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The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast

Latest episodes

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11 snips
Jan 6, 2025 • 49min

Ep. 358: Max Stirner's Egoism (Part One)

Dive into the provocative ideas of Max Stirner and his influential work, 'The Ego and Its Own.' Discover how his concepts of egoism challenge conventional morality and their implications for individual autonomy. The discussion also contrasts Stirner's thoughts with those of Nietzsche, exploring freedom and self-ownership. The critique of societal norms uncovers the tension between individual desires and communal harmony. Finally, the talks reflect on the philosophical intersections of morality, authenticity, and the quest for true freedom.
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Jan 5, 2025 • 1h 19min

PEL Presents NEM#226: The Evolution of Iain Matthews (Fairport Convention, Southern Comfort, Plainsong)

Iain started in Britain's Fairport Convention in the late '60s, but quickly left that band to start a couple more and then move to the US for a lengthy solo career. He has in total released close to 50 albums, including many collaborations. We discus the title track from How Much Is Enough (2024), the title track from God Looked Down (1996), and "Road to Ronderlin" by Matthews Southern Comfort from Later That Same Year (1970). End song: "St. Theresa’s Ghost" by Ian Matthews and the Searing Quartet, from Joy Mining (2008). Intro: "Book Song" by Fairport Convention from What We Did on Our Holidays (1969). Learn more at iainmatthews.nl. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music. Support us on Patreon.
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Dec 30, 2024 • 1h 8min

PEL '24-'25 Transition Nightcap

The speakers reflect on the past year's philosophical journey, revealing personal growth and camaraderie. They humorously debate nihilism vs. pessimism, explore the depths of Aristotle's metaphysics, and navigate complex political philosophies. Tensions between wokeness and anti-woke sentiments are examined, shedding light on the divide in ideologies. Discussions on voter engagement offer insights into modern political dynamics. Heartfelt remembrances and philosophical implications of immigration wrap up the engaging conversation.
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Dec 23, 2024 • 53min

Ep. 357: Feuerbach on the Evolution of Philosophy (Part Two)

The discussion delves into Feuerbach's materialist philosophy, challenging Hegel's abstract metaphysics. It explores how material reality shapes our understanding of love, self-awareness, and human connection. The hosts tackle the complexities of subjective experiences versus objective truths, highlighting emotions like pain and pleasure. They also ponder the role of space and time in philosophy and discuss the evolution of ideas leading to future thinkers like Max Stirner. This engaging conversation emphasizes the practical implications of philosophical thought in everyday life.
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Dec 21, 2024 • 59min

PEL Presents PvI#87: Mystic Toaster with Simon Critchley

Simon is a professor at New York's New School for Social Research and moderates the New York Times' philosophy offering, The Stone. He joins Mark and Bill to discuss his new book, On Mysticism: The Experience of Ecstasy, and we used the occasion to explore how art and mysticism might be connected, including engaging in improv rituals. Hear more at philosophyimprov.com. Support the and hear this ad-free at podcast at philosophyimprov.com/support. Check out other Evergreen Podcast offerings.
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13 snips
Dec 16, 2024 • 49min

Ep. 357: Feuerbach on the Evolution of Philosophy (Part One)

Delve into the evolution of philosophical thought with discussions on Feuerbach's journey from theism to materialism. Explore the intricate connections between pantheism, ethics, and human understanding of the divine. The interplay of matter, reason, and spirituality reveals how our conception of God has transformed over time. The ideas of Spinoza, Hegel, and Kant come under scrutiny, challenging traditional theology and advocating for a philosophy grounded in reality beyond mere ideas.
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Dec 14, 2024 • 48min

PEL Presents Subtext: The Sublime Mundane in Conrad Aiken’s “Morning Song of Senlin” (Part 1)

Where the repetitions of ordinary life threaten to overwhelm any sense of the sublime, the poet Conrad Aiken seems to suggest that they can be transformed into a way of being connected to it. The mundane order is, after all, just a part of the cosmic. When we get ready to go to work, it is on a “swiftly tilting planet” that “bathes in a flame of space.” The sun is “far off in a shell of silence,” but its light decorates the walls of our homes. We might wonder, in light of modernity’s crisis of faith, if the sublime is meant to replace the divine, and if so whether what Aiken calls “humble offerings” to a “cloud of silence” are enough. Wes & Erin discuss Aiken’s “Morning Song of Senlin,” and whether humanity’s religious impulses can be fully compensated with an aesthetic or ironic relation to nature and cosmic scale. 
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Dec 12, 2024 • 55min

PEL Presents PMP#186: From Oz Books to Wicked Film

We're coming up on the 125th anniversary of L. Frank Baum's children's book, The Wizard of Oz, and the film version of (the first half of) the musical Wicked has been released. Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn and Al talk about the landmark 1939 film musical, the 1978 film The Wiz, Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel Wicked, the stage musical, the other Oz books by Baum, Maguire, et al, and other films like 1985's Return to Oz and 2013's Oz the Great and Powerful. How does this film stack up to other recent Broadway-to-film adaptations? Will there ever be a faithful film or TV adaptation of the books? 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.
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9 snips
Dec 9, 2024 • 52min

Ep. 356: Feuerbach Against Theology (Part Two)

The discussion dives into Ludwig Feuerbach's critique of theology, emphasizing how societal values shape our concept of God. It contrasts the evolution of Protestantism and Catholicism, highlighting limitations in traditional theology. Philosophical reflections explore the interconnectedness of self-consciousness, human essence, and the divine. The complexities of atheism and varying philosophical perspectives from thinkers like Spinoza to Marx are examined, critiquing Hegel's abstract interpretations while advocating for a materialist understanding of philosophy.
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Dec 8, 2024 • 1h 9min

PEL Presents NEM#225: Loudon Wainwright III, the Reporter-Songwriter

Loudon has released 30 albums since 1970. He's the quintessential singer-songwriter, relying on crafty, personal lyrics delivered dynamically and typically solo, though his studio work has varied in production style and orchestration level over the years. We discuss "How Old is 75" from Lifetime Achievement (2022), "Road Ode (Live)" from Career Moves (1993), and "Be Careful There’s a Baby in the House" from Album II (1971). We wrap up by listening to "Missing You" from Last Man on Earth (2001). Intro: "The Swimming Song" from Attempted Mustache (1973). Learn more at lw3.com. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music. Support us on Patreon.

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