Ep. 386: Hegel on Society (Part One)

Ep. 386: Hegel on Society (Part One)

Author: Mark Linsenmayer, Wes Alwan, Seth Paskin, Dylan Casey March 2, 2026 Duration: 50:49

On. G.W.F. Hegel's The Phenomenology of Spirit (1807), sec. 438-463. What constitutes society? 

We're beginning a multi-episode arc here on the "Spirit" chapter of the book, so we learn what Spirit actually is and how it relates to individuals. We also talk about the two layers of law that make up society and how these can be in or out of harmony.

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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
PREMIUM-Ep. 386: Hegel on Society (Part Three) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:34
On sec. 451-463 of Hegel's Phenomenology of Spirit. We get into more detail on these passages about the way the two types of law (human and divine) interact, as well as how these play out in family roles and the responsi…
PEL Presents NEM#248: Lande Hekt: Lucky to Be Indie [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:12
Lande started in the 2010's in the British punk-pop group Muncie Girls, with six releases (mostly EPs), and began her solo career in 2019. We discuss "Coming Home" (and listen at the end to the title track) from her four…
Ep. 386: Hegel on Society (Part Two) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:20
Continuing on the "Spirit" section of The Phenomenology of Spirit, giving a sort of social metaphysics, wherein the ethical life of a society is analyzed into two complementary types of law, human (explicit laws but also…
PEL Presents PvI#113: Mary and Mark Pick Their Battles [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:50
What is it worth raising an objection over, and how hard do you fight? We hear (and act out) Mary's roommate-searching trauma, plus Mary for President, curiosity about bellicose Twitter, respect vs. reverence, rationalit…
PEL Presents PMP#216: Oscars So Black? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:25
In light of the now-completed black history month and the upcoming Oscars, we consider the "Oscars So White" issue that was a hot topic about a decade ago. We all tried to watch some of the Oscar-nominated films by black…
PEL Presents NEM#247: John S. Hall (King Missile): Daily Poet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:54
John has released at least fifteen albums, more than half of these under the name King Missile, but even this name covers three different bands, since John until recently didn't play any instruments, so his music is alwa…
Ep. 385: Guest Graham Harman on Object vs. Continuum (Part Two) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:31
In our continuing Q&A with Graham, we engage him about Kantian Things-In-Themselves, complex things (that if divided, must be cut at the joints) vs. mere heaps, fact ontology, natural kinds, fictional objects, why philos…
PEL Presents PvI#112: Musical Zoom w/ Jerome Kurtenbach [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:42
Jerome is an LA composer/director/screenwriter who is involved in a lot of musical improv, so Mary and Mark interview him about that and about the function of art, plus songs for pets, a support group for people who sing…
PEL Presents PMP#215: Hamnet Dramatizes Shakespeare [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:15
When we don't know much about some genius playwright's life, why not make up some things based on the contents of his plays? Maybe put Shakespearean dialogue right in character's mouths, so the audience will say, "hey, I…
Ep. 385: Guest Graham Harman on Object vs. Continuum (Part One) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:54
An interview with Graham in light of his new book, Waves and Stones: On the Ultimate Nature of Reality, which elaborates and adds to issues that the gang previously studied in Object-Oriented Ontology. Graham argues that…