Episodes

  • Episode #249 ... The Trap of Modern Cynicism - Peter Sloterdijk

    Episode #249 ... The Trap of Modern Cynicism - Peter Sloterdijk
    Jun 27 2026
    Today we talk about the book Critique of Cynical Reason by Peter Sloterdijk. Cynicism as a defense mechanism. Why the cynic isn't crazy. The way it ladders up into institutions and infects things like our language. Diogenes as a counter example of a mode of being that rejects pieces of society. Hope you love it. :) Sponsors: Nord VPN: https://nordvpn.com/philothis Exclusive Coveron discount: https://coveron.com/philosophizethis or use the code PHILISOPHIZETHIS at checkout 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
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    34 mins
  • Episode #248 ... What philosophers say about lying.

    Episode #248 ... What philosophers say about lying.
    May 31 2026
    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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    37 mins
  • Episode #247 ... The Failure of the Modern University - Alasdair MacIntyre

    Episode #247 ... The Failure of the Modern University - Alasdair MacIntyre
    May 10 2026
    Today we talk about some of Macintyre's later work. How he thinks philosophy isn’t optional. It’s already hiding inside everything we do. How he thinks modern universities create experts who know their field but not what their work fully means. How real education should produce judgment, not just technical skill. And how important phronesis (practical wisdom) becomes at holding ourselves and our leaders accountable. Hope you love it! :) Sponsors: Nord VPN: https://nordvpn.com/philothis Incogni: https://www.Incogni.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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    29 mins
  • Episode #246 ... The Myth of the Self-Made Person - Alasdair Macintyre

    Episode #246 ... The Myth of the Self-Made Person - Alasdair Macintyre
    Apr 26 2026
    Today we talk about Macintyre's book Dependent Rational Animals. Hope you love it. :) Sponsors: Nord VPN: https://nordvpn.com/philothis Saily: https://www.saily.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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    33 mins
  • Episode #245 ... The Rival Moral Approaches of the Modern World - Alasdair Macintyre

    Episode #245 ... The Rival Moral Approaches of the Modern World - Alasdair Macintyre
    Apr 12 2026
    Today we talk about the book Three Rival Versions of Moral Enquiry by Alasdair Macintyre. We talk about each of the different sets of assumptions people bring to moral debates that often contain the true location of the disagreement. Hope you love it. :) Sponsors: Nord VPN: https://nordvpn.com/philothis Incogni: https://www.Incogni.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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    33 mins
  • Episode #244 ... After Virtue - Alasdair MacIntyre (why moral conversations feel unsatisfying)

    Episode #244 ... After Virtue - Alasdair MacIntyre (why moral conversations feel unsatisfying)
    Feb 11 2026
    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: 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
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    37 mins
  • Episode #243 ... Hamlet - William Shakespeare

    Episode #243 ... Hamlet - William Shakespeare
    Dec 27 2025
    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/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/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
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    31 mins
  • Episode #242 ... Romeo and Juliet - William Shakespeare

    Episode #242 ... Romeo and Juliet - William Shakespeare
    Nov 29 2025
    Today we talk about the philosophy behind the play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. We talk about how ineffective violence and honor codes are as ways of maintaining the stability of a society. How catastrophe may be a deterrent to violence. The tension presented by Shakespeare between a Christian view of love, marriage and salvation and an alternative religion of love from his time. How in the kinds of love we most admire there is sometimes an element of irrationality that makes it possible. Hope you love it. :) Sponsors: ZocDoc: https://www.ZocDoc.com/PHILO Quince: https://www.QUINCE.com/pt 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    31 mins