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
38 snips
Oct 21, 2024 • 49min
Ep. 353: Reid on Visual Knowledge (Part One)
Dive into the intriguing world of visual knowledge, where perception meets philosophy! The discussion navigates optical illusions and the mechanics of sight, revealing complexities in how we interpret sensory experiences. Explore the relationship between visual sensation and geometric frameworks, examining the differences between two and three-dimensional perceptions. A look at human cognition highlights the universal ability to read emotions visually. Philosophical critiques of causality challenge conventional beliefs about reality and perception.
Oct 14, 2024 • 49min
Ep. 352: Thomas Reid on Smelling and Knowledge (Part Two)
Dive into the intriguing world of Thomas Reid's philosophy, where human perception is put under the microscope. Discover how the senses of smell connect to memory and imagination, revealing our unique experience of reality. The debate between Aristotelian and Cartesian thought unveils the complexities of sensation and belief. Reid's critique of skepticism champions common sense as a path to understanding. Join a lively exploration of how sensory experiences shape our knowledge and the fascinating exchange between Reid and Hume.
Oct 7, 2024 • 55min
Ep. 352: Thomas Reid on Smelling and Knowledge (Part One)
Delve into Thomas Reid's critique of modern philosophy's misconceptions about perception. Discover how our senses, especially smell, reveal deeper truths about reality, challenging traditional epistemological frameworks. Explore the relationships between sensory experiences and knowledge, emphasizing the complexity of human cognition. Engage with the philosophical battle against skepticism and the historical significance of language in shaping our understanding. Uncover how our sensory perceptions construct our reality, particularly through the fascinating lens of scent.
Oct 5, 2024 • 14min
PREMIUM-Ep. 351: Sophie Grace Chappell on Transgender (Part Two)
Dive into a thought-provoking discussion on transgender identity and philosophy. The conversation tackles the nuances of gender as a cluster concept, emphasizing individual experiences over essentialism. Explore the ethical implications of gender rights and how societal expectations intersect with personal identities. From the intricacies of terms to the practicalities of sports and bathrooms, this insightful dialogue reveals the complexities that shape transgender experiences and the ongoing quest for equity.
7 snips
Sep 30, 2024 • 53min
Ep. 351: Guest Sophie Grace Chappell on Transgender (Part One)
Join Sophie Grace Chappell, a British philosophy professor and author of "Trans Figured," as she discusses the intricate relationship between gender identity and societal norms. The conversation navigates the balance between biological differences and gender as a social construct, advocating for empathy and justice. Chappell also critiques traditional views of identity, emphasizing personal narratives and the need for fluid definitions of gender. The evolving feminist perspectives on trans inclusion and the role of language in shaping discourse round out this insightful discussion.
Sep 23, 2024 • 52min
Ep. 350: Rorty on Justification and Essentialism (Part Two)
Richard Rorty, a key figure in pragmatism and anti-authoritarianism, shares provocative ideas on truth and democracy. He argues against the necessity of a theory of truth, claiming it can undermine democratic values. The conversation dives into truth's cultural variability and how language shapes our beliefs and political discourse. Rorty critiques philosophies that support totalitarianism, emphasizing inclusive understanding in political debates. He encourages a cultivated sense of wonder, underscoring its role in personal transformation and societal progress.
9 snips
Sep 16, 2024 • 51min
Ep. 350: Rorty on Justification and Essentialism (Part One)
Philosopher Richard Rorty, known for his influential thoughts on pragmatism and anti-authoritarianism, dives into powerful ideas about democracy and truth. He argues that we don't need absolute truths to justify democratic values. Rorty dismisses the distinction between essential and accidental properties, proposing that everything is defined by its relations. The conversation also humorously navigates the divide between continental and analytic philosophies, championing a shift toward pan-relationalism to understand reality.
Sep 9, 2024 • 51min
Ep. 349: Rorty's Pluralistic Pragmatism (Part Two)
Delve into Richard Rorty's views on pragmatism and religion, where he challenges the idea of privatizing beliefs and emphasizes the need for shared rationality. Explore the connections between pragmatism and greatness through human cooperation, critiquing existential ideals. Discuss the dynamics of consensus in a pluralistic society, alongside the role of skepticism. The conversation also highlights the significance of self-examination and the communal aspects of belief, revealing how poetry can foster a non-hierarchical approach to philosophical discourse.
Sep 6, 2024 • 15min
PREMIUM-Closereads: Merleau-Ponty on the Body
Dive into Merleau-Ponty's transformative ideas on perception and the body. Discover how perception alters our understanding of objects, illustrated through the example of a house. Hear reflections on the philosophical landscapes shaped by thinkers like Heidegger. Explore the nuances of immediate versus derived perspectives and how they inform our experiences. Engage in a discussion that bridges phenomenological methodology with the essence of reality, all while connecting past philosophical dialogues to modern interpretations.
Sep 2, 2024 • 47min
Ep. 349: Rorty's Pluralistic Pragmatism (Part One)
This discussion dives into Richard Rorty's unapologetic pragmatism, challenging authoritarian views on democracy and truth. The speakers examine how individual judgment shapes beliefs within a community, arguing that ethics and morality should evolve through collective dialogue. They tackle the differences between resemblance and representation in knowledge, and the dangers of discarding objective truths, cautioning against subjective tyranny. Additionally, the complexities of consensus in defining truth are explored, particularly regarding religion and its societal implications.
