Ep. 377: Emil Cioran's Pessimism (Part Two)

Ep. 377: Emil Cioran's Pessimism (Part Two)

Author: Mark Linsenmayer, Wes Alwan, Seth Paskin, Dylan Casey October 13, 2025 Duration: 45:46

Continuing on "Directions for Decomposition" from A Short History of Decay (1949). What is it that humans are inevitably trying to avoid that seems so bad to us? It's our existential separation from others, our essential, incommunicable solitude. Plus, ennui, sloth, and being a "traitor to existence."

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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
Ep. 358: Max Stirner's Egoism (Part One) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:42
On The Ego and its Own (1844), another big influence on Karl Marx and a precursor of Nietzsche, or perhaps an early Ayn Rand. Get more at partiallyexaminedlife.com. Visit partiallyexaminedlife.com/support to get ad-free…
PEL '24-'25 Transition Nightcap [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:03
Mark, Wes, Seth, and Dylan reflect on our past year of PEL recording, catch you up on our habits and interests, and talk about what might come next. Get more at partiallyexaminedlife.com. Visit partiallyexaminedlife.com/…
Ep. 357: Feuerbach on the Evolution of Philosophy (Part Two) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:13
We finally discuss Feuerbach's proposed post-Hegelian, materialist approach to philosophy in his "Principles of the Philosophy of the Future" (1843). How can a materialist framework support phenomena central to F's accou…
Ep. 357: Feuerbach on the Evolution of Philosophy (Part One) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:14
Mark, Wes, and Dylan continue to look at Ludwig Feuerbach's "Principles of the Philosophy of the Future" (1843), recounting his story about how increasingly mature notions of God should lead philosophy eventually to a ma…
Ep. 356: Feuerbach Against Theology (Part Two) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:57
We dig in and start our detailed treatment of Ludwig Feuerbach's essay "Principles of the Philosophy of the Future" (1843). Feuerbach claims that people don't realize that the entity they worship is really just whatever…
Ep. 356: Feuerbach Against Theology (Part One) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:19
On Ludwig Feuerbach's "Principles of the Philosophy of the Future" (1843) and the introduction to The Essence of Christianity (1841). What was the original point of religion? Can we retain what was emotionally good about…
Ep. 355: Marx on Alienation (Part Two) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:43
Continuing on "Estranged Labor," "Private Property and Communism," and "The Power of Money on Bourgeois Society" with guest Lawrence Dallman. Does capitalism give rise to alienation, or is it alienation that is responsib…
Ep. 355: Marx on Alienation (Part One) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:09
On three of Karl Marx's Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844, "Estranged Labor," "Private Property and Communism," and "The Power of Money on Bourgeois Society." Featuring guest Lawrence Dallman. What is the plig…
PREMIUM-PEL Thick-of-Fall Nightcap 2024 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:17
Mark, Wes, and Seth talk about horror media and what scares us in light of Halloween. We then give some follow-up discussion re. our Williamson and Chappell interviews. Do we actually want to participate in Williamson's…
Ep. 354: Guest Tim Williamson on Philosophic Method (Part Two) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:13
We continue talking with Tim about Overfitting and Heuristics in Philosophy (2024), considering Tim's overall project and view of what philosophy should be doing and with what tools. We get into modeling, ethics, public…