As a direct follow-up to their previous episode on Arthur Danto, Connor and Dan dig into the contemporary aesthetic philosophy of cultural critic Sianne Ngai. Specifically, they're talking about things that are cute, zany, and interesting. These three categories are launching off points to discuss the commodification of art in modern society. Also, it's a way to talk about Star Wars.
Identity is a complex issue, and, obviously, two drunk white straight guys are the most equipped to talk about it. Kidding, of course. This week Connor and Dan look to the contemporary philosophy of Kwame Anthony Appiah and his thoughts on identity, race, nationality, and our lives as global citizens. Spoiler alert: It's about taking that middle road, baby!
As a way of wrapping up their discussion of Kant, Connor and Dan complete their whirlwind tour of the famous Critique before turning their attention to Kant’s famous moral philosophy. This means, of course, a rehashing of the categorical imperative and whether or not it’s ok to help murderers. Also, they reflect on their new friend Mr. Kant and his influence.
In part-two of their Kant trilogy, Connor does his best to stay awake and engaged while Dan explains one of the more complex and influential books in modern philosophy: The Critique of Pure Reason. Hopefully, you all like terminology because the first half of this episode covers the damn table of contents!
At the start of their next ambitious three-parter, the boys turn their attention to a figure who looms large not just in their lives, but in the lives of all philosophers. That little, persnickety gentleman from Konigsberg, Immanuel Kant. This week, Connor and Dan learn a little about Kant’s life and try to figure out if he was the ultimate townie.
It's easy to stay in your own philosophical bubble and only ever learn about things from people who look and talk like you. But, as Connor and Dan learn in this loosey-goosey episode, there is an inherent value in learning about philosophy from other cultures, countries, and times. "But how do we do it?" you might be asking. Listen and find out you dummy! (Note: Apologies for the slightly worse audio quality this week. We recorded in slightly different locations and it didn't work!)
With all that science mumbo jumbo out of the way, Connor and Dan turn their attention to something they're much more interested in: Leisure time, baby! But we're not just talking about vacation here. Save that for the parrot heads. We're talking about the genuine pursuit of genuine interests. Take a break! It's important! (Note: Sorry about the slightly worse audio quality this week. We recorded in different locations and it didn't work!)
Science and philosophy go hand in hand like Connor and Dan. This week, your hosts take a look back at how these two disciplines have evolved and diverged over the centuries, complementing one another and improving one another. What role does the philosophy of science play in the year 2019? Listen to find out what these two idiots think! Also, listen to hear Connor's loud cat! (Note: Sorry about the slightly worse audio quality this week. We recorded in different locations and it didn't work!)...
She was dubbed the "most dangerous woman in America" in her time, but who exactly was Emma Goldman and what did she believe? This week, Connor and Dan dive back into the pool of American anarchism to learn about Goldman's early feminism, fiery speeches, and violent tactics. Was she right about a lot of stuff? Yup. Did she have her problems? You bet. Do I regret putting so many questions in this description? You know it.
Now that we know who Kropotkin was, let's spend part two discussing what he was all about. That involves some pretty detailed discussions of various anarchist frameworks during which Connor's arguments get totally freaking dunked on by a long-dead Russian intellectual. Hope you're ready to start a revolution! Because it's coming, baby!
We hope you're ready to tear down some capitalist infrastructure, because for the next two weeks we'll be discussing the philosophy of Peter Kroptokin aka the father of anarcho-communism. In this first episode, Connor and Dan go deep on where this bearded weirdo came from, his various run-ins with the law, and how he was influenced by contemporary thinkers.
Now that we know who Husserl was and what he did, it's time to look at who came after him. The man's influence on the world of philosophy is perhaps more impressive than anything he actual wrote in his lifetime, but many of the thinkers who came after him would not shy away from criticizing the old man. Connor and Dan peruse the philosophical burn book on this week's episode.
With a bit of biographical context out of the way, Connor and Dan dig into the particulars of Husserl's phenomenological process. What does he mean by Intentionality? How does this whole "bracketing" thing work? What's with this dude and Greek words??? Hopefully you'll have a better understanding of some of this stuff by the end of the episode.
Strap in, folks! We're about to go deep on our boy Edmund Husserl (aka Eddy Hoos.) (aka Ed Casserole) (aka the Father of Phenomenology). This first episode takes a look at Husserl's biography, his educational background, and the philosophical runway that was laid before him at the start of the 20th century. Where my Cartesians at? Here, I hope.
Don't panic! This week, Connor and Dan dig into the humorous philosophy at play in Douglas Adams' celebrated science fiction farce, Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy. If you haven't read the book, you will be spoiled, but, then again, this isn't really a book that can be spoiled in any way. It's always a fun read and it has a lot to say about the ridiculous venture of philosophy.
Despite our fancy clothes, ability to use forks, and love of dragon-filled fantasy shows, human beings are just animals. That's the essence of the argument put forth by Animalism and it has implications for how we understand our personal identity and how we choose to interact with other sentient beings in the world. How will Connor react to being called a dirty, filthy animal? Pretty well, actually.
Long before your mom was ditching her Lit 101 class to burn her bra in the school parking lot, Mary Wollstonecraft was laying down the basis for all feminist philosophy to come. This week, Connor and Dan delve into the life of this controversial figure who took no guff and spared no one in her campaign to give equal rights and education to the young women of Europe. Also, you've probably heard of her daughter!
Sure, you've heard of Old Confucianism. But this is NEW Confucianism a.k.a. Confucianism in sunglasses a.k.a. Confucianism that's into Bitcoin now. This episode is 50% history and 50% philosophy as Dan tries is best to provide context to this early-20th century movement that tried to marry antiquity with the modernity and possibly failed. No spoilers! (But China is still communist, so minor spoilers)
In the mid-20th century, the European philosophy scene became enamored with a little Romanian depressed guy by the name of Emil Cioran. This week, Dan tries his best to get Connor to feel the love for this sad weirdo. Their discussion drifts from Catcher In The Rye to continental philosophy to Cioran's unfortunate history with fascism. TW: There are a lot of jokes about suicide in this ep, but if you feel like you need help please seek it out! Also, Patreon.com/Drunkenphilosophy!
The Harlem Renaissance was an explosion of culture, art, and philosophy in Black America. At the head of one of the many movements dominating the conversation during that time was a Jamaican-born, controversial figure named Marcus Garvey. This week, Connor and Dan dig into Garvey's particular brand of pan-Africanism and how he clashed with other black intellectuals of his time. They also talk about how Connor cried at Hamilton because that is always relevant.
As members of global capitalists societies, we're all well aware of what economic capital is and how it effects our lives. But did you know there are other kinds of capital? Pierre Bourdieu knew that, and he outlined them over the course of his sociological career. This week, Connor and Dan discuss the various forms and functions of Cultural Capital, Social Capital, Symbolic Capital, and Tom from MySpace.
This week, your two favorite narc-ass uncles decide to put aside the beers and vodka sodas so they can partake in a little something the kids are calling "Jazz Grass." That's right. In honor of having an episode that's vaguely in the vicinity of 4/20, Connor and Dan did a drug. They also discussed the 1857 book "The Hasheesh Eater" written by American essayist, poet, and explorer Fitz Hugh Ludlow. But they may or may not spend ten minutes discussing Star Wars first. Dan also changes the battery ...
Plato once pined for a day when philosopher kings would rule civilization. A handful of centuries later he sort of got his wish when devout Stoic Marcus Aurelius took the reins as Emperor of Rome. To see what that this thoughtful bearded hunk was all about, Connor and Dan read some excerpts from his personal diary, later known as Meditations. This is basically CrossFit for your soul, so get pumped.
You've heard of Anarchy in the U.K. But Anarchy in the U.S.A.??? That's right! This week, Connor and Dan don their liberty spikes and chuck their molotov cocktails as they travel back to 19th century America and examine the various flavors of anarchism taking shape in the flailing union. Do these Free Love abolitionists have any good ideas? Or are they just trying to avoid going to the post office? You be the judge!
This New England philosopher was famous for wearing a red and white stripped shirt and getting lost in large crowds. He had a girlfriend, a dog, an evil cousin, and a friend who was also a wizard. Today we remember and celebrate him by talking about that stuff for five minutes and then focusing on the actual philosophy in the essay "Self-Reliance." Sorry.
Hey guys, remember Hamilton? That famous rap-tap-tapping musical that swept the nation some years ago? Well, Connor and Dan finally got around to doing a podcast episode that's minimally and tangentially related to that. Sure, John Locke gets a lot of the credit for inspiring the Founding Fathers but your boy Montesquieu deserves a second look (with apologies to King Ralph).
Happy St. Paddy's Day to all the lads and lasses! To celebrate this holiest of high holidays, Connor and Dan take a look back at two very different Irish philosophers from the 17th century. George Berkeley's philosophical legacy is secure, though his ideas are a bit nonsense. John Toland is often forgotten, though his ideas were revolutionary. They were contemporaries, men of God, and Irishmen. But which do you prefer?
If you're tired of all your podcasts sounding the same, fitting into the same cookie-cutter shape, and convincing you to remain sedate and complacent, you might be confronting a little thing called the Culture Industry. German philosophy Theodor Adorno along with Max Horkheimer developed this Marxist critique of capitalist society before joining the highly influential Frankfurt Group in the wake of WWII. This week, Connor and Dan try to figure out what it's all about.
After struggling to succinctly summarize multiple suggested topics, Dan decides to pull the rip cord and dedicate an entire episode to his passion: Lord of the Rings. But it's not just pure fandom here. He and Connor discuss the philosophy at work in Tolkien's fantasy epic which was at least partially inspired by his experiences in WWI. Tolkien fever is spreading. Catch it!
The fact that Simone de Beauvoir is a straight-up genius is established canon on this podcast. But Connor and Dan have somehow made it over 250 episodes without ever discussing her second, incredibly influential essay, "The Ethics of Ambiguity." Get ready to get uncomfortable (not in a sexual way!). Also, there are some loud dogs near Dan's house and, baby, you can hear 'em!
