The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast

A Philosophy Podcast and Philosophy Blog

Subscribe on Android Spotify patreon
Pretty Much Pop logoOn Pretty Much Pop, a philosopher, an actor, and a sci-fi writer (often with entertainment industry guests) talk about media and how we consume it: TV, film, music, novels, games, comics, comedy, theater, podcasts, and more. Most of what (other) people like is pretty weird when you think about it, so thinking about it is what we do.

Subscribe and Follow:

  rss apple facebook twitter Stitcher Audible patreon

Pretty Much Pop #89: The Chicago 7 (and the Aaron Sorkinverse)

by Leave a Comment

Brian, Erica, and Mark consider one of this year’s Oscar-nominated films, The Trial of the Chicago 7, and the film and TV career of its writer/director Aaron Sorkin. We get into The West Wing, The Social Network, Steve Jobs, The Newsroom, and more, focusing on his recurring characters, plots based on true stories, and whether his speechifying is manipulative in the ways that we enjoy or not.

For more, visit prettymuchpop.com. Hear bonus content for this episode at patreon.com/prettymuchpop.

Sponsor: Get premium wireless service starting at $15/month from MintMobile.com/PRETTY.

Ep. 267: Avicenna on God and Soul w/ Peter Adamson (Part One)

by 1 Comment

Subscribe to get Part 2 of this episode. Listen to a preview. Hear this part ad-free.

On selections and commentary about Avicenna’s argument from around 1020 C.E. for the existence of God as a necessary being, plus arguments to prove that God has the person-like properties that Islam imputes to him, and his “flying man” argument for the soul’s essential independence from matter. Featuring Mark, Dylan, and our guest Peter Adamson from the History of Philosophy podcast.

Sponsors: Save 20% on an annual membership of at TheGreatCoursesPlus.com/PEL. Learn about St. John’s College summer programs at SJC.edu/summer2021. Get $90 off your first four meal deliveries and free shipping on the first box at SunBasket.com/PEL (code PEL). Get $75 off your starter teeth-straightening kit via CandidCO.com/pel (code PEL).

Ep. 267: Avicenna on God and Soul w/ Peter Adamson (Part Two for Supporters)

by Leave a Comment

Continuing on Avicenna’s argument for the existence of God and on the “flying man” argument for the soul’s immateriality.

We fill out Avicenna’s metaphysical picture: his concept of necessity, how knowledge means knowing necessary attributions (why self-knowledge can grasp the soul’s character), “mental existence,” infinity, and how God’s character established his uniqueness, simplicity, generosity, and other characteristics.

Ep. 267: Avicenna on God and Soul w/ Peter Adamson (Part One for Supporters)

by Leave a Comment

On selections and commentary about Avicenna’s argument from around 1020 C.E. for the existence of God as a necessary being, plus arguments to prove that God has the person-like properties that Islam imputes to him, and his “flying man” argument for the soul’s essential independence from matter. Featuring Mark, Dylan, and our guest Peter Adamson from the History of Philosophy podcast.

NEM#145: Jay Gonzalez: Concise but Colorful

by Leave a Comment

Jay is best known as sideman for Drive-By Truckers since 2008 but has written songs for Athens bands like The Possibilities and Nutria since the 90s and has three solo releases.

We discuss the title track (and listen at the end to “I Wanna Hold You”) from Back to the Hive (2021), “&#%&#!” and “Shenorock Lane” from The Bitter Suite (2015), and “Turning Me On” from Mess of Happiness (2012). Intro: “Tough to Let Go” by Drive-By Truckers from The New OK (2020). For more see jaygonzalez.com.

Hear more Nakedly Examined Music. Like our Facebook page. Support us on Patreon.

Sponsors: Get 15% off an annual membership at MasterClass.com/examined. Visit nebia.com/nem and use code NEM for 15% off your shower upgrade.

PMP#88: Indie Animation w/ Benjamin Goldman

by Leave a Comment

Animation is so labor-intensive that it seems designed for corporate domination a la Disney. Mark, Erica, and Brian are joined by animator Benjamin Goldman to discuss doing animation on your own.

What qualifies as “indie?” What are we as adult viewers looking from this medium? How do images relate to narration? How realistic should the animation look? You may want to watch Benjamin’s short film (currently featured by The New Yorker) “Eight Nights.”

For more, visit prettymuchpop.com. Hear bonus content for this episode at patreon.com/prettymuchpop.

Sponsor: Get premium wireless service starting at $15/month from MintMobile.com/PRETTY.

PEL Nightcap Early April 2021

by 19 Comments

Recorded 3/16, with a little genetic testing talk, then teaching/audience interaction things we have considered doing. We look forward to Avicenna and an Indian philosophy episode, consider Emily Dickenson, and talk more about our parameters re. what to cover in light of the fun we had with Lear, which was both a secondary source (bad) and basically a third Plato episode in a row (also bad).

Pretty Much Pop #87: Female Buddy Comedies w/ Erica’s Female Buddy Micah Greene

by Leave a Comment

On Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar, and how inserting women into the buddy comedy format might lead to deeper exploration of friendships. Two sets of long-time friends–Erica and Micah, and Mark and Brian–look at tropes and character dynamics, touching on Booksmart, Bridesmaids, Sisters, et al. 

For more, visit prettymuchpop.com. Hear bonus content for this episode at patreon.com/prettymuchpop.

Ep. 266: Jonathan Lear’s Plato: Psyche and Society (Part One)

by 4 Comments

Subscribe to get Part 2 of this episode. Listen to a preview. Hear this part ad-free.

On essays from Lear’s Open Minded: Working Out the Logic of the Soul (1988): “Inside and Outside the Republic,” “Eros and Unknowing: The Psychoanalytic Significance of Plato’s Symposium,” and “An Interpretation of Transference,” which compares Socrates’ questioning with psychotherapy.

Is Plato’s analogy between mind and state in The Republic a good one? What can we learn from it about what makes for a stable, healthy character? How does eros (desire) fit into this picture? Lear gives a creative, helpful reading of Plato informed by psychoanalysis.

Sponsors: Get $200 off a mattress and two free pillows at HelixSleep.com/PEL. Get 50% off The New Yorker and a free tote bag at NewYorker.com/PEL. See headspace.com/PEL for a free month’s access to a library of guided meditations. Learn about St. John’s College at SJC.edu.

Ep. 266: Jonathan Lear’s Plato: Psyche and Society (Part One for Supporters)

by Leave a Comment

On essays from Lear’s Open Minded: Working Out the Logic of the Soul (1988): “Inside and Outside the Republic,” “Eros and Unknowing: The Psychoanalytic Significance of Plato’s Symposium,” and “An Interpretation of Transference,” which compares Socrates’ questioning with psychotherapy.

Is Plato’s analogy between mind and state in The Republic a good one? What can we learn from it about what makes for a stable, healthy character? How does eros (desire) fit into this picture? Lear gives a creative, helpful reading of Plato informed by psychoanalysis.

NEM#144: Dennis Davison (The Jigsaw Seen): How Much Is Enough?

by Leave a Comment

Dennis fronted the Baltimore punk band Ebenezer and The Bludgeons in the late 70s, and after some transitional projects moved to L.A. where his ’60s-ish guitar pop band The Jigsaw Seen released nine albums from 1989-2015.

We discuss “Museum Piece” (and listen to “Shadow on a Tall Tree” at the end) from his debut solo album, The Book Of Strongman (2020); “Idiots with Guitars” from Old Man Reverb (2014); and the title track from My Name Is Tom (1991). Intro: “Jim Is the Devil” (a 1989 single). For more, visit dennisdavisonmusic.com.

Hear more Nakedly Examined Music. Like our Facebook page. Support us on Patreon.

Sponsor: Visit nebia.com/nem and use code NEM for 15% off your shower upgrade.

Pretty Much Pop #86: What Irish Means w/ Black 47’s Larry Kirwan

by Leave a Comment

St. Patrick’s Day has passed: What sort of representation of Ireland has made it to the U.S. through such celebrations? Who gets to decide what’s authentically Irish?

Mark, Erica, and Brian are joined by writer and musician Larry to talk about his immigrant experience, covering history, music, humor, language, slurs, stereotypes, and his new book Rockaway Blue.

For more, visit prettymuchpop.com. Hear bonus content for this episode at patreon.com/prettymuchpop.

Sponsor: Get 15% off your personal safety alarm at ShesBirdie.com/PRETTY.

PEL Nightcap Late March 2021

by 4 Comments

Recorded on March 2 after the Phaedo and before recording on Jonathan Lear’s Open Minded. We talk death, arrogance, and answer letters: one from Cambodia and one asking “IS PEL OVER?” It is not.

Pretty Much Pop #85: What the WandaVision!? w/ Rolando Nieves (and Bonus Aftertalk)

by Leave a Comment

The debut Disney+ Marvel series is… a tribute to classic sit-coms? Mark, Erica, Brian, and guest Rolando try to figure out whether this experiment was successful, whether you have to be a die-hard to get it, and the potential for future oddball superhero outings..

For more, visit prettymuchpop.com. Hear bonus content for this episode at patreon.com/prettymuchpop.

Sponsors: Get 15% off wireless earbuds at BuyRaycon.com/PRETTY. Get AudiblePlus for 30 days free at Audible.com/pretty or text pretty to 500-500.

Pretty Much Pop #84: Musician Memoirs w/ Laura Davis-Chanin

by 1 Comment

Mark, Erica, Brian, and guest memoir author Laura talk about the appeal of this type of book whose production has exploded in recent years. We each read a book, covering Elvis Costello, Carrie Brownstein, Ozzy Osbourne, and Debby Harry respectively. How are these better than a film depiction or documentary biography?

For more, visit prettymuchpop.com. Hear bonus content for this episode at patreon.com/prettymuchpop.

Sponsors: Get 15% off your personal safety alarm at ShesBirdie.com/PRETTY. Get premium wireless for $15/month at MintMobile.com/PRETTY.

Ep. 265: Plato’s “Phaedo”: Philosophy as Training for Death (Part One)

by Leave a Comment

Subscribe to get Part 2 of this episode. Listen to a preview. Hear this part ad-free.

On Plato’s middle dialogue depicting the death of Socrates (390 BCE) depicting the death of Socrates. Should philosophers fear death?

In the course of giving arguments for the immortality of the soul, we get an elaboration of the recollection theory of knowledge (from the Meno) into Plato’s first full account of Forms. But how literally are we supposed to take the words of Socrates as he comforts himself facing mortality?

Sponsors: Visit TheGreatCoursesPlus.com/PEL for a free 14-day trial of unlimited access to The Great Courses Plus Video Learning Service. Try the Audible Plus audiobook library free for 30 days at audible.com/examined or text examined to 500-500. Get $35 off meal delivery at SunBasket.com/PEL, code PEL. Use Uber.com/pel to get $50 credit to buy rides or meal deliveries. Learn about St. John’s College at SJC.edu.

About The Partially Examined Life

The Partially Examined Life is a philosophy podcast by some guys who were at one point set on doing philosophy for a living but then thought better of it. Each episode, we pick a text and chat about it with some balance between insight and flippancy. You don’t have to know any philosophy, or even to have read the text we’re talking about to (mostly) follow and (hopefully) enjoy the discussion

Become a PEL Citizen!

As a PEL Citizen, you’ll have access to a private social community of philosophers, thinkers, and other partial examiners where you can join or initiate discussion groups dedicated to particular readings, participate in lively forums, arrange online meet-ups for impromptu seminars, and more. PEL Citizens also have free access to podcast transcripts, guided readings, episode guides, PEL music, and other citizen-exclusive material. Click here to join.

Blog Post Categories

Follow:

Twitter | Facebook | Google+ | Apple Podcasts