Philosophize This!

Discover how a 16th century road rage incident changed Michel de Montaigne's views on death. Learn why he prioritized personal experience over established philosophical systems and how this shaped his engaging writing style. Explore his ideas on mortality, including the belief that true philosophy involves learning to accept death. The discussion also features a humorous analogy involving a goose that encourages listeners to reflect on their own lives.

Dive into the tumultuous Renaissance, where the Church wielded immense power and Google Translate was sorely needed! unpack the misunderstood nature of virtue, revealing its subjectivity in politics and personal morality. Explore the seeds of the Protestant Reformation, fueled by disillusionment and a quest for personal faith. Discover Machiavelli's controversial stance on leadership, where stability trumps morality, and rulers must navigate the tightrope of being loved and feared. Engage with thought-provoking insights that challenge conventional wisdom!

On this episode of the podcast, we begin learning about the Renaissance. We first discuss the Black Death, a bacterial plague that wiped out 30-60% of the population of Europe. We examine how the population crisis caused by the Black Death led to an economic and political crisis that was ultimately the catalyst for a paradigm shift in philosophical thought. We also learn about the Humanist philosopher Erasmus, who, unlike the philosophers we’ve discussed on recent episodes, did not think that fusing faith and reason was a very good idea. It was much simpler than that. All this and more on the latest episode of Philosophize This!Thank you so much for listening! Could never do this without your help. Website: https://www.philosophizethis.org/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/philosophizethis Social:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philosophizethispodcastX: https://twitter.com/iamstephenwestFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/philosophizethisshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of the podcast, we learn about the Christian Aristotelean philosopher St. Thomas Aquinas. We begin by examining a song by The Postal Service which sets the stage for a discussion about how often humans mistake correlation with causation. Next, we learn about Aristotle’s conception of God as “The Unmoved Mover” and his thoughts on the nature of infinity. All of these ideas lead us to St. Thomas Aquinas’ quest to reconcile Aristotelianism and Christianity, which he approaches by arguing that the Christian belief that God created the universe and the Aristotelean belief that the universe has always existed are not mutually exclusive ideas. All this and more on the latest episode of Philosophize This!Thank you so much for listening! Could never do this without your help. Website: https://www.philosophizethis.org/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/philosophizethis Social:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philosophizethispodcastX: https://twitter.com/iamstephenwestFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/philosophizethisshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of the podcast, we discuss the concept of God from a philosophical perspective. We first broaden our definition of God by recalling the multitude of ways that the philosophers we’ve already studied have approached the subject. Next, we examine St. Anselm’s famous “Ontological Argument” in proof of God’s existence, which is strangely reminiscent of a tongue twister Ron Burgundy might use to prepare for his evening newscast. Finally, we learn why Moses Maimonides would say that the first rule of God is, “You do not talk about God.” Or at least, “You do not talk about what God is, only what he isn’t.” All this and more on the latest episode of Philosophize This!Thank you so much for listening! Could never do this without your help. Website: https://www.philosophizethis.org/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/philosophizethis Social:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philosophizethispodcastX: https://twitter.com/iamstephenwestFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/philosophizethisshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dive into the intriguing world of truth through the eyes of three Islamic philosophers. Al Kindi critiques modern media's take on truth. Al Ghazali shares his struggle with skepticism, even to the point of illness. Averroes seeks harmony between philosophy and religion, advocating for their partnership. Explore how these historical thinkers navigate complex cultural landscapes and the timeless quest for understanding in an ever-changing world.

Discover the intriguing mind of Avicenna, who introduces the captivating 'Flying Man' thought experiment. Delve into debates on the mind-body connection, illustrated with quirky examples like a blended iPhone. The discussion navigates Avicenna's impact during the Islamic Golden Age and contrasts it with the stagnation of the Dark Ages. With engaging references and ethical dilemmas around life support, the conversation intertwines ancient philosophy with modern issues, breathing life into timeless questions.

Discover the intriguing life of Boethius, a medieval philosopher wrongfully convicted of treason. His dark days in prison inspire a profound philosophical text exploring the nature of suffering and resilience. Meet Lady Philosophy, a character who embodies wisdom and guides him through despair. Dive into the clash between free will and divine foreknowledge, illuminated by Boethius' reflections. Finally, ponder the fickle nature of fortune and the true path to happiness, all illustrated through relatable anecdotes. A captivating journey into philosophy awaits!

Explore the intriguing journey of St. Augustine, who blended Neoplatonism with Christianity through a divine epiphany sparked by a child. Discover his controversial views on crying babies as sinners and delve into his revolutionary theory of time, where only the present exists. The discussion invites reflection on personal experiences of faith and the perception of reality, encouraging listeners to share their own transformative moments.

On this episode of the podcast, we learn about Plotinus, a Neo-Platonist philosopher who lived in Rome during "the crisis of the third century.” We discuss the difference between religion and philosophy and question whether or not JK Rowling stole parts of Harry Potter’s backstory from Plotinus’ life. We also learn about Plotinus’ Hierarchy of Being and use the phrase “Polaroid picture” more times than Outkast does in their hit song “Hey Ya!”. All this and more on the latest episode of Philosophize This!Thank you so much for listening! Could never do this without your help. Website: https://www.philosophizethis.org/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/philosophizethis Social:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philosophizethispodcastX: https://twitter.com/iamstephenwestFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/philosophizethisshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices