
Philosophy for the People
Philosophy for the People’s mission is an educational program aimed at overcoming the paucity of serious, fair-minded, and accessible philosophical discourse available to a popular audience. Though we are ourselves dedicated to the Catholic intellectual tradition, we are likewise committed to exploring ideas from all rigorous traditions of philosophizing (scholastic, classical, analytic, and phenomenological). We pursue this mission by providing long-form guided readings of great texts, discussions with expert guests, our own open-ended philosophical discussions of issues and thinkers, live question and answer opportunities, in depth lecture courses, and our own articles and book-length writings. Philosophy for the People’s pedagogical materials will be provided either without charge or for minimal cost to assure provision of broad access to first-rate philosophical education.
Latest episodes

Sep 14, 2022 • 1h 13min
Discussing Divine Simplicity and the Essence/Energies Distinction w/ Dr. Mark Spencer
Many have supposed that divine simplicity does not play well with the essence/energies distinction. Dr. Mark Spencer disagrees, and believes the two commitments are compatible. He joins Philosophy for the People to discuss! Here's a link to Dr. Spencer's (must get) book: https://amzn.to/3QKPfii Phil for People Links/Resources Phil for People website: http://www.philosophyforthepeople.com Phil for People on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/PhilosophyforthePeople Pat's Substack: https://chroniclesofstrength.substack.com/ Jim's Substack: https://substack.com/jdmadden Pat's "pay what you want" courses: https://pftp.gumroad.com/ Jim's "pay what you want courses: https://jmadden.gumroad.com/ Philosophy for the People on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2TI4Vcy8IPRHHPXRdqMpbG Philosophy for the People on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/philosophy-for-the-people/id1639532152

Sep 13, 2022 • 2h 20min
Metaphysical Causation and the Existence of God w/ Dr. Joshua Sijuwade
Dr. Joshua Sijuwade joins Philosophy for the People to discuss a recent paper he's published on grounding and the existence of God. Phil for People Links/Resources Phil for People website: http://www.philosophyforthepeople.com Phil for People on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/PhilosophyforthePeople Pat's Substack: https://chroniclesofstrength.substack.com/ Jim's Substack: https://substack.com/jdmadden Pat's "pay what you want" courses: https://pftp.gumroad.com/ Jim's "pay what you want courses: https://jmadden.gumroad.com/ Philosophy for the People on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2TI4Vcy8IPRHHPXRdqMpbG Philosophy for the People on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/philosophy-for-the-people/id1639532152

Sep 12, 2022 • 50min
Cognitive Science of Religion and Classical Theism w/ Dr. Tyler McNabb
Pat is joined by Dr. Tyler McNabb to discuss epistemology, cognitive science of religion, classical theism, and, time permitting, the simulation hypothesis! Phil for People Links/Resources Phil for People website: http://www.philosophyforthepeople.com Phil for People on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/PhilosophyforthePeople Pat's Substack: https://chroniclesofstrength.substack.com/ Jim's Substack: https://substack.com/jdmadden Pat's "pay what you want" courses: https://pftp.gumroad.com/ Jim's "pay what you want courses: https://jmadden.gumroad.com/ Philosophy for the People on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2TI4Vcy8IPRHHPXRdqMpbG Philosophy for the People on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/philosophy-for-the-people/id1639532152

Sep 9, 2022 • 38min
QnA - Russel's Teapot, Naturalism, Top Gun
Pat and Jim share what they're reading then take questions from the audience, including their thoughts on Russel's Teapot, arguments for naturalism, and the movie Top Gun Maverick! Phil for People Links/Resources Phil for People website: http://www.philosophyforthepeople.com Phil for People on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/PhilosophyforthePeople Pat's Substack: https://chroniclesofstrength.substack.com/ Jim's Substack: https://substack.com/jdmadden Pat's "pay what you want" courses: https://pftp.gumroad.com/ Jim's "pay what you want courses: https://jmadden.gumroad.com/ Philosophy for the People on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2TI4Vcy8IPRHHPXRdqMpbG Philosophy for the People on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/philosophy-for-the-people/id1639532152

Sep 8, 2022 • 40min
The Extended Mind Hypothesis w/ Dr. Jim Madden
Pat and Jim explore the extended mind hypothesis as promoted by Andy Clark and David Chalmers. Visit our new website at http://www.philosophyforthepeople.com Phil for People Links/Resources Phil for People website: http://www.philosophyforthepeople.com Phil for People on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/PhilosophyforthePeople Pat's Substack: https://chroniclesofstrength.substack.com/ Jim's Substack: https://substack.com/jdmadden Pat's "pay what you want" courses: https://pftp.gumroad.com/ Jim's "pay what you want courses: https://jmadden.gumroad.com/ Philosophy for the People on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2TI4Vcy8IPRHHPXRdqMpbG Philosophy for the People on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/philosophy-for-the-people/id1639532152

Sep 7, 2022 • 58min
Thinking Through External World Skepticism w/ Lydia McGrew
Time for another philosophy-filled episode! This time, Pat is joined by Dr. Lydia McGrew to help us think through external world skepticism. Is there really a world beyond our minds, or might everything we experience be the result of some malignant spirit manipulating our thoughts, as Descartes once suggested? Most people refuse to take these absurd hypotheticals seriously, but philosophers have often struggled to articulate just why these situations are, in fact, irrational. Fortunately, Dr. McGrew has some really good published material on the problem of external world skepticism, which we discuss in this episode. You can learn more about Lydia McGrew at her website http://www.lydiamcgrew.com/ Phil for People Links/Resources Phil for People website: http://www.philosophyforthepeople.com Phil for People on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/PhilosophyforthePeople Pat's Substack: https://chroniclesofstrength.substack.com/ Jim's Substack: https://substack.com/jdmadden Pat's "pay what you want" courses: https://pftp.gumroad.com/ Jim's "pay what you want courses: https://jmadden.gumroad.com/ Philosophy for the People on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2TI4Vcy8IPRHHPXRdqMpbG Philosophy for the People on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/philosophy-for-the-people/id1639532152

Sep 1, 2022 • 1h 3min
Is Scientific Explanation Incompatible with Naturalism? w/ Dr. Tomas Bogardus
Dr. Tomas Bogardus returns to Philosophy for the People to discuss his latest paper, If Naturalism Is True, then Scientific Explanation Is Impossible: https://philarchive.org/rec/BOGINI Phil for People Links/Resources Phil for People website: http://www.philosophyforthepeople.com Phil for People on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/PhilosophyforthePeople Pat's Substack: https://chroniclesofstrength.substack.com/ Jim's Substack: https://substack.com/jdmadden Pat's "pay what you want" courses: https://pftp.gumroad.com/ Jim's "pay what you want courses: https://jmadden.gumroad.com/ Philosophy for the People on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2TI4Vcy8IPRHHPXRdqMpbG Philosophy for the People on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/philosophy-for-the-people/id1639532152

Aug 30, 2022 • 40min
Aristotle's Politics | Book 2 - Summary and Commentary
Join a lively discussion about the joys and challenges of parenting, peppered with humorous anecdotes. Discover the clash between Aristotle and Plato's political philosophies, especially regarding family and community ties. Dive into Aristotle's thoughts on private property and public spaces, with amusing examples illustrating responsibility. Cultural influences on communal living in Japan add depth to the conversation, while critiques of communal property and individual virtues provoke thought. The duo also teases exciting plans for future philosophical adventures!

Aug 29, 2022 • 29min
2 Beginner Philosophy Books
Pat summarizes and recommends two great beginner philosophy books by Mortimer J. Adler: 10 Philosophical Mistakes and 6 Great Ideas. Please like, share, comment, and subscribe! Phil for People Links/Resources Phil for People website: http://www.philosophyforthepeople.com Phil for People on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/PhilosophyforthePeople Pat's Substack: https://chroniclesofstrength.substack.com/ Jim's Substack: https://substack.com/jdmadden Pat's "pay what you want" courses: https://pftp.gumroad.com/ Jim's "pay what you want courses: https://jmadden.gumroad.com/ Philosophy for the People on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2TI4Vcy8IPRHHPXRdqMpbG Philosophy for the People on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/philosophy-for-the-people/id1639532152

Aug 23, 2022 • 11min
Important Podcast Updates (Please Listen)
Pat talks about how his podcast is splitting up. Don't worry, all the content will be the same, more plentiful, in fact. There will just be different channels to access different subjects. Below are the relevant links so you can subscribe to whatever interests you! The Pat Flynn Fitness Show on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-pat-flynn-show/id1253261458 The Pat Flynn Fitness Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/supmuhhumbruh Philosophy for the People on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2TI4Vcy8IPRHHPXRdqMpbG Philosophy for the People on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/philosophy-for-the-people/id1639532152 Philosophy for the People on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/PhilosophyforthePeople Pat's Gumroad supporting listeners program: https://pftp.gumroad.com/l/ssybu