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.
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Episodes

Episode #188 ... Achievement Society and the rise of narcissism, depression and anxiety - Byung-Chul Han

Today we talk about positive power, neoliberalism, narcissism as a reaction to modern life, how technology makes isolation easier, and some tactics to find peace in the digital panopticon. Get more: Website: https://www.philosophizethis.org/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/philosophizethis Be social: Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamstephenwest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philosophizethispodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@philosophizethispodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p...

Sep 07, 202333 min

Episode #187 ... How much freedom would you trade for security? (Foucault, Hobbes, Mill, Agamben)

On today's episode we talk about the upsides of a surveillance state. The ongoing social dilemma of freedom vs security. The value of privacy. States of exception. And Deleuze's Postscript on Societies of Control. Get more: Website: https://www.philosophizethis.org/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/philosophizethis Philosophize This! Clips: https://www.youtube.com/@philosophizethisclips Be social: Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamstephenwest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philosophizethispo...

Aug 31, 202337 min

Episode #186 ... Are we heading for a digital prison? - Panopticon (Foucault, Bentham, Cave)

Today we talk about Jeremy Bentham's concept of the Panopticon. Michel Foucault's comparison to society in 1975. The historical role of intelligence as a justification for dominance. The anatomy of free will, and how a digital world may systematically limit our free will without us knowing it. Get more: Website: https://www.philosophizethis.org/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/philosophizethis Philosophize This! Clips: https://www.youtube.com/@philosophizethisclips Be social: Twitter: https://t...

Aug 24, 202337 min

Episode #185 ... Should we prepare for an AI revolution?

Today we talk about the revolutionary potential of generative AI. For better or worse. Support the podcast by checking out our sponsors: Better Help - https://www.betterhelp.com/PHILTHIS LMNT - https://www.drinkLMNT.com/PHILO Get more: Website: https://www.philosophizethis.org/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/philosophizethis Philosophize This! Clips: https://www.youtube.com/@philosophizethisclips Be social: Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamstephenwest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philos...

Aug 10, 202339 min

Episode #184 ... Is Artificial Intelligence really an existential risk?

Stephen West discusses the philosophical implications of artificial intelligence, moving beyond the idea of technology as a neutral tool. He examines the distinctions between narrow, general, and superintelligence, and presents Sam Harris's thought experiments on living with advanced AI. The episode critically analyzes the "alignment" and "control" problems, debating whether humanity can safely manage a superintelligent entity or if we are already in an unavoidable technological race.

Aug 02, 202335 min

Episode #183 ... Is ChatGPT really intelligent?

The podcast delves into the philosophical debate surrounding AI intelligence, starting with Alan Turing's test and John Searle's Chinese Room argument, which distinguishes between symbolic manipulation and true understanding. It then updates this discussion with Noam Chomsky's critique of large language models like ChatGPT, arguing they are engineering feats that predict text, not systems capable of novel explanations or genuine human-like intelligence. The episode concludes by highlighting the dangers of public misunderstanding and overhyping AI, diverting attention from real global threats.

Jul 22, 202330 min

Episode #182 ... What if free will is an illusion?

Get more: Website: https://www.philosophizethis.org/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/philosophizethis Philosophize This! Clips: https://www.youtube.com/@philosophizethisclips Be social: Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamstephenwest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philosophizethispodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@philosophizethispodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/philosophizethisshow Thank you for making the show possible. 🙂 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoice...

Jul 02, 202328 min

Episode #181 ... What if consciousness is an illusion?

Get more: Website: https://www.philosophizethis.org/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/philosophizethis Philosophize This! Clips: https://www.youtube.com/@philosophizethisclips Be social: Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamstephenwest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philosophizethispodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@philosophizethispodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/philosophizethisshow Thank you for making the show possible. 🙂 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoice...

Jun 23, 202325 min

Episode #179 ... Why is consciousness something worth talking about?

This episode delves into the profound relevance of consciousness, exploring why its nature is a critical contemporary debate. It contrasts scientific and philosophical approaches, dissecting concepts like access vs. phenomenal consciousness, the "hard problem," and historical views like Cartesian dualism. Through thought experiments like the philosophical zombie and discussions on AI and animal rights, the host illustrates how our assumptions about consciousness impact morality, society, and our understanding of the world.

Apr 24, 202336 min

Episode #178 ... Susan Sontag - How Much Is Your View Of Everything Affected By Metaphors?

Get more: Website: https://www.philosophizethis.org/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/philosophizethis Philosophize This! Clips: https://www.youtube.com/@philosophizethisclips Be social: Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamstephenwest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philosophizethispodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@philosophizethispodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/philosophizethisshow Thank you for making the show possible. 🙂 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoice...

Apr 05, 202337 min

Episode #177 ... Susan Sontag - Do you speak the language of pictures and videos?

Get more: Website: https://www.philosophizethis.org/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/philosophizethis Philosophize This! Clips: https://www.youtube.com/@philosophizethisclips Be social: Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamstephenwest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ philosophizethispodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@philosophizethispodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/philosophizethisshow Thank you for making the show possible. 🙂 RSS: http://www.philosophizethis.libsyn.org/ Learn m...

Mar 22, 202333 min

Episode #175 ... Simone Weil - Vessels of God

Today we continue talking about the work of Simone Weil. www.philosophizethis.org www.patreon.com/philosophizethis www.instagram.com/philosophizethisshow www.twitter.com/iamstephenwest Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Feb 02, 202328 min

Episode #174 ... Simone Weil - The Mathematician

Today we continue talking about the work of the brilliant Simone Weil. Hope you love it. www.philosophizethis.org www.patreon.com/philosophizethis www.instagram.com/philosophizethisshow www.twitter.com/iamstephenwest Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Feb 02, 202331 min

Episode #173 ... Simone Weil - The Need for Roots

Today we continue talking about Simone Weil. Hope you love it. www.philosophizethis.org www.patreon.com/philosophizethis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 10, 202331 min

Episode #172 ... Simone Weil - Attention

Today we begin some general discussions in the direction of the thought of Simone Weil and tell some stories from her life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 21, 202238 min

Episode #170 ... Albert Camus - The Fall

Today we explore some of the themes discussed in The Fall by Albert Camus. 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 podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Sep 23, 202239 min

Episode #169 ... Bruno Latour - We Have Never Been Modern

Today we cover thought provoking pieces of an early work by a great philosopher named Bruno Latour. Hope you love 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 podcastchoices...

Aug 20, 202229 min

Episode #168 ... Introduction to an Ethics of Care

Today we begin discussing an Ethics of Care. 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 podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Jul 13, 202242 min

Episode #167 ... Jose Ortega - Revolt of the Masses

Today we continue talking about the work of Ortega. This time about his book Revolt of the Masses. 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 podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Jun 25, 202226 min

Episode #166 ... Jose Ortega - Circumstance

Today we begin talking about the work of Jose Ortega Y Gasset. 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 podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Jun 01, 202230 min

Episode #165 ... Ralph Waldo Emerson - Nature and Other Things

Today we continue our discussion of Emerson. 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 podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Apr 30, 202228 min

Episode #164 ... Ralph Waldo Emerson - Self Reliance

Today we talk about Emerson and his essay about self reliance. 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 podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Apr 22, 202233 min

Episode #163 ... The Creation of Meaning - Escape From Evil

Today we continue talking about the work of Ernest Becker. 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 podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Mar 02, 202230 min

Episode #162 ... The Creation of Meaning - The Denial of Death

Today we begin talking about the work of Ernest Becker. 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 podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Jan 25, 202226 min

Episode #161 ... Karl Popper - The Open Society and Its Enemies

Today we talk about a famous book from the work of Karl Popper. 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 podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Jan 15, 202232 min

Episode #160 ... The Creation of Meaning - Kierkegaard - Silence, Obedience and Joy

Today we discuss the work of Soren Kierkegaard. His famous work The Lily of the Field and The Bird of The Air. 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 podcastchoices.com/ad...

Jan 05, 202236 min

Episode #159 ... The Creation of Meaning - Nietzsche - Amor Fati

Today we continue our discussion on the creation of meaning. 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 podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Nov 10, 202129 min
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