
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

Jan 8, 2024 • 1h 7min
Substance Dualism w/ Dr. Stewart Goetz and Dr. Charles Taliaferro
Please enjoy this conversation exploring substance dualism. Subscribe if you want. Or not!

Dec 29, 2023 • 1h 22min
Scripture and Metaphysics (plus QnA) w/ Dr. Gaven Kerr
Come hang with Dr. Gaven Kerr as we chat Scripture and Metaphysics. PS - Check out Pat's new book The Best Argument for God: https://amzn.to/48fhsYb

Dec 12, 2023 • 57min
Catholicism and the Problem of God w/ Dr. Mark Spencer
Dr. Mark Spencer has a new Element out called Catholicism and the Problem of God. In this episode, we explore some of the contents of that book, including the apparent tensions that arise between Catholic claims concerning God and philosophy of God, or features of God and features of the world (i.e., problem of evil). For more, check out Pat's philosophy Substack: https://chroniclesofstrength.substack.com Also, Pat's book The Best Argument for God: https://amzn.to/3RFm8Ra

Dec 5, 2023 • 1h 9min
Is God the World's Soul? A Thomistic Critique of Panentheism w/ Fr. James Dominic Rooney
Fr. James Dominic Rooney returns to Philosophy for the People to discuss his recent critique of panentheism. If you like the video, hit like and subscribe to Philosophy for the People for more! More Resources: Pat's philosophy Substack: https://chroniclesofstrength.substack.com/ Pat's book The Best Argument for God: https://amzn.to/3QHzf2N

Nov 29, 2023 • 5min
The Logical Problem of Evil - Is It Dead or Alive?
Pat offers a brief introduction to the logical problem -- or better, logical argument -- from evil (against the existence of God). 👉 More Resources: Pat's philosophy Substack: https://chroniclesofstrength.substack.com/ Pat's book The Best Argument for God: https://amzn.to/3QRBHDP

6 snips
Nov 28, 2023 • 48min
A Brief History of the Problem of Evil w/ Dr. Jim Madden
Dr. Jim Madden discusses the problem of evil and its historical evolution. The podcast covers topics such as the connection between technology and nihilism, animal suffering, co-authoring academic papers, different arguments against the problem of evil, and the concept of skeptical theism. The speakers reflect on personal experiences with pets and express excitement about contributing to the ongoing conversation on this philosophical challenge.

Nov 24, 2023 • 47min
The Value of Knowing: Myth or Reality? The Epistemic Value Question w/ Dr. Jonathan Fuqua
Most of us strongly assume that knowing is valuable. Moreover, that it is valuable to come to truth truth apart from instances of luck. Why? Can we give a good philosophical accounts of this? Dr. Fuqua argues we can, in his recent article "Proper Functionalism, Perfectionism, and the Epistemic Value Problem." That is what we discuss today! More Resources: Pat's philosophy Substack: https://chroniclesofstrength.substack.com/ Pat's book The Best Argument for God: https://amzn.to/3QRBHDP

9 snips
Nov 20, 2023 • 21min
Read Philosophy Like a Pro: Simple Techniques for Deep Understanding
Dive into the world of philosophy with strategies to read and absorb complex texts like a pro. Discover the power of the right mindset and active reading techniques that make engaging with dense material more accessible. Uncover the value of community discussions and reflective thinking to enhance your understanding. Whether you're a novice or looking to deepen your knowledge, these tips will empower you to tackle philosophical ideas with confidence.

Nov 16, 2023 • 6min
The Power of Why: What Philosophy Is and Why Do It
Welcome to Philosophy for the People, where deep thinking meets practical insight. In this episode, we delve into the fundamental nature of philosophy and its significance in our daily lives. Our discussions aim to illuminate how philosophical thinking shapes our understanding of the world. If you find value in our content, please support us by liking this video and subscribing to our channel. We encourage you to join the conversation by commenting below: What got YOU interested in philosophy? For more philosophy action, head to Pat's Substack: https://chroniclesofstrength.substack.com/ Also, check out Pat's new book The Best Argument for God: https://amzn.to/3QFrHxt

Nov 9, 2023 • 7min
Unlocking Reality: Aristotle's 4 Causes Explained!
Dive into the ancient wisdom of Aristotle as we unravel the mysteries of existence with his theory of the Four Causes. In this brief (but hopefully enlightening!) video, we'll explore the fundamental questions that have captivated thinkers for centuries: What is the essence of being? Why do things occur the way they do? Aristotle's answers lie in his Four Causes – Material, Formal, Efficient, and Final. These causes offer a timeless framework that has shaped philosophical thought and our understanding of the world around us. Don't forget to hit 'Like' if you find Aristotle as fascinating as we do, and 'Comment' with your thoughts or questions to join the conversation. Finally, if you're eager for more philosophical explorations, make sure to 'Subscribe' to our channel and turn on notifications to never miss a discussion. MORE RESOURCES Subscribe to Pat's "Journal of Absolute Truth" philosophy Substack at https://chroniclesofstrength.substack.com/ And if you're into philosophy of religion, check out Pat's new book The Best Argument for God: https://amzn.to/467wXQd
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