

Majesty of Reason Philosophy Podcast
Majesty of Reason
A podcast that explains, analyzes, and evaluates philosophical issues. Buckle up for philosophy of religion, metaphysics, and philosophy of time.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 21, 2025 • 43min
Pascal's Wager: A Crash Course
Are you rationally required to believe in God? Let's find out...Like the show? Help it grow! Consider becoming a patron (thanks!): https://www.patreon.com/majestyofreasonIf you wanna make a one-time donation or tip (thanks!): https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/josephcschmidOUTLINE0:00 Intro0:18 Expected Utility Theory7:17 Pascal’s Wager14:48 Pascal’s Wager14:58 Doxastic involuntarism19:53 Self-interest objection21:28 Many gods objection27:17 Fanaticism objection37:23 Mixed strategies objection40:38 Other Pascalian wagers42:14 ConclusionLINKS(1) Al Hajek and Liz Jackson, "Pascalian Expectations and Explorations": https://philpapers.org/archive/HAJPEA.pdf(2) My video with Liz and Al on Pascal's Wager: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeSICId7Yhw(3) Some of Liz' Jackson's papers on Pascal's wager: (i) https://philpapers.org/rec/JACFTP-2 (ii) https://philpapers.org/rec/JACAPD-9 (iii) https://philpapers.org/rec/JACSPW(4) Some of Al Hajek's papers on Pascal's wager: (i) https://philpapers.org/rec/HJEWWO (ii) https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/pascal-wager/(5) An earlier video I made with Liz on Pascal's Wager: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qTC7OZB_1A(6) My Springer book: (a) https://www.amazon.com/Existential-Inertia-Classical-Theistic-Proofs/dp/3031193148/ (b) https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-19313-2(7) The Majesty of Reason: A Short Guide to Critical Thinking in Philosophy: https://www.amazon.com/Majesty-Reason-Critical-Thinking-Philosophy/dp/B086FW6XV4THE USUAL...Follow the Majesty of Reason podcast! https://open.spotify.com/show/4Nda5uNcGselvKphtKSKvHJoin the Discord and chat all things philosophy! https://dsc.gg/majestyofreasonMy website: https://josephschmid.comMy PhilPeople profile: https://philpeople.org/profiles/joseph-schmid

Dec 7, 2025 • 41min
The SECRET SAUCE for publishing in philosophy
How do you publish philosophy papers? Here you learn all the tricks of the trade.Like the show? Help it grow! Consider becoming a patron (thanks!): https://www.patreon.com/majestyofreasonIf you wanna make a one-time donation or tip (thanks!): https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/josephcschmidOUTLINE0:00 Intro and Outline0:30 Preliminaries and pro-tips4:40 How to choose a topic18:17 How to do research22:45 How to outline25:21 The writing process30:49 The submission process40:27 Final thoughtsLINKS(1) This was a talk given to Reason & Rationality: https://www.reasonandrationality.com/(2) If you liked this video, you'll love my Doing Philosophy playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxRhaLyXxXkbOGcxCZPjybRASmKynBfGN(3) My Springer book: (a) https://www.amazon.com/Existential-Inertia-Classical-Theistic-Proofs/dp/3031193148/ (b) https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-19313-2THE USUAL...Follow the Majesty of Reason podcast! https://open.spotify.com/show/4Nda5uNcGselvKphtKSKvHJoin the Discord and chat all things philosophy! https://dsc.gg/majestyofreasonMy website: https://josephschmid.comMy PhilPeople profile: https://philpeople.org/profiles/joseph-schmid

Nov 23, 2025 • 32min
Do racist beliefs wrong others?
Here's a crash course on doxastic wronging. The central question is: can merely believing something about others wrong them?Like the show? Help it grow! Consider becoming a patron (thanks!): https://www.patreon.com/majestyofreasonIf you wanna make a one-time donation or tip (thanks!): https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/josephcschmidOUTLINE0:00 Intro0:30 Cases3:18 Definitions7:40 Significance9:47 Master Argument for Doxastic Wronging16:00 Outward actions argument20:11 The problem of control25:05 The coordination problem30:12 Going further & resources31:16 ConclusionLINKS(1) Basu and Schroeder, "Doxastic Wronging": https://philarchive.org/archive/BASDW(2) Schroeder, "Sins of Thought": https://philpapers.org/archive/SCHSOT-39.pdf(3) Enoch and Spectre, "There is no such thing as doxastic wronging": https://philpapers.org/archive/ENOTIN.pdf(4) My Epistemology playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxRhaLyXxXkZhajIOE7Q2FkwuuAS-8Z3C(5) How to Analyze Arguments Like a Philosopher: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uD5_2p-vUjs(6) My Springer book: (a) https://www.amazon.com/Existential-Inertia-Classical-Theistic-Proofs-ebook/dp/B0BNMHRW63 (b) https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-19313-2THE USUAL...Follow the Majesty of Reason podcast! https://open.spotify.com/show/4Nda5uNcGselvKphtKSKvHJoin the Discord and chat all things philosophy! https://dsc.gg/majestyofreasonMy website: https://josephschmid.comMy PhilPeople profile: https://philpeople.org/profiles/joseph-schmid

Nov 20, 2025 • 2h
Did Jesus rise from the dead?
Today Jimmy Akin and Dr. James Fodor debate whether Jesus rose from the dead.Like the show? Help it grow! Consider becoming a patron (thanks!): https://www.patreon.com/majestyofreasonIf you wanna make a one-time donation or tip (thanks!): https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/josephcschmidOUTLINE0:00 Intro0:57 James’ opening statement21:55 Jimmy’s opening statement49:26 Open discussion1:54:45 Concluding statementsRESOURCES(1) Jimmy's YouTube channel: @JimmyAkin (2) Jimmy's website: https://jimmyakin.com/(3) Jimmy's Catholic Answers profile: https://www.catholic.com/profile/jimmy-akin(4) Jimmy's books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0034PT6OE/allbooks(5) James’ website: https://jamesfodor.com/(6) James’ book, “Unreasonable Faith”: https://www.amazon.com/Unreasonable-Faith-William-Overstates-Christianity/dp/1912701189(7) James’ YouTube channel: @JamesFodor (8) My Springer book: (a) https://www.amazon.com/Existential-Inertia-Classical-Theistic-Proofs/dp/3031193148/ (b) https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-19313-2THE USUAL...Follow the Majesty of Reason podcast! https://open.spotify.com/show/4Nda5uNcGselvKphtKSKvHJoin the Discord and chat all things philosophy! https://dsc.gg/majestyofreasonMy website: https://josephschmid.comMy PhilPeople profile: https://philpeople.org/profiles/joseph-schmid

Nov 15, 2025 • 1h 38min
Philosophers RESPECTFULLY debate physicalism and dualism
David Papineau and Brian Cutter debate physicalism, dualism, and much more besides. Buckle up for some juicy philosophy.Like the show? Help it grow! Consider becoming a patron (thanks!): https://www.patreon.com/majestyofreasonIf you wanna make a one-time donation or tip (thanks!): https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/josephcschmidOUTLINE0:00 Intro0:58 Causal argument9:28 Epiphenomenalism14:12 Overdetermination21:12 Denying causal closure33:15 History-independence argument1:03:45 Causal closure again1:23:04 Intuition of distinctness1:37:37 ConclusionRESOURCES(1) David's website (with all his papers): https://www.davidpapineau.co.uk/(2) David's paper on the causal argument for physicalism, "The Rise of Physicalism": https://www.davidpapineau.co.uk/uploads/1/8/5/5/18551740/papineau_in_gillett_and_loewer.pdf(3) Brian's website (with all his papers): https://sites.google.com/site/cutterbc/home(4) My interview with Brian on arguments for dualism: https://youtu.be/RTGDbfr7S9E?si=MJPGwSZlqe3K0iAi(5) My interview with Brian on arguments against dualism: https://youtu.be/p41Ir-_9E-k?si=K6WAhobyLdcWfdTz(6) Brian's anti-physicalist arguments tier list: https://benthams.substack.com/p/anti-physicalist-arguments-a-tier(7) My Philosophy of Mind playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxRhaLyXxXkaqPW8ZSTTi1u2oKkRfN1yn(8) My Springer book: (a) https://www.amazon.com/Existential-Inertia-Classical-Theistic-Proofs/dp/3031193148/ (b) https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-19313-2THE USUAL...Follow the Majesty of Reason podcast! https://open.spotify.com/show/4Nda5uNcGselvKphtKSKvHJoin the Discord and chat all things philosophy! https://dsc.gg/majestyofreasonMy website: https://josephschmid.comMy PhilPeople profile: https://philpeople.org/profiles/joseph-schmid

Nov 9, 2025 • 1h 10min
Philosophers DEBATE whether souls exist
In this live debate, universe-renowned eminent philosophers debate whether we have souls. Who wins: dualism or physicalism?Like the show? Help it grow! Consider becoming a patron (thanks!): https://www.patreon.com/majestyofreasonIf you wanna make a one-time donation or tip (thanks!): https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/josephcschmidOUTLINE0:00 Intro1:24 Defining physicalism3:03 Defining dualism4:24 Structure of the debate5:43 Mary’s Room Argument23:03 Causal Exclusion Argument40:14 Personal Identity Argument57:17 Track Record ArgumentLINKS(1) This was a simulated debate for Reason & Rationality: https://www.reasonandrationality.com/(2) My Philosophy of Mind playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxRhaLyXxXkaqPW8ZSTTi1u2oKkRfN1yn(3) Noah's website: https://noahdmckay.wordpress.com/(4) Flo's excellent substack: https://morallawwithin.substack.com/(5) Flo's hilarious X/Twitter account: https://x.com/morallawwithin(6) Amos' excellent substack: https://substack.com/@amoswollen(7) Amos' YouTube Channel: @going_awoll (8) My Springer book: (a) https://www.amazon.com/Existential-Inertia-Classical-Theistic-Proofs/dp/3031193148/ (b) https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-19313-2THE USUAL...Follow the Majesty of Reason podcast! https://open.spotify.com/show/4Nda5uNcGselvKphtKSKvHJoin the Discord and chat all things philosophy! https://dsc.gg/majestyofreasonMy website: https://josephschmid.comMy PhilPeople profile: https://philpeople.org/profiles/joseph-schmid

Sep 14, 2025 • 1h 15min
How to Publish a Paper
just take a paper, and then publish it. the end

Sep 1, 2025 • 2h 6min
Does Fine-Tuning PROVE God's Existence?
Is fine-tuning powerful evidence for theism? Troy Dana and Matthew Adelstein debate this question and more!LINKS (1) Troy's channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Friction (2) Troy's other links: https://link.space/@Friction (3) Troy's PhilPapers profile: https://philpeople.org/profiles/troy-dana (4) Troy's substack post criticizing the fine-tuning argument: https://fric.substack.com/p/cosmological-fine-tuning (5) Matthew's channel: https://www.youtube.com/@deliberationunderidealcond5105 (6) Matthew's substack post, "Fine-Tuning, Made by God": https://benthams.substack.com/p/fine-tuning-made-by-god (7) Matthew's substack post, "The Fine-Tuning Argument Simply Works": https://benthams.substack.com/p/the-fine-tuning-argument-simply-works (8) Matthew's PhilPapers profile: https://philpeople.org/profiles/matthew-adelstein (9) My Design Arguments playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxRhaLyXxXkax5OrwZmkqE1fY446O4i6g (10) My Bonus Soccer playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxRhaLyXxXkb7WN8KlASj2P9ewLpXGeML (11) My Springer book with Dan Linford: (a) https://www.amazon.com/Existential-Inertia-Classical-Theistic-Proofs/dp/3031193148/ (b) https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-19313-2 THE USUAL...Follow the Majesty of Reason podcast! https://open.spotify.com/show/4Nda5uNcGselvKphtKSKvH Join the Discord and chat all things philosophy! https://dsc.gg/majestyofreason My website: https://josephschmid.com My PhilPeople profile: https://philpeople.org/profiles/joseph-schmid

Aug 31, 2025 • 36min
How to Make Academic YouTube Videos
Here's a crash course on how to make compelling, rigorous, and accessible YouTube videos.Like the show? Help it grow! Consider becoming a patron (thanks!): https://www.patreon.com/majestyofreasonIf you wanna make a one-time donation or tip (thanks!): https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/josephcschmidOUTLINE0:00 Intro3:27 Tips for aspiring YouTubers18:45 Tips for AcademyTube28:33 How to make a video35:22 ConclusionLINKS(1) This was a talk given to Reason & Rationality: https://www.reasonandrationality.com/(2) If you liked this video, you'll love my Doing Philosophy playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxRhaLyXxXkbOGcxCZPjybRASmKynBfGN(3) My Springer book: (a) https://www.amazon.com/Existential-Inertia-Classical-Theistic-Proofs/dp/3031193148/ (b) https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-19313-2THE USUAL...Follow the Majesty of Reason podcast! https://open.spotify.com/show/4Nda5uNcGselvKphtKSKvHJoin the Discord and chat all things philosophy! https://dsc.gg/majestyofreasonMy website: https://josephschmid.comMy PhilPeople profile: https://philpeople.org/profiles/joseph-schmid

Aug 30, 2025 • 1h 17min
Philosophers DEBATE God's existence
An atheist, agnostic, and theist walk into a debate...Like the show? Help it grow! Consider becoming a patron (thanks!): https://www.patreon.com/majestyofreasonIf you wanna make a one-time donation or tip (thanks!): https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/josephcschmidOUTLINE0:00 Intro1:23 Preliminaries4:20 Contingency argument26:05 Fine-tuning argument42:05 Problem of evil53:45 Divine hiddenness1:06:33 The case for agnosticismLINKS(1) This was a simulated debate for Reason & Rationality: https://www.reasonandrationality.com/(2) Noah's website: https://noahdmckay.wordpress.com/(3) Flo's substack: https://morallawwithin.substack.com/(4) Flo's hilarious X/Twitter account: https://x.com/morallawwithin(5) My Springer book: (a) https://www.amazon.com/Existential-Inertia-Classical-Theistic-Proofs/dp/3031193148/ (b) https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-19313-2THE USUAL...Follow the Majesty of Reason podcast! https://open.spotify.com/show/4Nda5uNcGselvKphtKSKvHJoin the Discord and chat all things philosophy! https://dsc.gg/majestyofreasonMy website: https://josephschmid.comMy PhilPeople profile: https://philpeople.org/profiles/joseph-schmid


