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
PEL Presents Closereads: Peter Railton's "Moral Realism" (Wrap Up) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:05
We are concluding our treatment of Peter Railton's "Moral Realism" (1984), and given that you likely haven't listened to the seven preceding parts, this discussion can serve as a standalone summary of not only Railton's…
Ep. 373: Michael Walzer on Just Wars (Part Two) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:51
Continuing on on Just and Unjust Wars (1977), ch. 5-6. When might it be morally permissible to strike first? When is it permissible (or obligatory?) to intervene in another country's internal affairs militarily? We discu…
Ep. 373: Michael Walzer on Just Wars (Part One) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:22
On Just and Unjust Wars: A Moral Argument With Illustrations (1977), ch. 4-6 on "jus ad bellum," which refers to moral justifications for going to war. Self-defense is permissible while aggression is not, but this leaves…
Ep. 372: Kant's Ethics Lectures (Part Two) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:24
Continuing on the 1785 course lecture notes by Georg Ludwig Collins. We cover duties to oneself, which are actually the most important ones. There are some interesting subtleties even though Kant is clearly a creature of…
Ep. 372: Kant's Ethics Lectures (Part One) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:04
We discuss lecture notes from Kant's 1785 ethics course, which provide more examples and an emphasis on the practical than his more famous works. For instance, we get more information on ethical motivation: How can the r…
PEL Presents PvI#97: Peep Dome Pets w/ Merry Mary Hynes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:16
LA Second City improv instructor Mary joins us to act out a pet sitting job interview, talk about sharing our public spaces with animals, and finally return to Empty Street to see if we can get some animal action going i…
Ep. 371: Christine Korsgaard on Normativity (Part Two) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:57
Concluding our treatment of The Sources of Normativity. We give Korsgaard's tweaks to Kant, including her distinction between the categorical imperative and the moral law. We then explain her reference to Wittgenstein's…
Ep. 371: Christine Korsgaard on Normativity (Part One) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:43
On lectures 3 and 4 of The Sources of Normativity (1996), where we get Korsgaard's positive view on how morality becomes obligatory for an individual, which has to do with identity, reason-giving, and our fundamentally s…
Ep. 370: Christine Korsgaard on the History of Ethics (Part Two) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:24
We dive further into the text of lectures 1 and 2 of The Sources of Normativity (1996). We give Korsgaard's account of the idea of reflective endorsement through Hume and Bernard Williams to get to her own view. When you…
Ep. 370: Christine Korsgaard on the History of Ethics (Part One) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:26
On The Sources of Normativity (1996), lectures 1 and 2. How are facts related to obligations? We don't want to merely explain our moral impulses, but justify them. Korsgaard walks us through the views of Hobbes, Hume, Be…