Beginner friendly if listened to in order! For anyone interested in an educational podcast about philosophy where you don't need to be a graduate-level philosopher to understand it. In chronological order, the thinkers and ideas that forged the world we live in are broken down and explained.
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Today we talk about some of the best arguments for and against lying in the history of philosophy. Hope you love it. :) Sponsor: Nord VPN: https://nordvpn.com/philothis Thank you so much for listening! Could never do this without your help. Website: https://www.philosophizethis.org/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/philosophizethis Social: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philosophizethispodcast X: https://twitter.com/iamstephenwest Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/philosophizethisshow Lea...
This episode delves into Alasdair MacIntyre's critique of the modern university and society, explaining how institutions often create specialized experts who are disconnected from the deeper philosophical and moral implications of their work. MacIntyre argues that true education should cultivate practical wisdom (phronesis) to enable individuals to understand the interconnectedness of knowledge, make sound judgments, and hold leaders accountable, asserting that philosophy is not optional but integral to human experience.
Stephen West explores Alasdair MacIntyre's "Dependent Rational Animals," critiquing the common-sense ideal of the autonomous, self-made person. He highlights universal human dependence from birth to old age, arguing that virtues like mercy and generosity are foundational, often overlooked in favor of justice. The episode redefines rationality as a developed skill and success as shared community goods, asserting that our embodied, vulnerable nature and interconnected "networks of giving and receiving" are central to a truly moral and flourishing society.
This episode delves into Alasdair Macintyre's "Three Rival Versions of Moral Inquiry," analyzing how people bring distinct, often unexamined, assumptions to moral debates. It examines the encyclopedic view's quest for neutrality, the genealogical view's focus on historical power structures, and the tradition-based view's emphasis on cultivating virtue and good judgment within a community. Macintyre contends that true moral disagreements lie in these foundational premises, not merely in differing conclusions, and highlights the strengths and weaknesses of each approach.
Today we talk about the book After Virtue by Alasdair MacIntyre. We talk about his genealogy of moral discourse. The teleologies of Aristotle. The failure of the Enlightenment moral project. Our modern culture of Emotivism and the sorts of characters that thrive in it. Shared practices and community as a way to revitalize moral conversation. Hope you love it! :) Sponsors: Nord VPN: https://nordvpn.com/philothis Thank you so much for listening! Could never do this without your help. Website: http...
Today we talk about the play Hamlet written by William Shakespeare. We compare more traditional takes on the themes of the play to a more modern, philosophical analysis of the play done by Simon Critchley and Jamieson Webster. We talk about Hamlet and his inability to take action. Surveillance in 16th century England. Ophelia as the tragic hero of the play. How ultimately Hamlet may best be described as a play about "nothing". Hope you love it. :) Sponsors: Nord VPN: https://nordvpn.com/philoth...
This episode delves into William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," dissecting its portrayal of systemic violence and the futility of honor codes in maintaining social order, suggesting that only extreme catastrophe can enforce peace. It then contrasts traditional views of marriage with an alternative "religion of love," examining whether Romeo and Juliet's intense connection represents irresponsible teenage impulsivity or a courageous pursuit of meaning in an indifferent world. The discussion concludes by exploring why the play remains a quintessential love story, highlighting the essential, sometimes irrational, elements of love that transcend time.
Stephen West explores the philosophical depth of Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar," focusing on its portrayal of political violence as naive and often hypocritical. The discussion highlights the irony of "honor" as a virtue that can lead to manipulation, particularly through the character of Brutus. The episode extensively analyzes how rhetoric, especially in a republic, becomes the primary battleground for political power, demonstrating how emotional appeals can override rational arguments and emphasizing the listener's responsibility in discerning truth from crafted narratives.
This episode delves into Charles Taylor's "The Varieties of Religion Today," building on William James' work to examine how religion has transformed from integrated societal structures to a highly personalized choice. It discusses the "Paleo, Neo, and Post-Durkheim" forms of religion and critiques the limitations of purely individual spiritual experiences. The episode concludes by addressing the unique spiritual predicament of modern people navigating fragile beliefs in a structurally pluralistic society.
Today we talk about the work of the philosopher Charles Taylor. First, we trace the historical origins of how he views the modern self. From the Greeks to the Reformation. From Descartes to Rousseau. The modern self to him is something "irreconcilably multileveled". Then we talk about our modern focus on authenticity as a moral ideal and why Taylor thinks many people misunderstand what it requires. Hope you love it! :) Sponsors: The Perfect Jean: https://theperfectjean.nyc Code: PT15 Better Help...
Delve into Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, analyzing its rich philosophical tapestry. The discussion covers the dangerous blend of Enlightenment and Romantic ideals in scientific pursuit, the profound ethical responsibilities of creators, and the critical role of community oversight. It also highlights how societal ostracization can transform an innocent being into a vengeful "monster," prompting reflections on moral accountability for our creations and how we treat others.
Stephen West delves into profound philosophical criticisms of Stoicism by Friedrich Nietzsche and Arthur Schopenhauer. Nietzsche argues Stoicism, rooted in rational order, fosters 'decadence' by denying life's irrational, dynamic elements and essential self-overcoming. Schopenhauer, conversely, critiques Stoicism as a selfish pursuit of suffering avoidance, leading to a disconnection from true compassion and an inability to grasp suffering's vital lessons or the deeper problem of the 'will'.
Delve into Marcus Aurelius's Meditations, distinguishing it as personal journals rather than formal philosophy, and exploring its roots in Stoic metaphysics like the divine logos and cardinal virtues. The episode covers key concepts such as 'memento mori' and 'amor fati', showing how these ideas inspired Marcus to navigate life's challenges. It also discusses how modern Stoicism adapts these ancient principles, making them applicable to contemporary life's uncertainties.
Stephen West delves into Byung-Chul Han's lesser-known work on Zen Buddhism, presenting it as a hopeful counterpoint to Han's critiques of the modern "burnout society." The episode unpacks Zen concepts like "a religion without God," "emptiness," "no one," and "dwelling nowhere" to challenge Western notions of stable identity, transcendent meaning, and the reified self. It suggests that embracing interdependence and the impermanence of existence can lead to a more hospitable and less lonely way of relating to the world, culminating in "original friendliness" and a different perspective on death.
Delve into Milan Kundera's "The Unbearable Lightness of Being," a philosophical guide analyzing his take on Parmenides' binaries and Nietzsche's eternal recurrence to explore the meaning in our lives. The episode also unpacks Kundera's expansive definition of "kitsch" as a societal and political phenomenon, alongside his insights into "existential codes" that shape our understanding of reality. Finally, it presents his unique "animal test of morality," offering a profound way to assess true human goodness.
Today we talk about two different theories for why we ritualize self-destructive behavior. We check out a lesser-known work from Dostoevsky called The Gambler. We consider how much we can hold people morally accountable for this kind of stuff. Then we look at the work of Georges Bataille, his book The Accursed Share, and how a hidden underlying economics may be a way we can understand self-destructive behavior from a new angle. Hope you love it and have a great week. :) Sponsors: Greenlight: htt...
Today we talk about the book The Crisis of Narration by the philosopher Byung Chul Han. We talk about the history of storytelling. Walter Benjamins distinction between a Paris fire and a revolution in Madrid. The effects of social media on memory. Story telling vs story selling. AI as pure Intelligenz lacking Geist. The ability for stories to give shape to suffering. The importance of boredom for self-discovery. Hope you love it! :) Sponsors: Greenlight: https://www.greenlight.com/PT Better Help...
Today we talk about the late work of Wittgenstein in Philosophical Investigations. We talk about the meaning of words. Augustine's theory. Forms of life. Rules and practices. Grammar. Geometry. Family resemblance. And the role of a philosopher on the other side of accepting this view of language. Hope you love it. :) Sponsors: ZocDoc: https://www.ZocDoc.com/PHILO Quince: https://www.QUINCE.com/pt Better Help: https://www.BetterHelp.com/PHILTHIS Thank you so much for listening! Could never do thi...
Today we talk about the early work of Ernst Bloch. Hope as anticipatory consciousness. The darkness of the lived moment. Educated hope vs false hope. Music as an experiential metaphysics and gateway to the Not-Yet. Hope you love it. :) Sponsors: Better Help: https://www.BetterHelp.com/PHILTHIS Nord VPN: https://nordvpn.com/philothis Thank you so much for listening! Could never do this without your help. Website: https://www.philosophizethis.org/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/philosophizethis ...
Today we talk about Kafka's book The Castle and how the symbolism is interpreted by two powerhouse philosophers: Theodore Adorno and Hannah Arendt. Hope you love it! :) Sponsors: Incogni: https://www.Incogni.com/philothis Quince: https://www.QUINCE.com/pt ZocDoc: https://www.ZocDoc.com/PHILO Thank you so much for listening! Could never do this without your help. Website: https://www.philosophizethis.org/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/philosophizethis Social: Instagram: https://www.instagram.c...
Today we talk about Camus' book The Fall and what the main character represents in his larger project. We also talk about someone Camus deeply admired, Franz Kafka, and how to think of the images he created in his work. We talk about the experience of the modern individual in relation to politics. We also talk about what Camus and Kafka disagreed on. Hope you love it. :) Sponsor: Better Help: https://www.BetterHelp.com/PHILTHIS Thank you so much for listening! Could never do this without your he...
Today we talk about the concept of exile from the work of Camus. We focus on a couple stories from his book Exile and The Kingdom. We talk about why Camus insists that true lucidity can only arise from the jarring lived experience he calls “exile,” not from armchair reflection. We talk about Janine’s desert epiphany in “The Adulterous Woman.” We talk about school‑teacher Daru in “The Guest,” trapped between France and Algeria, whose double exile shows how history can choose for us. We talk about...
Today we talk about Camus’ concept of rebellion and how it offers a powerful alternative to abstract ideologies. We talk about solidarity as the foundation for justice without systems. We talk about the death penalty as a symbol of premeditated murder disguised as virtue. We talk about rebellion as something closer to art than politics—an act rooted in experience, defined by limits, and carried out with sincerity. Hope you love it! :) Sponsors: Nord VPN: https://nordvpn.com/philothis The Perfect...
We look at Albert Camus' The Plague . We talk about a common misreading from the Myth of Sisyphus. We talk about different cycles of his work from his earlier individual confrontation with the absurd to a more community focus. We talk about solidarity. Absurd heroes. Empathy and metaphysical rebellion. Hope you enjoy it, my friends. :) Sponsors: Factor: https://www.FactorMeals.com/pt50off Better Help: https://www.BetterHelp.com/PHILTHIS Quince: https://www.QUINCE.com/pt Thank you so much for lis...
Today we talk about the book The Stranger by Albert Camus. We talk about why Camus saw himself as an artist and not a philosopher. We talk about happiness. The absurd and it's full implications. The Mediterranean lifestyle. The sun as a symbol of immanence. Revolt against the absurd as a descriptive claim-- not a normative one. Sponsors: ZocDoc: https://www.ZocDoc.com/PHILO Better Help: https://www.BetterHelp.com/PHILTHIS Thank you so much for listening! Could never do this without your help. We...
Today we talk about the relationship between philosophy and religion. We talk about the duck-rabbit as a metaphor that may have something useful to teach us about the way we experience reality. We talk about the enormous difficulty of fully addressing the question: what is religion? We talk about Schelling's historical view of revelation and its connection to a possible new era of Christian religious practice. Hope you love it! :) Sponsors: Harry’s: https://www.harrys.com/PHILOSOPHIZE Nord VPN: ...
This episode explores the philosophical themes of love and faith in Dostoevsky's "The Brothers Karamazov," focusing on his existential and tragic form of Christianity. It delves into the family as a microcosm of society, active love as an experiential framing, and the complex arguments presented in "The Grand Inquisitor." The episode emphasizes the importance of unconditional affirmation and the role of faith in navigating suffering.
Today we talk about the book The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky. We talk about the curse of sainthood. The connection between beauty and morality via his moral-aesthetic spectrum. Realism vs. Idealism. And how beauty can save the world. Hope you love it! :) Sponsors: ZocDoc: https://www.ZocDoc.com/PHILO Better Help: https://www.BetterHelp.com/PHILTHIS Nord VPN: https://nordvpn.com/philothis Thank you so much for listening! Could never do this without your help. Website: https://www.philosophizethis....
Today we discuss the philosophical themes of the book Demons by Fyodor Dostoevsky. We talk about western liberalism, the lack of moral leadership, the promises of Nihilism, the Madman and the Saint, and Dostoevsky's complicated relationship to faith. Hope you love it! :) Sponsors: Better Help: https://www.BetterHelp.com/PHILTHIS Quince: https://www.QUINCE.com/pt Thank you so much for listening! Could never do this without your help. Website: https://www.philosophizethis.org/ Patreon: https://www...
Today we talk about the philosophical themes that Dostoevsky had in mind when writing Crime and Punishment. We talk about Russian Nihilism and its consequences. Rational Utilitarianism and Egoism. A common misunderstanding of Raskolnikov as an embodiment of Nietzsche's work. Confession. Guilt. Affirming life through consent. And much more. Hope you love it! :) Sponsors: Nord VPN: https://nordvpn.com/philothis Thank you so much for listening! Could never do this without your help. Website: https:...
