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
26 snips
Oct 6, 2025 • 52min
Ep. 377: Emil Cioran's Pessimism (Part One)
The hosts dive into Emil Cioran's bleak yet captivating philosophy, exploring the intersections of art, mortality, and the human condition. They compare Cioran to other thinkers like Nietzsche and Camus while debating his views on freedom, suffering, and the limits of language. Cioran's intriguing claim that disease can enrich our understanding of existence is discussed alongside his critique of philosophy versus poetry. The conversation unveils how Cioran's insights challenge conventional notions of joy, solitude, and the pursuit of salvation.
Oct 4, 2025 • 48min
PEL Presents PvI#102: Pit of Despair w/ Seth Paskin
Mark's Partially Examined Life co-host Seth joins us (i.e. Mark and Mary) to introduce Seth to improv and continue introducing philosophy to Mary. We discuss Seth's attraction to depressing texts, act out couples' therapy and monster beauty parlor, and open up a few philosophical cans of worms: Is truth relative? (Hint: no!) Does outer beauty reflect inner beauty? Hear more at philosophyimprov.com. Support the podcast and listen ad-free at philosophyimprov.com/support.
17 snips
Sep 29, 2025 • 53min
Ep. 376: Plato's "Laws" (Part Two)
Delve into Plato's vision of creating a new state, Magnesia, and the complex laws that govern it. The hosts explore whether laws should persuade or compel obedience, and how philosophical ideas can be made relatable. Discussions on marriage laws reveal interesting insights into natural desires and societal norms. The nocturnal council raises questions about continuous civic engagement, while Plato's critiques of materialism prompt reflections on virtue and divine belief. Can a state's true aim really be the virtue of its citizens?
Sep 28, 2025 • 53min
PEL Presents PMP#206: Abbott Elementary w/o Emmys
For our Emmys/back-to-school episode, we cover the pinnacle of the current network sitcom landscape: The six-time 2025 Emmy nominated 4-year-old sitcom Abbott Elementary. Yes, it lost this year but has won in the past. Mark, Lawrence, Al and West-Philly-resident Sarahlyn discuss the show's Philly-ness and how it integrates cringe humor with realistic depiction of how messed up it is for schools to be so underfunded. Is this a "black show"? 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. Sponsors: Get 50% off Claude AI Pro at Claude.ai/pmp. Try the Stuck in the '80s podcast at sit80s.com.
Sep 26, 2025 • 1h 6min
PEL Presents NEM#238: Eric Andersen Endures
Eric was a major figure in the 1960s NYC folk scene, and his early tunes have been covered by Bob Dylan, Judy Collins, and many others. He's released 22 solo albums plus several live albums and two albums with The Band's Rick Danko as Danko/Fjeld/Andersen. We discuss "Don't It Make You Wanna Sing the Blues" from Dance of Love and Death (2025), "Rain Falls Down in Amsterdam" from Memory of the Future (1998), and "Six Senses of Darkness" from Ghosts Upon the Road (1989). End song: "Time Run Like a Freight Train" from Stages: The Lost Album (recorded 1973). Intro: "Violets of Dawn" from 'Bout Changes and Things (1966). More at ericandersen.com. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music. Support us on Patreon. Sponsor: Visit square.com/go/nem to learn about how Square helps local businesses.
33 snips
Sep 22, 2025 • 48min
Ep. 376: Plato's "Laws" (Part One)
The hosts delve into Plato's later dialogue, exploring the interplay between laws and virtue in an ideal society. They discuss how laws should educate citizens to promote moral character, and the challenges of training both lawgivers and the governed. The conversation highlights the importance of rational arguments for obedience to laws and examines the city-soul analogy. Expect engaging insights into the philosophical implications of creating a just community, and a teaser for the next installment focused on building the perfect city.
Sep 20, 2025 • 10min
PREMIUM-PEL Back-to-School Nightcap 2025
The hosts delve into Steven Pinker's views on Enlightenment and progress, debating the definition of 'progress' and its potential downsides. They then explore Fukuyama's defense of liberal democracy, contrasting it with Pinker's approach. The conversation touches on the impacts of identity politics and institutional failures on democracy, sparking an engaging discussion about current political climates. The segment concludes with an invitation for listener support.
Sep 18, 2025 • 54min
PEL Presents PvI#101: Co-Hostery: Season Five Premiere with Mark and Mary
It is a new era! Merry Mary Hynes is now Mark's co-host, and we do some improv related to that and feel our the degree to which Mary has not studied philosophy. Could it be that we ALL do philosophy whether we know it or not? Also: The Feminist Café, Luce Irigaray, Mark's voice training, an aging child pop star, non-binary preliminaries, gratis post-game chatter, and more. Hear more at philosophyimprov.com. Support the podcast and listen ad-free at philosophyimprov.com/support. Sponsor: Get 15% off at MasterClass.com/IMPROV.
Sep 15, 2025 • 57min
Ep. 375: Luce Irigaray's Feminism (Part Two)
Jenny Hansen, a scholar of feminist thought, delves into Luce Irigaray’s groundbreaking work on the commodification of women. They discuss how societal structures objectify femininity, critiquing the economic underpinnings and patriarchal implications. Hansen highlights the importance of recognizing women as full subjects rather than mere objects. The conversation also explores the cultural narratives surrounding motherhood, the power dynamics of gender, and the philosophical intersections that shape contemporary discussions on identity and agency.
Sep 8, 2025 • 45min
Ep. 375: Luce Irigaray's Feminism (Part One)
In this engaging discussion, Jenny Hansen, an expert on Luce Irigaray, uncovers the nuances of feminist philosophy and identity. They dive into Irigaray's critiques of male-centric thought and the transformative power of embracing femininity in philosophy and society. Key themes include the importance of sexual difference, the commodification of women, and the complexities surrounding gender dynamics. They also reflect on the challenges female philosophers face and critique traditional metaphors, advocating for a more inclusive representation of women's experiences in philosophical discourse.
