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
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.
Aug 25, 2025 • 47min
Ep. 374: Discussing Liberalism (Lincoln, et al) with Walter Sterling (Part One)
Join J. Walter Sterling, President of St. John's College, as he dives into the pressing crisis of liberal democracy. The discussion covers Lincoln's insights on political institutions and critiques modern works like Pinker's and Deneen's. Sterling emphasizes the importance of liberal education in combating hyper-partisanship and fostering civic engagement. The conversation also explores the delicate balance between revolutionary change and the rule of law, highlighting how character and education are key in sustaining democratic values and navigating pluralistic beliefs.
Aug 24, 2025 • 53min
PEL Presents PvI#99: Philosophy of Humor w/ Nessa Voss
Nessa teaches philosophy at Lone Star Community College and writes on the philosophy of humor. We thought we should get this topic out before we wrap our season (and Bill's regular participation) and reach 100 episodes. We go through the main theories (superiority, incongruity/surprise, unconscious triggering, i.e. funny because it's true on some level we don't necessarily want to admit). Then Nessa (fictionally) becomes our podcast format consultant. We wrap up by considering the appeal of various stand-up comedians. Hear more at philosophyimprov.com. Support the podcast and listen ad-free at philosophyimprov.com/support.
Aug 23, 2025 • 58min
PEL Presents Closereads: Peter Railton's "Moral Realism" (Wrap Up)
The hosts wrap up their insightful analysis of Peter Railton's 'Moral Realism', engaging with the works of Hume, Kant, and others. They dive into the moral complexities of self-interest versus obligation through the knave dilemma. The discussion links moral philosophy with political identity, contrasting liberal and authoritarian ideologies. They tackle the ethical dilemmas surrounding nationalism and immigration, while questioning the essence of moral obligation and the role of empirical evidence in ethics. Finally, they critique intuitionist theories and tease future talks on Hegel.
Aug 21, 2025 • 5min
Announcement: Mark's "Foundational Political Philosophy Texts" Fall 2025 Class
I bet you’d like to have an excuse to read some Aristotle, and Locke, Rousseau, Simone Weil, and other fun texts. Well, go read about this opportunity at partiallyexaminedlife.com/class, and then follow the link to enroll. Not sure? Watch a sample (a full seminar from last semester on Plato) of what such a class is really like.
12 snips
Aug 18, 2025 • 1h 1min
Ep. 373: Michael Walzer on Just Wars (Part Two)
Dive into the moral maze of just and unjust wars with Michael Walzer's insights. Discover when it might be acceptable to strike first or intervene in another country's affairs. The discussion navigates historical examples like the American Civil War and the Six-Day War, emphasizing the complexities of military justification. Explore the balance between state sovereignty and individual rights during humanitarian crises, and learn how historical context shapes perceptions of intervention. It's a thought-provoking examination of ethics in warfare!
Aug 17, 2025 • 50min
PEL Presents PMP#203: What Superman?
In light of the new James Gunn film Superman, Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al talk about the character, his stories, and past films and shows. Did Zack Snyder (Man of Steel) miss the point? Are the Richard Donner films (chiefly 1978's Superman: The Movie) as good as nostalgia would have us recall them? How does one write a convincing plot centered around a flawless, basically all-powerful hero? How should the Lex Luthor character fit in? 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 16, 2025 • 1h 12min
PEL Presents NEM #236: Tee Templeton's Psychedelic Ending
...OK, maybe not his ending, but it's a late career boost into overdrive: This 66-year-old has been making music since the '80s, but you're only going to find two of his releases on the streaming services right now, and only this new album (released 20 years after the previous one) has the polish to count as a world-conquering, professional release. We discuss two songs from this new album Diner of Doubt: "My Dead Friend," and "I Have a Lotta Dreams," plus "Build Another One" (and the intro, "Chinese Lights") from Might Could Have (2004). End song: "Oh Dee Oh Oh" (2023). More at teetempleton.com. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music. Support us on Patreon. Sponsors: Visit functionhealth.com/NAKEDLY to take control of your health through testing and get $100 off your membership. Check out The 500 with Josh Adam Meyers for discussion of classic albums with cool guests.
8 snips
Aug 11, 2025 • 47min
Ep. 373: Michael Walzer on Just Wars (Part One)
Explore the moral justifications for war with Michael Walzer's insights on self-defense versus aggression. The conversation navigates the complexities of Just War Theory in modern contexts, like the Israel-Palestine conflict. Delve into philosophical dilemmas surrounding state sovereignty, individual rights, and the ethical implications of aggression. Learn about the legalist paradigms that govern warfare and the challenges of enforcing justice in international relations, all while emphasizing the balance between realism and moral values.
Aug 10, 2025 • 53min
PEL Presents Philosophy vs. Improv #98: Ragnarocking
The speakers dive into the art of giving compelling speeches, questioning authenticity in improvisation while tackling commercial pressures. They explore the grammatical quirks and cultural significance of 'Ragnarok,' bringing lightness to serious themes. The conversation shifts to AI in education, balancing its benefits with academic integrity concerns. A humorous take on work-life balance surfaces as they muse about a Bahamas vacation, and they tackle the evolving job market and its implications for income and human connection.
