The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast

The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast

Author: Mark Linsenmayer, Wes Alwan, Seth Paskin, Dylan Casey Language: English Episodes: 100
What if philosophy wasn't an intimidating subject reserved for academics, but a lively, accessible, and sometimes messy conversation among friends? That's the space occupied by The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast. Hosted by Mark Linsenmayer, Wes Alwan, Seth Paskin, and Dylan Casey-a group who once pursued philosophy professionally before taking a different path-this podcast approaches big ideas with a rare blend of genuine curiosity and informal camaraderie. Their discussions are grounded in actual philosophical texts, which they break down in each episode, but you absolutely don't need a degree or even prior reading to jump in. The charm lies in hearing their real-time reactions, debates, and occasional tangents as they wrestle with concepts that shape our society and culture. Listening feels like pulling up a chair at a pub with remarkably well-read friends who are just as likely to crack a joke as they are to land a profound insight. This isn't a lecture; it's an invitation to a collective, partially examined life, where the journey through a thinker's argument is often more revealing than any polished conclusion. You'll find yourself thinking along with them, questioning your own assumptions, and discovering how centuries-old ideas pulse through our modern dilemmas. Tune in for a uniquely human and engaging take on the discipline that asks the biggest questions.
Episodes
Ep. 381: Aquinas on Ethical Psychology (Part Two) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:11
Continuing to discuss the virtue and moral action from the Summa Theologica (1268). We discuss the definition of virtue and some subsequent questions about what parts of us the term virtue properly applies to. Get more a…
Ep. 381: Aquinas on Ethical Psychology (Part One) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:30
On selections about virtue and moral action from the Summa Theologica (1268). Aquinas defines virtue, tells us how it metaphysically fits us into the universe, and discusses how it actually works in us to make us perform…
Ep. 380: Josiah Royce on Community (Part Two) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:51
More on The Problem of Christianity, discussing how communities relate to history, how individuals relate to communities, and what's unique about Royce's ideal Christian world community. Get more at partiallyexaminedlife…
Ep. 380: Josiah Royce on Community (Part One) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:54
On sections of The Problem of Christianity (1913) which establish Royce's concept of a community of interpretation: individuals working together with a sense of shared history and expectation. He claims that such a group…
Ep. 379: Egyptian Philosophy with Chike Jeffers (Part Two) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:12
Continuing on sources from ancient Egypt, finishing up the instructional literature: "The Instruction of Ptahhotep," and "The Instruction Addressed to King Merikare," and then we move to the dialogues, ""The Eloquent Pea…
Ep. 379: Egyptian Philosophy with Chike Jeffers (Part One) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:54
The co-author of the African run of the History of Philosophy Podcast (and new book) joins us to go over philosophical works from 2200-1400 BCE: "The Instruction of Ptahhotep," "The Instruction Addressed to King Merikare…
PREMIUM-Ep. 378: Aquinas on God and Mind (Part Four) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:51
We complete our Aquinas treatment for the moment by considering emotions: categorizing them, asking whether they have opposites, and making them coherent given Aquinas' Aristotelian conception of soul. If you're not hear…
Ep. 378: Aquinas on God and Mind (Part Three) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:38
We're now moving on to the "mind" portion of our discussion, covering how reason motivates us, how free will is possible, and the degree to which the mind is passive or active. Get more at partiallyexaminedlife.com. Visi…
Ep. 378: Aquinas on God and Mind (Part Two) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:51
Continuing on bits of Thomas Aquinas: Selected Philosophical Writings, completing our analysis of his arguments for the existence of God and then turning to eternity and the possibility of actually talking about God, giv…
Ep. 378: Aquinas on God and Mind (Part One) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:55
On selections from Thomas Aquinas: Selected Philosophical Writings, mostly taken from the Summa Theologica (1268). Given our flawed, finite human nature, how do we fit into the universe? In particular, how can we know an…