The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast
Mark Linsenmayer, Wes Alwan, Seth Paskin, Dylan Casey
The Partially Examined Life is a podcast by some guys who were at one point set on doing philosophy for a living but then thought better of it. Each episode, we pick a short text and chat about it with some balance between insight and flippancy. You don't have to know any philosophy, or even to have read the text we're talking about to (mostly) follow and (hopefully) enjoy the discussion. For links to the texts we discuss and other info, check out www.partiallyexaminedlife.com.
We also feature episodes from other podcasts by our hosts to round out your partially examined life, including Pretty Much Pop (prettymuchpop.com, covering all media), Nakedly Examined Music (nakedlyexaminedmusic.com, deconstructing songs), Philosophy vs. Improv (philosophyimprov.com, fun with performance skills and philosophical ideas), and (sub)Text (subtextpodcast.com, looking deeply at lit and film). Learn about more network podcasts at partiallyexaminedlife.com.
We also feature episodes from other podcasts by our hosts to round out your partially examined life, including Pretty Much Pop (prettymuchpop.com, covering all media), Nakedly Examined Music (nakedlyexaminedmusic.com, deconstructing songs), Philosophy vs. Improv (philosophyimprov.com, fun with performance skills and philosophical ideas), and (sub)Text (subtextpodcast.com, looking deeply at lit and film). Learn about more network podcasts at partiallyexaminedlife.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Sep 4, 2017 • 52min
Episode 171: Buddhism vs. Evolution with Guest Robert Wright (Part One)
Bob joins the PEL four to discuss his new book Why Buddhism Is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment. Bob applies his expertise in evolutionary psychology to corroborate Buddhism's claims that we are deluded: about our desires, emotions, the unity of our selves, and the "essences" we project on things and people. And he thinks meditation can instill in the diligent the ability to see things more clearly. But does it really? Continue with part 2, or get the full, ad-free Citizen Edition now. Please support PEL!
Aug 28, 2017 • 1h 7min
Episode 170 Second Opinions: Leftists on "Society of the Spectacle"
Mark and Seth ask Doug Lain (Zero Squared), Brett O'Shea (Revolutionary Left Radio), and C. Derick Varn (Symptomatic Redness) what they think of Debord and PEL's treatment of the book on Ep #170. End song: "Open Your Eyes (Wake Up)" from Tyler Hislop, interviewed on Nakedly Examined Music #24.
Aug 21, 2017 • 1h 9min
Episode 170: Guy Debord's "Society of the Spectacle" (Part Two)
More on the 1967 Situtationist book. Do we buy Debord's critique? Is any merely partial critique (i.e. no revolution) just more spectacle? Is technology inherently dehumanizing? Don't these passivity/anti-technology arguments even apply to books? Could Debord's model of authenticity catch on in society as a whole? Start with part 1, or get the Citizen Edition. Please support PEL! End song: "Millionaire" by The Mekons (1993); Jon Langford appears on Nakedly Examined Music #22.
Aug 14, 2017 • 54min
Episode 170: Guy Debord's "Society of the Spectacle" (Part One)
What is culture? In modern capitalism, Debord's 1967 book describes it as all about the economy. It's not just our jobs that keep us trapped, but our life outside of working hours is also demanded by "the system" via our activity as consumers, and this commoditization infiltrates every corner of our lives. Debord wants us to WAKE UP, break our chains, and live lives of immediacy, vitality, and authenticity. Continue with part 2 or get your unbroken, ad-free Citizen Edition now. Please support PEL!
Aug 7, 2017 • 53min
PEL Special: Combat & Classics on Rousseau's "Discourse on the Arts and Sciences"
A new podcast for the PEL Podcast Network! Meet Jeff, Lise, and Brian, who are joined by Wes and Dylan to discuss Rousseau's claim that the arts and sciences lead to "moral corruption." Get more C&C on the PEL site or at combatandclassics.org. Become a PEL Citizen to attend a C&C online seminar on Nietzsche's "Truth and Lies in a Nonmoral Sense" on Aug. 14, 8pm EST. Your support for PEL helps the PEL network! Visit bombfell.com/pel for $25 off your first clothing order. Get in on fall online courses starting Aug. 28 at the New School opencampus.newschool.edu. Get 20% off your first pair of underwear plus free shipping meundies.com/pel.
Jul 31, 2017 • 47min
Episode 169: Analyzing Hitchcock's "Vertigo"
On the 1958 film and articles including Laura Mulvey's "Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema" (1975) and Robin Wood's "Vertigo" (1965). What's the nature of love/lust? Are we really just loving an image we've built while remaining fundamentally isolated? And is it just an illusionary social construct that keeps us all from feeling fundamental vertigo? Lacan, existentialism, and more! Part 2 is for supporters only! Get the full discussion now at patreon.com/partiallyexaminedlife or through a PEL Citizenship.
Jul 24, 2017 • 1h 2min
Episode 168: Darwin's "Origin of Species" (Part Two)
More on Darwin's famous book. Why does it matter for philosophy, beyond providing an alternative to intelligent design? Is it really anti-religious? How can well tell if it's really a scientific theory? Talking about a species evolving trait X to enable survival sounds teleological; is it really, and is that bad? Why would the mind develop through natural selection? Continues from part 1, or just get the unbroken, ad-free Citizen Edition. Please support PEL! End song: "I Live" by Jason Falkner, as interviewed on Nakedly Examined Music #47.
Jul 17, 2017 • 47min
Episode 168: Darwin's "Origin of Species" (Part One)
On Charles Darwin's 1859 book, ch. 1-4, 6, and 14. What are the philosophical ramifications of Darwin's theory of evolution? We go through Darwin's arguments, compare his views to other theories of evolution like Lamarck's, and talk about how an evolutionary way of looking at things has influenced philosophers. Please support PEL!
Jul 10, 2017 • 1h 4min
Episode 167: Hume on Intelligent Design (Part Two)
In this discussion, philosophy scholar Stephen West dives into David Hume's critiques of the design argument in natural religion. He unpacks Hume's view that the debate often devolves into a mere verbal dispute while exploring whether order in the universe signifies a divine design or arises naturally. The conversation also touches on the problem of evil, Hume's skepticism about religion's practical role, and the concepts of fittingness versus optimization in design. Engaging and thought-provoking, this dialogue invites listeners to rethink the nature of belief and design.
14 snips
Jul 3, 2017 • 47min
Episode 167: Hume on Intelligent Design (Philosophize This! Crossover) (Part One)
This discussion features Stephen West, host of the Philosophize This! podcast, who dives into David Hume's Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion. They explore whether nature's complexity indicates a designer and debate the strength of this argument. Key topics include Hume's skeptical views on traditional theism, the problem of evil, and the distinction between rationalism and empiricism. West and the hosts tackle how natural design arguments intertwine with evolution and discuss the pitfalls of applying causation to God's existence.
