Philosophize This! - podcast cover

Philosophize This!

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.

Episodes

Episode #225 ... Albert Camus - The Plague

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 list...

Mar 27, 202533 min

Episode #224 ... Albert Camus - The Stranger

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...

Mar 15, 202530 min

Episode #223 ... Religion and the duck-rabbit - Kyoto School pt. 3

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: ...

Mar 03, 202535 min

Episode #222 ... Dostoevsky - Love in The Brothers Karamazov

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.

Feb 16, 202541 min

Episode #221 ... Dostoevsky - The Idiot

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....

Feb 01, 202538 min

Episode #220 ... Dostoevsky - Demons

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...

Jan 13, 202540 min

Episode #219 ... Dostoevsky - Crime and Punishment

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:...

Dec 23, 202432 min

Episode #218 ... Dostoevsky - Notes From Underground

Today we talk about the philosophical themes of one of Dostoevsky's most famous books: Notes From Underground. We talk about contemplative inertia, the "stone wall" of rationality, utopian socialism, the tension between love and freedom in the modern world, self-loathing as a defense mechanism, and much more. Hope you enjoy it. :) Sponsors: Nord VPN: https://nordvpn.com/philothis Aura Frames: https://www.AuraFrames.com use promo code: PT Better Help: https://www.BetterHelp.com/PHILTHIS Thank you...

Dec 17, 202436 min

Episode #217 ... Religion and Nothingness - Kyoto School pt. 2 - Nishitani

Today we talk about expanding our view of what a religious quest includes. The limits of dualistic thinking. Technological enframing and obsession with utility. Self-emptying. Consciousness, Nihility and Sunyata. Sunyata as immanence. Hope you love it! :) Sponsors: Aura Frames: https://www.AuraFrames.com use promo code: PT Better Help: https://www.BetterHelp.com/PHILTHIS ZocDoc: https://www.ZocDoc.com/PHILO Thank you so much for listening! Could never do this without your help. Website: https://...

Dec 06, 202447 min

Episode #216 ... The Self-Overcoming of Nihilism - Kyoto School pt. 1 - Nishitani

Today we look at the work of Keiji Nishitani. We examine Nihilism in a deeper way than we've ever covered on the podcast before. We talk about The Great Doubt. Zen Buddhism. Sunyata. The self as similar to structural linguistics. Hope you enjoy it! :) Sponsors: Lumen: https://www.lumen.me/PT Better Help: https://www.BetterHelp.com/PHILTHIS Thank you so much for listening! Could never do this without your help. Website: https://www.philosophizethis.org/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/philosophi...

Nov 18, 202436 min

Episode #215 ... How Mysticism is missing in our modern lives. (Critchley, Heidegger)

Today we talk about whether it's possible to achieve not just freedom of the will, but freedom from the will. The technological enframing of reality from the perspective of Heidegger. Misconceptions about Mysticism. The ways that modern life prevents us from having more of a connection with Being. Some ways to start practicing mystical types of experiences using the resources that we have available to us. We do all of this via some points made by Simon Critchley in his new book On Mysticism: The...

Oct 30, 202431 min

Episode #214 ... Framing our Being in a completely different way. (Heidegger)

Today we look at Heidegger's critique of metaphysics and the traditional subject-object framing in philosophy. How multiple framings are necessary for a fuller picture of our being. His challenge to thinkers like Nietzsche and Descartes. Dasein, the limitations of objectivity. Phenomenology as an alternative focusing on the importance of lived experience. And his ideas on temporality and death as a horizon of our being. Hope you love it! :) Sponsors: Nord VPN: https://nordvpn.com/philothis Bette...

Oct 21, 202438 min

Episode #213 ... Deleuze Interprets Nietzsche (Difference, Joy, Affirmation)

Today we talk about Deleuze's interpretation of Nietzsche's work. We talk about difference taken to radical new levels. The image of thought from the history of philosophy. Nietzsche framed as the enemy to the dialectic. Active vs Reactive forces. Deleuze's thoughts on art as a vehicle for the creation of the new instead of our typical approach via acquiring more information. Hope you love it! Be well. :) Sponsors: Better Help: https://www.BetterHelp.com/PHILTHIS AG1: https://www.DrinkAg1.com/ph...

Oct 13, 202437 min

Episode #212 ... Nietzsche and Critchley on the tragic perspective. (Amor Fati pt. 2)

Today we begin by talking about Nietzsche's concept of life-affirmation. Contrasting it with the renunciative, rational traditions of Western thought. The episode then delves into Greek tragedy through the lens of Simon Critchley's work; making a case for how these ancient plays offer a life-affirming perspective by embracing the ambiguity of human existence. Sponsors: MUD/WTR: https://www.mudwtr.com/PTS Better Help: https://www.BetterHelp.com/PHILTHIS Nord VPN: https://nordvpn.com/philothis Tha...

Sep 30, 202438 min

Episode #211 ... Nietzsche returns with a hammer!

Today we talk about Nietzsche's views on the decay of western society. We talk about his problems with Socrates. The genealogy of Egalitarianism that has led to our modern societies, and how to contextualize his concept of the Ubermensch within modern culture. Hope you enjoy it! :) Sponsors: Lumen: https://www.lumen.me/PT AG1: https://www.DrinkAg1.com/philo Better Help: https://www.BetterHelp.com/PHILTHIS Thank you so much for listening! Could never do this without your help. Website: https://ww...

Sep 22, 202441 min

Episode #210 ... The Pedagogy of the Oppressed (Paulo Freire, Education)

We talk about Paulo Freire's Pedagogy of the Oppressed. His critique of the banking model of education. The importance of critical consciousness. His Existentialist influence. The dialectic between oppression and liberation. The problem-posing model of education. The role of dialogue in learning and the co-creation of knowledge. Marx's influence on Freire. The flexibility of Freire’s pedagogy. And some response to critics of Freire. Sponsors: Nord VPN: https://nordvpn.com/philothis Better Help: ...

Sep 12, 202439 min

Episode #209 ... Improving our world through applied ethics. (Peter Singer, Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek)

Today we talk about Peter Singer's response to an anticapitalist critique of his work. Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek's thoughts on the wrong ways to be thinking about ethical terminology. Philosophy in schools. Creative activism. The ongoing impact of the Effective Altruist movement. Hope you enjoy it! :) Sponsors: Nord VPN: https://nordvpn.com/philothis Better Help: https://www.BetterHelp.com/PHILTHIS Chubbies: https://www.chubbiesshorts.com/pt Thank you so much for listening! Could never do this w...

Aug 26, 202436 min

Episode #208 ... The moral evolution of a philosopher. (Peter Singer)

On this episode, we track the changes in Peter Singer's ethical views throughout his career. We talk about Emotivism. R.M. Hare's Prescriptivism. Nozick's Experience Machine. Some thought experiments from Derek Parfit. Henry Sidgwick and Objectivist Hedonistic Utilitarianism. Hope you enjoy it! Sponsors: ZocDoc: https://www.ZocDoc.com/PHILO LMNT: https://www.DrinkLMNT.com/philo Better Help: https://www.BetterHelp.com/PHILTHIS Thank you so much for listening! Could never do this without your help...

Aug 18, 202444 min

Episode #207 ... Fear is toxic to a democracy. (Martha Nussbaum)

Today we talk more about the work of Martha Nussbaum and her book The Monarchy of Fear. We discuss emotions as important appraisals of reality. The comparison of shame and guilt and their social implications. The prevalence of fear and its toxic impact on democracy. The importance of practical hope in fostering democratic participation. Hope you enjoy it! :) Sponsors: Rocket Money: http://www.RocketMoney.com/PT Better Help: https://www.BetterHelp.com/PHILTHIS Nord VPN: https://www.NordVPN.com/ph...

Aug 01, 202436 min

Episode #206 ... Capitalism is dead. This is Technofeudalism. (Yanis Varoufakis)

Today we talk about the concept of Technofeudalism as described by Yanis Varoufakis. We talk about the comparisons of our world to the feudal system, the origins in the economic policy of 2008, and a few potential paths forward centered around important questions to be revisiting. Hope you enjoy it! :) Sponsors: LMNT: https://www.DrinkLMNT.com/philo Better Help: https://www.BetterHelp.com/PHILTHIS Rocket Money: http://www.RocketMoney.com/PT Thank you so much for listening! Could never do this wi...

Jul 21, 202437 min

Episode #205 ... Why a meritocracy is corrosive to society. (Michael Sandel)

Today we talk about the dark side of meritocracy, the effects it has on the way people see each other, the dialectic of pride and humility, education reform, and a rethinking of the way we see government officials. Hope you enjoy it. :) Sponsors: Nord VPN: https://www.NordVPN.com/philothis Better Help: https://www.BetterHelp.com/PHILTHIS Thank you so much for listening! Could never do this without your help. Website: https://www.philosophizethis.org/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/philosophize...

Jul 01, 202432 min

Episode #204 ... The importance of philosophy, justice and the common good. (Michael Sandel)

Today we talk about some of the benefits of being a practitioner of philosophy. Michael Sandel's view of the three main approaches to justice throughout the history of philosophy. The strengths and weaknesses of all three. The consequences of replacing social norms with market norms. And the importance of the common good as a piece of a just society that is able to endure. Hope you enjoy it! :) Sponsors: Rocket Money: http://www.RocketMoney.com/PT Nord VPN: https://www.NordVPN.com/philothis Bett...

Jun 24, 202438 min

Episode #203 ... Why the future is being slowly cancelled. - Postmodernism (Mark Fisher, Capitalist Realism)

Today we continue developing our understanding of the ideas that have led to what Mark Fisher calls Capitalist Realism. We talk about tolerant relativism, postmodern artwork, the slow cancellation of the future, Hauntology and Acid Communism. Hope you enjoy it! :) 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...

Jun 17, 202440 min

Episode #202 ... Why we can't think beyond capitalism. - Neoliberalism (Mark Fisher, Capitalist Realism)

Today we begin our discussion on the work of Mark Fisher surrounding his concept of Capitalism Realism. We talk about the origins of Neoliberalism, it's core strategies, some critiques of Neoliberalism, and the hyperfocus on individualism and competition that has come to define a piece of our thinking in the western world. Hope you enjoy it and have a great rest of your week. :) Thank you so much for listening! Could never do this without your help. Website: https://www.philosophizethis.org/ Pat...

Jun 03, 202435 min

Episode #201 ... Resistance, Love, and the importance of Failure. (Zizek, Byung Chul Han)

Today we talk about a potential way to find meaning for someone prone to postmodern subjectivity. We talk about surplus enjoyment. Zizek's alcohol use, or lack thereof. Resisting surface level consumption. Love. And failure. 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 Fac...

May 06, 202437 min

Episode #200 ... The Postmodern subject and "ideology without ideology" (Zizek, Byung Chul Han, Marx)

Today we talk about several different common versions of the postmodern subject in contemporary culture. Hope you enjoy it! :) 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podca...

Apr 27, 202434 min

Episode #199 ... A conservative communist's take on global capitalism and desire. (Zizek, Marx, Lacan)

Today we talk about the distinction between left and right. Lacan's thoughts on desire. How Capitalism captures desire and identity. I would prefer not to. Moderately conservative communism. Hope you enjoy it! :) Get more: Website: https://www.philosophizethis.org/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/philosophizethis Find the podcast: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/philosophize-this/id659155419 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Shpxw7dPoxRJCdfFXTWLE RSS: http://www.philosophizet...

Apr 15, 202445 min

Episode #198 ... The truth is in the process. - Zizek pt. 3 (ideology, dialectics)

Today we go into a deeper explanation of ideology and dialectics. Liberal democratic capitalism is featured as a special guest. Hope you enjoy it! :) 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 Learn more about your ...

Mar 24, 202437 min

Episode #197 ... New Atheists and cosmic purpose without God - (Zizek, Goff, Nagel)

As we regularly do on this program-- we steelman different philosophical positions. Hopefully the process brings people some joy. Today we go from ideology, to New Atheism vs Creationism, to Aristotle, to Thomas Nagel, to Phillip Goff's new book called Why? The Purpose of the Universe. 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/phi...

Mar 10, 202439 min

Episode #196 ... The improbable Slavoj Zizek - Part 1

Today we give an introduction to the thinking of Slavoj Zizek-- at least as much as is possible in ~35 mins. The goal is for this to be a primer for the rest of the series. 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...

Feb 24, 202434 min