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
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.
Aug 26, 2024 • 51min
Ep. 348: Tim Williamson's Knowledge-First Epistemology (Part Two)
In this discussion, philosopher Tim Williamson delves into his Knowledge-First Epistemology, challenging conventional notions of knowledge and belief. He explores the nuances of justification versus excuse, highlighting how we often misinterpret evidence in forming beliefs. Williamson critiques relativism and skepticism with thought-provoking hypotheticals, such as the 'brain in a vat' scenario. The conversation also touches on moral implications of our epistemic views, emphasizing the intertwining of knowledge with ethical judgments.
Aug 25, 2024 • 9min
PREMIUM-PEL End-of-Summer Nightcap 2024
John Ganz, author of a bestselling book, joins Mark, Wes, and Dylan for a lively discussion about contemporary politics and conspiracy theorist psychology. They delve into the connections between post-modernism and today's 'post-truth' discourse, debating its impact on the political landscape. The guests also express relief over having presidential candidates that seem more viable. The conversation further touches on the complexities of conspiracy theories, their appeal, and the authoritarian traits that can emerge from them.
Aug 19, 2024 • 48min
Ep. 348: Tim Williamson's Knowledge-First Epistemology (Part One)
Tim Williamson, a renowned philosopher specializing in epistemology, joins the discussion to explore knowledge-first epistemology—a radical shift from traditional views. He critiques the conventional understanding of justification, truth, and belief, arguing for a definition of these elements in terms of knowledge itself. The conversation delves into historical perspectives from Plato and Descartes, the implications of the Gettier problem, and challenges related to introspection. Williamson's insights pave the way for a deeper understanding of knowledge in the context of contemporary arguments.
Aug 12, 2024 • 38min
Ep. 347: Nyaya Sutra Against Buddhist Skeptics (Part Two)
Dive into a deep philosophical debate about the self as Mark, Seth, and Dylan analyze the Nyaya Sutra versus Buddhist skepticism. Explore the fluidity of selfhood and how Western and Eastern philosophies approach personal identity. The conversation scrutinizes the complexities of memory, desire, and moral responsibility, advocating for a dynamic view of self. Unpacking concepts of causality and perception, they question how our senses relate to identity, bringing rich ideas from Buddhism into the mix. Expect challenging perspectives on existence and consciousness!
