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
May 6, 2024 • 45min
Ep. 340: Brian Ellis on the Implications of Essentialism (Part Two)
Philosophy expert Chris Heath concludes on essentialism's metaphysical implications, discussing mind-independent objects, natural laws, and the relation to higher-level things like colors and human nature. The discussion challenges traditional intuitions and explores uncertainties in understanding reality, emphasizing the active nature of things, categorizations, emergent phenomena, and the interconnectedness of dispositional and essential properties.
Apr 29, 2024 • 42min
Ep. 340: Brian Ellis on the Implications of Essentialism (Part One)
Philosopher Brian Ellis discusses essentialism in physics and chemistry, emphasizing the distinctiveness of atoms and their behaviors. They explore the intrinsic dispositional nature of entities, challenge misconceptions about naming laws to objects, and delve into essentialism's significance in understanding natural laws, necessity, and causality.
Apr 22, 2024 • 53min
PEL 15th Anniversary and Book Release
Hosts reflect on 15 years of podcasting, book release, challenges of editing transcripts, academic recognition, sponsorship, inclusion of underrepresented philosophers, challenges and benefits of automated transcripts, journey to publishing a book, potential of a philosophical chatbot, embodiment of philosophical themes in daily life, lens replacement surgery, vision implant for enhanced vision, and reflections on podcast anniversary.
Apr 15, 2024 • 46min
Ep. 339: Brian Ellis on the Metaphysics of Science (Part Two)
Guest Chris Heath and the host discuss metaphysical realism, natural kinds, properties vs. predicates in science. They explore the complexities of understanding abstract concepts like quantum physics and the challenges of defining natural kinds in chemistry, biology, and physics. The conversation delves into hierarchical structures, dynamical world views, and the importance of dispositional properties in metaphysical discourse.
9 snips
Apr 8, 2024 • 51min
Ep. 339: Brian Ellis on the Metaphysics of Science (Part One)
Philosopher Brian Ellis discusses how the metaphysics of science underlies chemistry and physics, arguing that essential properties define entities like atoms, and scientific laws are necessary in all possible worlds. The podcast explores essentialism in various scientific disciplines, contrasts Hume's views on necessary connections with Descartes', delves into categorization in science, color perception, metaphysical necessity, and the laws of nature.
Apr 1, 2024 • 43min
Ep. 338: Aristotle on Potential vs. Actual and the Unmoved Mover (Part Two)
Exploring Aristotle's ideas on potential vs. actual, the Meno problem, and the Unmoved Mover's influence on beings' actualization. Delving into form, matter, causality, and completeness. Discussing God's contemplation, divinity participation, and order in the universe. Also, analyzing non-natural causation and metaphysical problems in Aristotle's philosophy.
Mar 25, 2024 • 45min
Ep. 338: Aristotle on Potential vs. Actual and the Unmoved Mover (Part One)
Delving into Aristotle's metaphysics, the podcast explores the contrast between potentiality and actuality, discusses the existence of God, and compares Aristotle's dynamic process philosophy with Plato's static forms. It emphasizes understanding potency in various contexts, examining how entities manifest qualities through potency, and exploring examples like water transforming into different states and the growth of an acorn into an oak tree.
Mar 22, 2024 • 10min
PREMIUM-PEL Nightcap w/ Chris Sunami (March 2024)
The podcast discusses the editor's background, meeting celebrities, scientists' attitudes towards philosophy, and future episodes. They explore communication improvement, reflections on fame and interactions, and the complexities of meeting idols.
Mar 18, 2024 • 44min
Ep. 337: Aristotle on Primary Being (Part Two)
Exploring Aristotle's concept of essence and identity, contrasting with Plato. How essences are received from previous things. Essence as the instantiated form with material for thinghood. Aristotle's views on potency, actuality, and unity in organisms and inanimate objects.
Mar 11, 2024 • 45min
Ep. 337: Aristotle on Primary Being (Part One)
Delving into Aristotle's Metaphysics, the podcast discusses primary being as the substantial form in individual animals, challenging previous views on substance and essence. It explores the unity of beings through essence, navigates the paradox of universals and particulars, and delves into the essence of things. The conversation touches on substance as primary being, Aristotle's concept of thinghood, distinctions between animals and plants, and the significance of 'thisness' in defining entities.
