Ep. 362: Ecclesiastes: Biblical Existentialism? (Part One)

Ep. 362: Ecclesiastes: Biblical Existentialism? (Part One)

Author: Mark Linsenmayer, Wes Alwan, Seth Paskin, Dylan Casey March 3, 2025 Duration: 44:41

Ecclesiastes is often cited as one of the most philosophical books of the Bible, so we approached it in that spirit with the help of Jesse M. Peterson, whose soon-to-be-published book is called Qoheleth and the Philosophy of Value.

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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.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 782

The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast
Podcast Episodes
PEL 2026 Kickoff Nightcap [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:00
It's another year, and this time we each came in with a short bucket list of philosophical works that we'd like to read before this podcast concludes, whenever that might be. Get more at partiallyexaminedlife.com. Visit…
Ep. 382: Freud on Group Psychology (Part Two) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:42
Continuing on the first half of Sigmund Freud's Group Psychology and the Analysis of the Ego, now getting really into Freud's own type of explanation, whereby he explains how libidinal ties bind group members, typically…
Ep. 382: Freud on Group Psychology (Part One) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:50
On the first half of Sigmund Freud's Group Psychology and the Analysis of the Ego (1921). Why do members of a mob get dumber and less inhibited? Freud considers Gustave Le Bon's famous book on crowds but then turns to mo…
PREMIUM-Ep. 381: Aquinas on Ethical Psychology (Part Three) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:41
We discuss the first six questions from the "Moral Action" section in the Summa Theologica (1268), which we read in Thomas Aquinas: Selected Philosophical Writings (1993). If you're not hearing the full version of this p…
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…