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 10, 2017 • 1h 4min
Episode 167: Hume on Intelligent Design (Part Two)
In this discussion, philosophy scholar Stephen West dives into David Hume's critiques of the design argument in natural religion. He unpacks Hume's view that the debate often devolves into a mere verbal dispute while exploring whether order in the universe signifies a divine design or arises naturally. The conversation also touches on the problem of evil, Hume's skepticism about religion's practical role, and the concepts of fittingness versus optimization in design. Engaging and thought-provoking, this dialogue invites listeners to rethink the nature of belief and design.
Jul 3, 2017 • 47min
Episode 167: Hume on Intelligent Design (Philosophize This! Crossover) (Part One)
This discussion features Stephen West, host of the Philosophize This! podcast, who dives into David Hume's Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion. They explore whether nature's complexity indicates a designer and debate the strength of this argument. Key topics include Hume's skeptical views on traditional theism, the problem of evil, and the distinction between rationalism and empiricism. West and the hosts tackle how natural design arguments intertwine with evolution and discuss the pitfalls of applying causation to God's existence.
Jun 26, 2017 • 1h 35min
Episode 166: Spinoza on Politics and Religion (Part Two)
Concluding on the Tractatus Theologico-Politicus (1670) and Tractatus Politicus (1677). What's the relationship between ethics, reason, and revelation? What could "faith" possibly mean to a hard-core rationalist like Spinoza? Is it possible to buy into the non-denominational "true religion" without believing any of the dogmas of traditional religion at all? And what kinds of limits on free speech is Spinoza committed to? Continued from part one or get the ad-free Citizen Edition. Please support PEL! End song: "Shittalkers" by Ken Stringfellow, as interviewed on Nakedly Examined Music ep. 39.
Jun 19, 2017 • 50min
Episode 166: Spinoza on Politics and Religion (Part One)
On Benedict de Spinoza's Tractatus Theologico-Politicus (1670), ch. 12-20 and the Tractatus Politicus (1677). What's the relationship between ethics and political power? Given that religious factions tend to create strife, what's the optimal role of the government in mitigating that damage? Is theocracy in any way a good idea? Please support PEL!
Jun 12, 2017 • 1h 6min
Episode 165: Spinoza on Biblical Criticism (Part Two)
Continuing on the Tractatus Theologico-Politicus (1670), ch. 1–11. We go more into natural laws vs. ordinances; does it make sense to say that God makes rules for people? Also, how does Spinoza deal with alleged miracles given that natural laws are absolute regularities? Continued from part 1, or get the ad-free Citizen Edition now. Please support PEL! End song: "Spinoza's Dream" by Dave Nachmanoff, as discussed on Nakedly Examined Music #20.
Jun 5, 2017 • 1h 4min
Episode 165: Spinoza on Biblical Criticism (Part One)
Delve into Spinoza's revolutionary views on the Bible as a political tool. Discover his plea for a respectful interpretation that bridges faith and reason without inciting conflict. Explore how the nature of prophecy often reinforces societal norms, shaped by cultural influences and personal imagination. The discussion touches on the pitfalls of viewing miracles as counter to natural law, advocating for a rational understanding of divine phenomena. Ultimately, Spinoza champions religious coexistence amidst doctrinal diversity, urging for governance grounded in reason.
May 26, 2017 • 1h 15min
Nakedly Examined Music: Steve Hackett, Nik Kershaw, Ken Stringfellow, Robbie Fulks
PEL Network crossover magic, featuring clips (a full song plus explanation) from four recent episodes of Mark's other podcast. Hear the full episodes and many more at nakedlyexaminedmusic.com. Steve was the guitarist for Genesis in the 70s, Nik wrote 80s hits like "Wouldn't It Be Good," Ken played with The Posies, Big Star, and R.E.M., and Robbie will change the way you think about country music. Read the NEM FAQ.
6 snips
May 22, 2017 • 1h 21min
Episode 164: Dostoyevsky's "The Idiot" on Perfection (Part Two)
More on the novel with guest Corey Mohler, considering Dostoyevsky qua existentialist in terms of his analysis of the crisis of meaning and his consequent views on religion. Listen to part 1 first, or get the unbroken, ad-free Citizen Edition. Get a Dostoyevsky T-shirt! End song: "Don Quixote" by Nik Kershaw, as interviewed on Nakedly Examined Music #37.
8 snips
May 15, 2017 • 57min
Episode 164: Dostoyevsky's "The Idiot" on Perfection (Part One)
On Fyodor Dostoyevsky's philosophical novel from 1869. Could a morally perfect person survive in the modern world? Is all this "modernity," which so efficiently computes our desires and provides mechanisms to fulfill them, actually suited to achieve human flourishing? Dostoyevsky's Russian existentialism says no! Please support PEL!
May 8, 2017 • 1h 10min
Episode 163: Guest Stewart Umphrey on Natural Kinds (Part Two)
Continuing our interview about Natural Kinds and Genesis: The Classification of Material Entities. Buy Stewart's book at www.rowman.com and use the code LEX30AUTH17 to get 30% off. Listen to part 1 first or get the ad-free Citizen Edition. End song: "Destroy the Box" by Wertico, Cain and Gray from Organic Architecture (2014). Hear Paul Wertico and David Cain interviewed on Nakedly Examined Music #30.
