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
Jan 16, 2017 • 52min
Episode 156: Philosophy and Politics Free-Form Discussion (Part One)
How does studying philosophy help you to make sense of the political landscape? Wes, Mark, Dylan, and Seth play pundit and reflect on political rhetoric, elitism, and much more. There is no text for this episode! Freedom! Please support PEL!
Jan 2, 2017 • 1h 53min
Episode 155: Richard Rorty Against Epistemology
On Philosophy and the Mirror of Nature (1979), Part II: "Mirroring." Is a "theory of knowledge" possible? Rorty thinks that any such account will be a fruitless search for foundations. Knowledge is really just a matter of social agreement, and beliefs must be justified from other beliefs, not from any alleged relationship to reality. End song: "The Ghosts Are Alright" from The Bye-Bye Blackbirds (Houses and Homes, 2008), as discussed on Nakedly Examined Music #32. Please support PEL!
Dec 19, 2016 • 1h 43min
Episode 154: Wilfrid Sellars on the Myth of the Given
Lawrence Dallman, a PhD student specializing in Wilfrid Sellars' philosophy, joins to discuss profound ideas surrounding knowledge and perception. They unpack Sellars' critique of the 'myth of the given,' arguing that immediate experiences can't serve as a foundation for knowledge. The conversation explores the necessity of language and conceptual frameworks in understanding sensory experiences. Dallman emphasizes the role of social context in shaping perception, challenging traditional empiricist views, and revealing how thought and language interplay in our understanding of reality.
Dec 5, 2016 • 1h 52min
Episode 153: Richard Rorty: There Is No Mind-Body Problem
On Philosophy and the Mirror of Nature (1979), Part I: "Our Glassy Essence." "The mind" seems to be an unavoidable part of our basic conceptual vocabulary, but Rorty thinks not, and he wants to use the history of philosophy as a kind of therapy to show that many of our seemingly insoluble problems like the relation between mind and body are a result philosophical mistakes by Descartes, Locke, and Kant. With guest Stephen Metcalf of Slate's Culture Gabfest podcast. End song: "Wall of Nothingness" from Sky Cries Mary from This Timeless Turning (1994). Listen to Mark's interview with the band's frontman, Roderick Romero, in Nakedly Examined Music ep. 9. Please support PEL!
Nov 21, 2016 • 1h 28min
Episode 152: Alexis de Tocqueville on Democracy in America (PEL Live!)
Dive into the insights of Alexis de Tocqueville on the precarious nature of democracy and the perennial risk posed by demagogues. Explore his observations on social dynamics, the tension between individualism and community, and the complexities of equality in America. The discussion highlights Tocqueville's critique of materialism and isolation, urging a balance between self-interest and altruism. With a blend of historical context and contemporary relevance, discover how Tocqueville's wisdom remains crucial for navigating today's political landscape.
Nov 7, 2016 • 1h 56min
Episode 151: Edmund Burke’s Conservatism
The hosts discuss Edmund Burke's 'Reflections on the Revolution in France' and its relevance today. They delve into Burke's opposition to abstract principles and rationalism, his views on order, conservatism, and the role of revolution. The chapter also explores Burke's perspective on law, revolution, and necessity. They discuss the challenges of reading and appreciating Burke's writing style and explore the concept of hereditary wealth and rank. The chapter also delves into leadership qualities and the nobility, the rule of law, and the importance of tradition.
Nov 6, 2016 • 1h 18min
PEL Special: Bill Bruford on Nakedly Examined Music #25
NEM now features jazz, hip-hop, classical, folk, and more. Check out all the episodes at nakedlyexaminedmusic.com, where you can subscribe and follow on Facebook. Bill was the original drummer for Yes, a default member of King Crimson, and briefly played with Genesis and the late '70s supergroup U.K., but most of his output has been with his own jazz-inflected Earthworks and Bruford, as rock proved too confining for his rhythmic and tonal creativity.
Oct 24, 2016 • 2h 7min
Episode 150: Guest Peter Singer on Famine, Affluence, and Morality
Mark and Wes interview perhaps the world's most influential living philosopher, then the full foursome discusses. We discuss his ongoing work rooted in his 1971 essay "Famine, Affluence, and Morality," about the warped priorities of our consumerist society: We spend money on luxuries while innocent children overseas die from inexpensively preventable causes. For more about Peter, see www.petersinger.info. End song: "Ann the Word" by Beauty Pill (2015), explored in Nakedly Examined Music #19. Get this and every episode ad-free by becoming a PEL supporter at partiallyexaminedlife.com/support.
Oct 17, 2016 • 1h 21min
Episode 149: Plato’s “Crito”: A Performance and Discussion
Broadway stars Walter Bobbie and Bill Youmans perform Plato's dialogue in which Socrates awaits his execution. Should Socrates defy the verdict and try to escape the city? Socrates says no; that would be ungrateful to the city whose benefits he's enjoyed. Bill joins the full PEL foursome for a lively discussion. End song: "Fall Away" by Mark Lint and the Fake from the album So Whaddaya Think? (2000). Get this and every episode ad-free by becoming a PEL supporter at partiallyexaminedlife.com/support.
Oct 3, 2016 • 2h
Episode 148: Aristotle on Friendship and Happiness
On the final books 8–10 of Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics. What does friendship have to do with ethics? With guest Ana Sandoiu. Get this and every episode ad-free by becoming a PEL supporter at partiallyexaminedlife.com/support.
