips
Sep 22, 2025 • 48min
Ep. 376: Plato's "Laws" (Part One)
The hosts delve into Plato's later dialogue, exploring the interplay between laws and virtue in an ideal society. They discuss how laws should educate citizens to promote moral character, and the challenges of training both lawgivers and the governed. The conversation highlights the importance of rational arguments for obedience to laws and examines the city-soul analogy. Expect engaging insights into the philosophical implications of creating a just community, and a teaser for the next installment focused on building the perfect city.
Sep 20, 2025 • 10min
PREMIUM-PEL Back-to-School Nightcap 2025
The hosts delve into Steven Pinker's views on Enlightenment and progress, debating the definition of 'progress' and its potential downsides. They then explore Fukuyama's defense of liberal democracy, contrasting it with Pinker's approach. The conversation touches on the impacts of identity politics and institutional failures on democracy, sparking an engaging discussion about current political climates. The segment concludes with an invitation for listener support.
Sep 18, 2025 • 54min
PEL Presents PvI#101: Co-Hostery: Season Five Premiere with Mark and Mary
It is a new era! Merry Mary Hynes is now Mark's co-host, and we do some improv related to that and feel our the degree to which Mary has not studied philosophy. Could it be that we ALL do philosophy whether we know it or not? Also: The Feminist Café, Luce Irigaray, Mark's voice training, an aging child pop star, non-binary preliminaries, gratis post-game chatter, and more. Hear more at philosophyimprov.com. Support the podcast and listen ad-free at philosophyimprov.com/support. Sponsor: Get 15% off at MasterClass.com/IMPROV.
Sep 15, 2025 • 57min
Ep. 375: Luce Irigaray's Feminism (Part Two)
Jenny Hansen, a scholar of feminist thought, delves into Luce Irigaray’s groundbreaking work on the commodification of women. They discuss how societal structures objectify femininity, critiquing the economic underpinnings and patriarchal implications. Hansen highlights the importance of recognizing women as full subjects rather than mere objects. The conversation also explores the cultural narratives surrounding motherhood, the power dynamics of gender, and the philosophical intersections that shape contemporary discussions on identity and agency.
Sep 14, 2025 • 56min
PEL Presents PMP#205: Fantastical Foursome
What do we expect out of a superhero film? Does it need overqualified dramatic actors? Does it even need a real budget? Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al discuss the various films modeled after Marvel's Fantastic Four comics initiated by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1961. First Steps is clearly the best of them and surpassed our low expectations, with its delivery of a believable family dynamic and a fun retro-futurist production design. Get an ad-free experience, plus bonus talking for this and nearly every episode at patreon.com/prettymuchpop for only the tiniest per-month financial pledge, or you can sign up directly with Apple Podcasts for a subscription for ad-free and bonus material for three of Mark's podcasts together on the Mark Lintertainment Podcasts Channel. Sponsors: Get 15% off an annual membership at MasterClass.com/PRETTY. Check out the That Aged Well podcast.
Sep 8, 2025 • 45min
Ep. 375: Luce Irigaray's Feminism (Part One)
In this engaging discussion, Jenny Hansen, an expert on Luce Irigaray, uncovers the nuances of feminist philosophy and identity. They dive into Irigaray's critiques of male-centric thought and the transformative power of embracing femininity in philosophy and society. Key themes include the importance of sexual difference, the commodification of women, and the complexities surrounding gender dynamics. They also reflect on the challenges female philosophers face and critique traditional metaphors, advocating for a more inclusive representation of women's experiences in philosophical discourse.
Sep 7, 2025 • 50min
PEL Presents PvI#100: Maximizing Turtle Revenue w/ Tim Sniffen and Anthony LeBlanc
Tim Sniffen, a philosophy acorn turned improv sapling, and Anthony LeBlanc, an improv aficionado who loves philosophy, dive into intriguing topics. They explore the Ship of Theseus, blending philosophy with gaming and discussing narrative choices. The conversation flows into Renaissance rivalries, revealing humorous connections between Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. With whimsical tales of turtles and ethical dilemmas, they critique consumer culture while delighting in the absurdity of corporate decisions and the quirks of turtle care.
Sep 1, 2025 • 49min
Ep. 374: Discussing Liberalism (Lincoln, et al) with Walter Sterling (Part Two)
Continuing our discussion of the dangers to and weak points of liberal democracy, including consideration of Patrick Deneen's Why Liberalism Failed (2018) Francis Fukuyama's "Liberalism and Its Discontents" (his 2020 essay), and Steven Pinker's Enlightenment Now (2018). Get more at partiallyexaminedlife.com. Visit partiallyexaminedlife.com/support to get ad-free episodes and tons of bonus discussion.
Aug 31, 2025 • 50min
PEL Presents PMP#204: Naked Gun Rapid Firing
What is the state of the stream-of-gags formula that used to stand tall in the films of the Zucker Brothers (mainly Airplane) and Mel Brooks? A new generation attempts to revive that with a new Naked Gun film. How does this new effort relate to the classic films? Are these kinds of films particularly timeless? Rewatchable? Do young people appreciate this kind of thing? Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and (for the third or so) Al speculate wildly as usual. Get an ad-free experience, plus bonus talking for this and nearly every episode at patreon.com/prettymuchpop for only the tiniest per-month financial pledge, or you can sign up directly with Apple Podcasts for a subscription for ad-free and bonus material for three of Mark's podcasts together on the Mark Lintertainment Podcasts Channel.
Aug 28, 2025 • 1h 17min
PEL Presents NEM#237: Maia Sharp's Homey Subversion
Maia has released ten lush, Americana-influenced singer-songwriter albums since 1997 and has collaborated with artists like Art Garfunkel, Bonnie Raitt, and Trisha Yearwood, and been covered by Cher, Paul Carrack, etc. We discuss "Counterintuition" (and listen to the title track) from Tomboy (2025), "Phoenix" from The Dash Between the Dates (2015), and "A Home" from Fine Upstanding Citizen (2005) (co-written with her father Randy Sharp and popularized in a cover version by The Chicks). Intro: "I Need This to Be Love" from Hardly Glamour (1997). More at maiasharp.com. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music. Support us on Patreon. Sponsor: Visit functionhealth.com/NAKEDLY to take control of your health through testing and get $100 off your membership.
