Continuing on Albert Camus's 1947 novel, covering the old functionary Grand, the criminal (or just paranoid?) Cottard, and more of our narrators Dr. Rieux and his doomed friend Tarrou, plus more on the overall message of the book and how it might relate to our current situation. Start with part one or get the unbroken Citizen Edition. Please support PEL! End song: "You Continue Reading …
Ep. 244: Camus on Strategies for Facing Plague (Part One)
On Albert Camus's novel The Plague (1947), which has been selling out lately like N95 COVID-19 face masks. How shall we face adversity? Camus gives us colorful characters that embody various approaches. Should we put faith in God (Paneloux), or refuse to believe that a God would allow such suffering (Rieux)? Should you dwell on the one you love that the plague is keeping you Continue Reading …
Ep. 244: Camus on Strategies for Facing Plague (Citizen Edition)
On Albert Camus's novel The Plague (1947), which has been selling out lately like N95 COVID-19 face masks. How shall we face adversity? Camus gives us colorful characters that embody various approaches. Should we put faith in God (Paneloux), or refuse to believe that a God would allow such suffering (Rieux)? Should you dwell on the one you love that the plague is keeping you Continue Reading …
Ep. 205: Suicide with Dr. Drew (Durkheim et al) (Part Two)
More on philosophical and psychological interpretations of and judgments about suicide with guest Drew Pinsky. Is suicide an epidemic or a choice? Could it be both? Socrates didn't fear death and inspired Stoics and others to see suicide in some circumstances as brave. Or is it always cowardly? Does meaninglessness motivate suicide? If so, why should it? Listen to part Continue Reading …
Ep. 205: Suicide with Dr. Drew (Durkheim et al) (Part One)
We are rejoined by Drew Pinsky to discuss philosophical, psychological, and sociological readings on suicide. Is suicide ever morally permissible? If it's a symptom of mental illness rather than a chosen behavior, is it even appropriate to morally evaluate it? Last time Drew joined us, he helped us add clinical depth to an area that we'd already talked about Continue Reading …
Phi Fic #10 “The Fall” by Albert Camus
We discuss the novel about what you do when you're "called" and how you live afterward. You can listen along while Cezary, Daniel, Laura, Mary, and Nathan discuss The Fall by Albert Camus, which Sartre claimed was "perhaps the most beautiful and the least understood" of Camus's books. We get to know Jean-Baptiste Clamence, a renowned and successful Parisian attorney, as he Continue Reading …
Not School Intro Group: Camus’s “Myth of Sisyphus”
Brian Wilson leads a seminar on Albert Camus's essay "The Myth of Sissyphus," deepening our look into Camus following PEL ep. 4. With Jim Rice and Preston Price. Recorded 8/8/16. Continue Reading …
Not School Digest: Asimov, Camus, Jaspers, Brecht, Peirce, Historical Jesus
Discussion clips covering topic we haven't had time to cover on the podcast proper. Brief yourself on these topics via the enclosed 10–15 minute bursts, or become a PEL Citizen to listen to these bonus discussions in their full length. Mark is joined by Nathan Hanks to tell you how to get involved in a discussion yourself. First, learn about Isaac Asimov's story, "The Last Continue Reading …
Not School Fiction Group: Albert Camus’ “The Fall” (Phi-Fi #16)
The Philosophical Fiction group, featuring Nathan Hanks, Daniel, Cezary, Laura, and Mary, in conversation on the novel by Albert Camus, The Fall. Recorded 8/30/15. We discuss the "portrait as a mirror," "party guilt," Jesus, traffic, and the human condition. Also, by way of clarifying, I was thinking of this false story surrounding "In the Air Tonight" by Phil Continue Reading …