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
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.
Jul 14, 2025 • 48min
Ep. 371: Christine Korsgaard on Normativity (Part One)
Dive into Christine Korsgaard's thought-provoking views on moral obligations and identity. Discover how personal identity shapes our moral responsibilities, and explore the Kantian connection to self-consciousness and duty. The discussion also tackles the intricate relationship between freedom and moral decision-making, challenging traditional rationality notions. Additional insights include innovative health data solutions and creative pest control methods, revealing the diverse intersection of ethics, identity, and practical concerns.
Jul 14, 2025 • 53min
PEL Presents PvI#96: We Allege Humor w/ Mark Schiff & Daniel Lobell
Mark Schiff, a legendary stand-up comedian, teams up with fellow funnyman Daniel Lobell, who shares hosting duties on their podcast, We Think It's Funny. They dive into the contrast between stand-up and improv, plus their humorous take on comedy albums. The duo reflects on bizarre bathroom etiquette involving urinals and navigates the complexities of bad press in entertainment. Their light-hearted banter also touches on planning an absurd company holiday party, illustrating the blend of comedy and life lessons shared through laughter.
Jul 7, 2025 • 49min
Ep. 370: Christine Korsgaard on the History of Ethics (Part Two)
Dive into the complexities of moral philosophy as Christine Korsgaard examines reflective endorsement and its foundations in Hume's ideas. The conversation challenges the interplay of self-interest and virtue, questioning the validity of moral judgments. Ethical dilemmas, such as a family's choice during Nazi rule, highlight the intricacies of loyalty and obligation. Explore the struggle between subjective sentiments and universal morality, all while navigating modern connections and the influence of historical thinkers on ethical reasoning.
Jul 6, 2025 • 58min
PEL Presents PMP#200: Hollywood Studio Antics (feat. The Studio and Erica Spyres)
In immediate reaction to the Apple TV+ Seth Rogan show The Studio, we talk about Hollywood's obsession with itself and how studio dynamics interfere with what exactly we all get to see. Also, what's with the fascination with old Hollywood? What's the appeal of Hollywood gossip? Erica our first-season co-host returns to join Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al. 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. If you enjoy our show, check out the All the Right Movies podcast.
11 snips
Jun 30, 2025 • 48min
Ep. 370: Christine Korsgaard on the History of Ethics (Part One)
Christine Korsgaard dives into the relationship between facts and moral obligations, blending historical views from Hobbes and Hume with her own Kantian philosophy. The conversation highlights the complexities of ethical decision-making and the subjective nature of values. It challenges listeners to consider how personal choices intersect with societal norms, and explores moral motivation through existentialism. Korsgaard's interpretations of normativity reveal deeper implications across ethics, logic, and individual health choices, paving the way for future philosophical explorations.
Jun 29, 2025 • 1h 13min
PEL Presents NEM#233: Jorma Kaukonen (Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna) Is Not Taking This for Granted
This famed finger-style guitarist broke through with Jefferson Airplane's seven albums from 1966-1972, recorded eight with Hot Tuna 1970-1976 (with subsequent reunions by both bands), recorded his first solo album in 1974 and then 10 more from 1981-2025, and has collaborated with John Hurlburt, members of the Grateful Dead, and Janice Joplin. We discuss "In My Dreams" from Ain't in No Hurry (2015), "Been So Long" from River of Time (2009), "Sleep Song" by Hot Tuna from America's Choice (1975). End song: "Hesitation Blues" from Reno Road: Unreleased Tracks from the 60s (1960). Intro: "Embryonic Journey" from Jefferson Airplane's Surrealistic Pillow (1967). More at jormakaukonen.com. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music. Support us on Patreon. If you enjoy our show, check out the All the Right Movies podcast.
Jun 26, 2025 • 1h 4min
PEL Presents PvI#95: The Techucational Edge w/ Khafiz and Nicholas from Invasive Thoughts
Khafiz Kerimov and Nicholas Bellinson teach at St. John's College, and they channeled the educational style of that school into a new podcast called Invasive Thoughts. They join Mark and Bill to talk (and act) about various educational technologies, teacher-student relations, circle-drawing competitions, the passivity of thinking, bad quotation use, and more. Hear more at philosophyimprov.com. Support the podcast and listen ad-free at philosophyimprov.com/support. Sponsors: Go to surfshark.com/improv or use code IMPROV at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! Don’t wait until the next bite—protect your home with Bzigo. Go to bzigo.com/discountBUZZ10 to save 10% off.
Jun 23, 2025 • 47min
Ep. 369: Philippa Foot's Naturalistic Ethics (Part Two)
Dive into the intricacies of moral reasoning with a focus on promise-keeping and its ethical implications. Explore how moral and natural goodness intersect, with thought-provoking examples like the trolley problem. Delve into the nuances of naturalistic ethics and the differences between human and animal moral frameworks. The conversation tackles complex topics like Moore's open question argument, emphasizing the interplay between moral obligations and personal circumstances. Engage with themes of integrity, rationality, and social responsibility in ethical decision-making.
