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 11, 2025 • 53min
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.
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 8, 2025 • 54min
PEL Presents PMP#202: 50-Year-Old Jaws Busts Our Block
Purported the first summer blockbuster, Jaws has now hit 50 years, and so we discuss this wonderful early Spielberg film, its ill-conceived sequels, some of the making-of docs, and the legacy of shark/big carnivore films that it spawned. Is the film as flawless as it's made out to be? Are the sequels as awful as typically described? Mark. Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al discuss! 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 4, 2025 • 47min
Ep. 372: Kant's Ethics Lectures (Part Two)
Delve into Kant's intriguing ethical framework where duties to oneself take precedence. Explore the complexities of personal integrity and charity as a moral obligation. Unravel the intricacies of desire, autonomy, and the ethical dilemmas of suicide and self-harm. Examine how societal shame influences our understanding of sexuality and objectification. Discover the layers of love—from erotic connections to ethical obligations—and how they intertwine with personal rights and humane treatment in relationships.
Jul 31, 2025 • 1h 14min
PEL Presents NEM#235: Willie Nile's Poetic Rock Anthems
New York singer-songwriter Willie has released sixteen albums since 1980. He has opened for The Who and Bruce Springsteen, among others, but rejected the major label life after his first two albums. We discuss "An Irish Goodbye" (feat. Paul Brady) from The Great Yellow Light (2025) (and listen at the end to "Wake Up, America" feat. Steve Earle from that album), "Cell Phones Ringing (In the Pockets of the Dead)" from Streets of New York (2006), and the title track from Places I Have Never Been (1991). Intro: "Vagabond Moon" from Willie Nile (1980). 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.
12 snips
Jul 28, 2025 • 49min
Ep. 372: Kant's Ethics Lectures (Part One)
Dive into Kant's intriguing 1785 ethics lectures that reveal deeper insights into ethical motivation. Discover how rationality can spark genuine moral feelings and the balance between self-respect and societal duties. Explore the conflicts between Kant's anti-consequentialism and Aristotle’s virtue ethics. The discussion also contrasts Kant with Hume, addressing moral psychology and the essence of true freedom. With connections to modern culture, even Harry Potter serves as a contemporary lens for understanding Kantian morality.
Jul 27, 2025 • 1h
PEL Presents PvI#97: Peep Dome Pets w/ Merry Mary Hynes
Mary Hynes, a versatile LA Second City improv instructor and pet sitter, shares her humorous journey from sales to animal care. The conversation playfully imagines historical figures as pet owners, while exploring the quirks of exotic animals. They dive into the unique challenges of cat cafes and the philosophical dimensions of human-animal relationships, advocating for mutual care. The episode is filled with whimsical anecdotes about pets and auditions, alongside lively discussions about tabletop games and community in the arts.
Jul 22, 2025 • 53min
PEL Presents PMP#201: John Wick Minus Wick
In light of the new film Ballerina, we discuss the John Wick franchise that kicked off in 2014 with four films plus a (bad) Peacock TV show. We also watched the recent documentary Wick Is Pain. Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn and Al are joined by Brian Casey to mostly talk about the main four films in the series: They have a formula, but is that bad? 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.
4 snips
Jul 21, 2025 • 56min
Ep. 371: Christine Korsgaard on Normativity (Part Two)
The conversation dives into Christine Korsgaard's fresh takes on Kant, focusing on how true autonomy arises from self-generated laws. The speakers examine the connection between personal identity and moral obligations, highlighting the tension between individual decisions and social influences. They also tackle the ethics of shared humanity, stressing that morality requires public reasons rather than self-interest. Additionally, Wittgenstein's arguments reveal the communal nature of meaning, connecting language to morality and underscoring the need for empathy in ethical discourse.
Jul 18, 2025 • 1h 32min
PEL Presents NEM#234: John Kruth the Multi-Hyphenate
John Kruth, a talented multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, shares his rich musical journey shaped by collaborations with legends like Violent Femmes and John Prine. He dives into the creative process behind his recent album, discussing the challenges of blending genres and the personal stories behind key tracks. Kruth also reflects on the intricacies of musical collaboration as well as the influence of iconic artists on his writing. With anecdotes and insights, he captures the essence of his artistic evolution and passion for music.
