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
Feb 3, 2024 • 11min
PREMIUM-PEL Long Winter's Nightcap (Jan-Feb 2024)
We anticipate our upcoming series on Aristotle's Metaphysics by talking through some preliminary issues about the text including what translations we're reading. Is this book really "timeless," or is it like old, outdated science? Also, what kind of person becomes an ancient philosophy student? Plus (in the full discussion), we talk more about Mounk, Presidential disqualification, and more. If you're not hearing the full version of this discussion, sign up via one of the options described at partiallyexaminedlife.com/support.
Jan 29, 2024 • 54min
Ep. 334: Gabriel Marcel's Christian Existentialism (Part Two)
Continuing on "On the Ontological Mystery" (1933), we talk more about problems vs. mysteries: The latter implicate OURSELVES; we are not merely witnesses, but our involvement complicates things. Also, what makes Marcel an existentialist? Get more at partiallyexaminedlife.com. Visit partiallyexaminedlife.com/support to get ad-free episodes and bonus content including a supporter-exclusive Nightcap anticipating our upcoming series on Aristotle's Metaphysics. Listen to a preview.
Jan 22, 2024 • 42min
Ep. 334: Gabriel Marcel's Christian Existentialism (Part One)
Discussing Gabriel Marcel's essay on the need for meaning; exploration of the meaning of life and ontology; critique of Cartesian subjectivity; an advertisement for Shopify's e-commerce platform; examination of St. John's College and philosophical concepts of being and self; critique of skepticism and the concept of presence; exploration of the significance of chance encounters.
Jan 20, 2024 • 1h 12min
PEL Presents NEM#209: Bruce Hornsby Is a Lifelong Student
Legendary musician Bruce Hornsby discusses his evolution of vocal style, collaborations with artists like Justin Vernon, Ezra Koenig, and James Mercer, the struggle of being a creative person, the inspiration behind his song 'My Resolve', and the process of creating a musical composition. He also talks about his admiration for The Shins and the sonic elements that influenced their collaboration.
12 snips
Jan 15, 2024 • 44min
Ep. 333: Kierkegaard's "Fear and Trembling" on Faith (Part Two)
The hosts discuss Kierkegaard's 'Fear and Trembling' and delve into the meaning of terms like infinite and universal. They explore the concept of the ethical and its connection to God and eternity. They also analyze the role of God's commands in ethical duty and debate the suspension of the ethical and creating a higher ethical framework. The podcast concludes with a discussion on faith and its application in everyday life.
9 snips
Jan 8, 2024 • 45min
Ep. 333: Kierkegaard's "Fear and Trembling" on Faith (Part One)
Explore Kierkegaard's 'Fear and Trembling' and its portrayal of faith through Abraham's story. Delve into the struggles of understanding an ethical ideal and the emotional tone of the 'night of faith'. Discuss Kierkegaard's thoughts on faith and the self and his perspective on faith and community. Also, explore the story of Job and the joy of renewal.
Jan 7, 2024 • 11min
PREMIUM-PEL Winter Nightcap (Concluding 2023)
Hosts reflect on their encounters with spirits, discuss Kierkegaard's philosophy and the role of religion in finding meaning. They explore the challenge of connecting the finite and infinite, delve into the search for transcendence and the significance of making choices to overcome despair.
Jan 1, 2024 • 52min
Ep. 332: Kierkegaard's "Either/Or": The Ethical Self (Part Two)
Balancing individuality and universality, exploring the paradoxical nature of duty, personality and moral relativism, the role of acceptance in morality, Kierkegaard's views on beauty and ownership, and finding meaning in all forms of work.
Dec 25, 2023 • 40min
Ep. 332: Kierkegaard's "Either/Or": The Ethical Self (Part One)
The podcast discusses the balance between the esthetic and the ethical in the development of the personality. They delve into Kierkegaard's recommendations for individual action, the importance of concrete projects, and the significance of work and relationships. They also explore the concept of repentance in relation to love in Christianity and the experience of despair in choosing the ethical life. Lastly, they discuss the essence of marriage and Kierkegaard's views on the concrete self, women, and friendship.
Dec 22, 2023 • 10min
PREMIUM-Ep. 331: Kierkegaard's "Either/Or": The Ethical Life (Part Three)
The hosts explore the stages of despair in Kierkegaard's 'Either/Or', analyzing the concept of maximizing desire satisfaction and delving into the implications. They discuss managing desires without rejecting them and delve into refinement, aesthetic experiences, and living life to the fullest. They explore the concept of finite reflection and its role in prioritizing desires. A discussion of Kierkegaard's 'Either/Or' passage on imperial desires and the journey of the person with insatiable desire towards self-realization and truth.
