Philosophy for the People
Patrick Flynn
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 21, 2023 • 1h 45min
Can Reason Lead to God? w/ Dr. Joshua Rasmussen
Joshua Ramussen, author of the newly released book Who Are You Really?, returns to Philosophy for the People to discuss his updated throughts on cosmological reasoning and the nature of persons1
Mar 7, 2023 • 1h 42min
Defending Aquinas's De Ente Argument for God's Existence w/ Dr. Gaven Kerr
Dr. Gaven Kerr discusses objections to Aquinas's De Ente argument for God's existence, delving into metaphysical analysis, ontological pluralism vs. monistic conception, brilliance of Aquinas's arguments, nominalism's challenge, realism vs. nominalism, existential inertia, and objections to Aquinas's philosophy of God.
Mar 2, 2023 • 20min
Best Christian Apologetics Book?
Pat explains why he thinks the best Christian apologetics book is Michael Rota's Taking Pascal's Wager: https://amzn.to/3ml33a1
Feb 24, 2023 • 39min
How Philosophers Think About God | 9 Intriguing Approaches
Pat offers a brief overview of just some of the ways philosophers have argued for the existence of God, whether Leibnizian, Thomistic, Anselmian, etc. Along the way Pat highlights advantages and difficulties facing each approach. Please contribute your thoughts in the comment section. Like, share, and subscribe! PS - Links to deeper conversations on each of these approaches can be found on Pat's substack: https://chroniclesofstrength.substack.com/p/how-philosophers-argue-for-god-a
Feb 15, 2023 • 1h 23min
Sex and Epistemology w/ Dr. Tomas Bogardus
Dr. Tomas Bogardus returns to Philosophy for the People to discuss recent work he's done on whether sex is ambiguous and responding to criticism against his theory of knowledge. Lots covered in this conversation. Please like, comment, share, and subscribe!
5 snips
Feb 9, 2023 • 46min
8 (or so) Responses to the Problem of Evil
Pat highlights 8 (or so) approaches classical theists have taken in response to the evidential problem of evil. The purpose of this video is not to defend any of these approaches, but simply to explain what they are and encourage further study for those interested. For more, see Pat's Substack of the same title: https://chroniclesofstrength.substack.com/p/8-or-so-responses-to-the-problem Please like, comment, share, and subscribe.
Feb 1, 2023 • 44min
Plato's Timaeus pt. 2 w/ Dr. Jim Madden
Pat and Jim continue their series on Plato's Timaeos, with a focus on Plato's natural theology.
Jan 24, 2023 • 1h 57min
Thomism vs. Scotism w/ Dr. Gaven Kerr and Dr. Tom Ward
Joining the conversation are Dr. Gaven Kerr, a Thomism expert and author of 'Aquinas's Way to God', and Dr. Tom Ward, a Scotism aficionado known for 'Ordered by Love'. They engage in a fascinating debate over causality and divine influence, with Kerr and Ward sparring over essential and grounding dependence. They animate the philosophical discourse on individuality using quirky examples like a Furby. The duo also explores various arguments for God’s existence and the implications of their contrasting perspectives on contemporary philosophical thought.
Jan 19, 2023 • 1h 28min
The Papacy w/ Erick Ybarra
Erick Ybarra joins Philosophy for the People to discuss his new book on the papacy, and answer whatever questions you have. Subscribe to Pat's philosophy Substack at: https://chroniclesofstrength.substack.com/
Jan 16, 2023 • 1h 44min
Classical Theism, The Argument from Contingency, and Avoiding Necessitarianism w/ Dr. Kenny Pearce
Dr. Kenneth Pearce returns to Philosophy for the People to (primarily) discuss his development of the argument from contingency for God's existence as framed within the context of metaphysical grounding, and, more specifically, how one can avoid necessitarianism when taking this approach. Along the way, however, many other matters are discussed, including the theoretic virtue of simplicity, the principle of analogy, and the privation theory of evil. If you enjoy this podcast, please like, comment your thoughts, share, and subscribe. Also, check out Pat's philosophy Substack at: https://chroniclesofstrength.substack.com/
