PEL Presents NEM#223: Dale Crover (Melvins) the Accidentalist
Though Dale is known as the long-time drummer for Washington sludge-metal band Melvins ('88-present), he's also a guitarist and singer who led the band Altamont though four alternative rock albums ('97-'05) and has now released his third full-length, stylistically varied solo album. We discuss "I Quit" from Glossolalia (2024), "Bad Move" from The Fickle Finger of Fate (2017), and "The Bit" by ...
1hr 10m Sep 29, 2024
1hr 10m
Ep. 350: Rorty on Justification and Essentialism (Part Two)
Concluding on "Universality and Truth" from Richard Rorty's Pragmatism As Anti-Authoritarianism. It it coherent to simply not have a theory of truth? Rorty claims that he's not a relativist; he's just avoiding some useless parts of philosophy that just cause problems, including inculcating the respect for a non-human absolute, and this attitude undermines democracy. Get more at partiallyexamin...
52m Sep 23, 2024
52m
PEL Presents PvI#82: LIVE in Personability w/ James Whittington
Chicago's iO Theater was graced on August 21 by Mark, Bill, and special guest theater educator James Whittington (https://www.secondcity.com/people/james-whittington) , who spoke about embodiment (see Maurice Merleau-Ponty (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/tag/maurice-merleau-ponty/) ), the possible disconnect between meaning and tone, and being in the physical presence of greatness. They acte...
54m Sep 21, 2024
54m
Ep. 350: Rorty on Justification and Essentialism (Part One)
On "Universality and Truth" and "Pan-Relationalism," which are lectures 3-5 in Richard Rorty's Pragmatism As Anti-Authoritarianism. How do we justify democracy? Rorty says we don't have to refer to transcendent Truth or Good to do this. He also denies the disinction between essential and accidental properties, and in fact between substance and property: Everything is just described in terms of...
51m Sep 16, 2024
51m
PEL Presents PMP#181: M. Night Shyamalan's Films Are a Trap
In light of the new film Trap, we look at this writer/director's oeuvre. Was he a bright light (The Sixth Sense) that at one point went out (certainly by The Happening), and has that light gone back on as he's regained full control in his most recent films (Knock at the Cabin, The Visit, et al.)? Is he a genius, overrated, or somehow both? Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn and Al disagree both about Tr...
56m Sep 15, 2024
56m
PEL Presents NEM#222: Amy Rigby's Nostalgic Simplicity
Amy started out as an NYC punk fan, was in the "cow punk" band Last Roundup with her brother, and then in a vocal trio called The Shams that released an album and an EP around 1993. She finally emerged as a full front-person as a solo artist in 1997; she's since released nine solo albums plus three more with her husband Wreckless Eric (https://nakedlyexaminedmusic.com/nem206-wreckless-eric/) , ...
1hr 15m Sep 13, 2024
1hr 15m
Ep. 349: Rorty's Pluralistic Pragmatism (Part Two)
Continuing on Richard Rorty's Pragmatism As Anti-Authoritarianism, ch. 1, "Pragmatism and Religion" and 2, "Pragmatism as Romantic Polytheism." Rorty evaluates past pragmatists' approaches to religion, arguing contra James that it can't be "privatized," that democratic social goals involve shared rationality, which means that all of our beliefs are open to the judgment of our peers. Get more ...
51m Sep 09, 2024
51m
PREMIUM-Closereads: Merleau-Ponty on the Body
We begin a long series on Maurice Merleau-Ponty's "Phenomenology of Perception" (1945), focusing on Part I, "The Body": "Experience and Objective Thought." To get the whole recording (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2024/09/09/closereads-merleau-ponty-on-the-body-part-one/) , you can become a PEL Citizen (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/membership-options/) , or simply go subscribe to the ...
15m Sep 06, 2024
15m
Ep. 349: Rorty's Pluralistic Pragmatism (Part One)
On Richard Rorty's Pragmatism As Anti-Authoritarianism (1997), ch. 1-2 about religion. Should democracy be defended on absolutist grounds, e.g. by reference to God-given or natural rights, the nature of Man, or the dictates of Reason? Rorty says no! Democracy, ethics, and even truth itself are a matter for societies to decide for themselves. Monotheistic religion provides a negative model for ...
47m Sep 02, 2024
47m
PEL Presents PMP#180: Season Four Wrap: Nostalgia
As Pretty Much Pop ends its 5th year of podcasting, Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn and Al break from our usual format to talk in a more free-form way about the thin line between the "new" media we talk about on the show and the classics of yesteryear. For more, visit prettymuchpop.com (http://prettymuchpop.com/) . Hear bonus content at https://www.patreon.com/prettymuchpop or by subscribing via Appl...
42m Aug 31, 2024
42m
Ep. 348: Tim Williamson's Knowledge-First Epistemology (Part Two)
Continuing on "Knowledge First Epistemology" (2011), "Justifications, Excuses, and Sceptical Scenarios" (2015), and "Morally Loaded Cases in Philosophy" (2019). How does knowledge-first epistemology relate to reliabilism? What are its moral implications? Does W. have a good argument against relativism and skepticism? Get more at partiallyexaminedlife.com (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/) ....
51m Aug 26, 2024
51m
PREMIUM-PEL End-of-Summer Nightcap 2024
Mark, Wes, and Dylan again talk politics, including conspiracy theorist psychology, whether post-modernism is responsible for current "post-truth" discourse on the Right (see the PvI David Shields episode (https://philosophyimprov.com/pvi80-alternative-facts-david-shields/) ), our previous guest John Ganz who now has a bestselling book (https://www.amazon.com/When-Clock-Broke-Conspiracists-Amer...
9m Aug 25, 2024
9m
Ep. 348: Tim Williamson's Knowledge-First Epistemology (Part One)
On "Knowledge First Epistemology" (2011), "Justifications, Excuses, and Sceptical Scenarios" (2015), and "Morally Loaded Cases in Philosophy" (2019). Is knowledge basic, or is it dissolvable into more basic ingredients such as justification, truth, and belief? Williamson argues that these latter things should instead be defined in terms of knowledge. Get more at partiallyexaminedlife.com (htt...
48m Aug 19, 2024
48m
PEL Presents PMP#179: Deadpool Gets Meta
We discuss the Deadpool films in light of the new Deadpool & Wolverine, which leaves the fourth wall thoroughly smashed. Is the new film just a meta-text about the existence of other Marvel films? Is this just a particularly irreverent phase in superhero films (contra Christopher Nolan Batman seriousness)? Featuring Mark, Sarah, Al, Lawrence, and Al. For more, visit prettymuchpop.com (http://p...
52m Aug 18, 2024
52m
PEL Presents NEM#221: David Nagler Goes Brazilian
The New York-based singer/keyboardist/guitarist had several releases with Nova Social from '98-'14 while also serving as music director for Wesley Stace's Cabinet of Wonders (https://www.cabinetofwonders.com/) variety show. After four solo releases, he's formed a new project setting his droll lyrics in a '60s Brazilian setting called As For the Future. We discuss "Koan for the Music Business" ...
1hr 23m Aug 16, 2024
1hr 23m
Ep. 347: Nyaya Sutra Against Buddhist Skeptics (Part Two)
Mark, Seth, and Dylan now turn to ch. 4 of Dasti/Phillips' Nyaya Sutra: Selections with Early Commentaries about the self. Buddhism famously claims that there is no self, and the Nyaya philosophers respond with both common-sensical arguments (e.g. psychological properties must be possessed by something) and religious (without a soul, what persists through reincarnation?). Get more at partially...
38m Aug 12, 2024
38m
PEL Presents PvI#80: Brief, Alternative Facts with David Shields
Internationally best-selling author David (https://www.davidshields.com/)  wrote a book (https://sublationmedia.com/product/how-we-got-here-melville-plus-nietzsche-divided-by-the-square-root-of-allan-bloom-times-zizek-squared-equals-bannon-by-david-shields/)  (and made a film (https://www.how-we-got-here-film.com/) ) called How We Got Here, which traces the gradual path in the history of ideas ...
47m Aug 11, 2024
47m
Announcement: Philosophy vs. Improv Live in Chicago on Wed. 8/21
Mark and Bill (with a special improvising philosopher guest) will be recording our PvI season finale live on stage at the iO Theater (aka The Freemont) in Chicago at 1501 N Kingsbury St, on Wednesday, Aug. 21 from 6-7pm. Please come join us! This is a FREE SHOW, with no need to buy tickets in advance and plenty of street parking. After watching us, stick around for Bill's regular Wednesday imp...
1m Aug 11, 2024
1m
Ep. 346: Nyaya Sutra Against Buddhist Skeptics (Part One)
We're continuing to explore Nyaya epistemology, in this part focusing on ch. 3, "In Defense of the Real," in Nyaya Sutra: Selections with Early Commentaries (2017). Sponsors: Apply for convenient term life insurance from Fabric by Gerber Life at https://meetfabric.com/PEL. Get a $1/month e-commerce trial at https://shopify.com/pel. Time is short for your enrollment in Mark's Big Books in Cont...
52m Aug 05, 2024
52m
PEL Presents NEM#220: Jah Wobble's Bass Worship
John Wardle (named Jah Wobble by Sid Vicious) started playing bass in John Lydon's post Sex Pistols band Public Image Ltd. in 1978, left after two albums, and has since recorded 50+ solo and collaborative albums, largely led by the bass, but spanning many genres including some particularly famous work in the world-music area. We discuss "Last Exit" from A Brief History of Now (2023), "21 Towar...
1hr 17m Aug 03, 2024
1hr 17m
Ep. 346: Nyaya Sutra on Knowledge (Part Two)
Continuing on ch. 1, "Knowledge Sources," of the Matthew Dasti/Stephen Phillips presentation of the Nyaya-Sutra: Selections with Early Commentaries. We finish up perception and then talk about inference and testimony. Are these all independent sources, or do they, e.g. all reduce ultimately to perception as Western empiricists claim? Get more at partiallyexaminedlife.com (https://partiallyexa...
53m Jul 29, 2024
53m
PEL Presents PMP#178: The Bear's Incomplete Dish
We discuss Christopher Storer's culinary dramedy in light of the release of its strange third season. What made this a uniquely wonderful show in its first season? Is the unsatisfying character of this season just a matter of its being only the first half of what was originally planned? We talk about the flashbacks, the cameos, the comedy, "food porn," and more. For more, visit prettymuchpop.c...
55m Jul 28, 2024
55m
PEL Presents PvI#79: Edificial Intentions with Danny Mora
Danny was in a sketch troupe called Maximum Party Zone with your improv host Bill, and they've now revived that trio to create the MPZ Listening Party podcast (https://maximumpartyzone.podbean.com/) , which workshops sketch ideas in real time as a fun form of conversation. So we try out their shtick, combining two properties (The Apprentice and Argyle) and brainstorming about serial killer bran...
52m Jul 26, 2024
52m
Ep. 346: Nyaya Sutra on Knowledge (Part One)
On The Nyaya Sutra: Selections with Early Commentaries, originally by Gautama (ca. 150 CE), plus explanations by Vatsyayana (450 CE), Uddyotakara (550), and Vācaspatimiśra (900), and the editors Matthew Dasti and Stephen Phillips (2017). We discuss "knowledge sources," mostly in this part the various kinds of perception, which is supposed to be inerrant and non-linguistic. Illusions aren't bad...
46m Jul 22, 2024
46m
PEL Presents PMP#177: Inside Out - Animated Psyche
We discuss the 2015 and 2024 Pixar films by writer/director Pete Docter , featuring the usual crew of Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al. These films show kids that it's OK to be sad and how to cope with anxiety. Is the films' emotional impact objectionably manipulative? Does the "mental landscape" depicted helpfully represent the various elements we juggle, or is it just a fun pile of metaphors...
50m Jul 19, 2024
50m
Ep. 345: William James on Religious Experience (Part Two)
Continuing on The Varieties of Religious Experience (1902). Does James' claim that science and culture shouldn't ignore the subjective point of view really mean that the religious objects that motivate people are metaphysically real? Is the "unseen realm" part of our common world? Get more at partiallyexaminedlife.com (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/) . Visit https://partiallyexaminedlife.c...
52m Jul 15, 2024
52m
PEL Presents NEM#219: Oliver Wakeman Beyond the Keyboard
Oliver, son of Rick, has played on around 50 albums, including maybe 10 solo albums plus collaborations with Clive Nolan, Steve Howe, Gordon Giltrap, Yes, Starcastle, Light Freedom Revival, and more. We discuss "Golden Sun in Grey" from Anam Cara (2024), "Is This the Last Song I Write?" from Ravens and Lullabies (2013), and "Mind Over Matter" from The 3 Ages of Magick (2001). End song: "To the...
1hr 50m Jul 14, 2024
1hr 50m
Announcement: Mark's "Big Books in Continental Philosophy" Fall 2024 Class
Do you want to wrestle yourself with some of the weirdest and most engaging texts in philosophical history? Do you want to do this in a beginner-friendly environment with a familiar voice guiding you and sharp fellow learners? Consider signing up for Mark's Fall class, and experience Hegel, Sartre, Arendt, and more first hand in a supportive, low-risk environment. See http://partiallyexaminedl...
6m Jul 13, 2024
6m
Ep. 345: William James on Religious Experience (Part One)
On The Varieties of Religious Experience (1902), focusing on lectures 1-3 and 20. What is religion and how should philosophers study it? James describes it as a sincere, full-life reaction to the world, more emotional than intellectual, and conveys the experiences of the extreme "religious geniuses" that are merely received second or third hand by the believing masses. Get more at partiallyex...
47m Jul 08, 2024
47m
PEL Presents PvI#78: We Essence Merge with Tamler Sommers (Very Bad Wizards)
Tamler (https://www.tamlersommers.com/) teaches philosophy at The University of Houston and hosts the Very Bad Wizards podcast (https://verybadwizards.com/) . He joins Mark and Bill to talk about personal identity and whether the "self" is necessarily co-extensive with a particular body. Plus: meditation, Daniel Day Improv's method acting, All of Me vs. Regarding Henry, what does "metaphysics" ...
1hr 2m Jul 06, 2024
1hr 2m
PREMIUM-PEL Mid-Summer Nightcap 2024
Mark, Wes, and Seth talk about worries about the utility of various subgenres or explanation types in philosophy, Dr. Drew's recent interview with Seth and Seth's writing project about non-linguistic communication, accuracy in historical or scientific details in philosophy, and our current political moment (our candidate choices, the debate, etc.). If you're not hearing the full version of thi...
12m Jul 05, 2024
12m
Ep. 344: Gettier and Goldman on Justified True Belief (Part Two)
On "What Is Justified Belief?" (1979) by Alvin Goldman, where he tries to come up with a "function" for justification: If a belief has such-and-such non-epistemic properties, then it counts as justified. Get more at partiallyexaminedlife.com (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/) . Visit https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/support to get ad-free episodes and tons of bonus discussion. Sponsor: Get...
51m Jul 01, 2024
51m
PEL Presents PMP#176: Furiosa: Are We Mad Maxed Out?
Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al discuss the five films in George Miller's Mad Max/Road Warrior franchise. What was the original appeal of the series, and has this changed? Are we still afraid of an "Apunkalypse," or is this just an aesthetic to be ripped off by Fallout and other properties? How can films 80% occupied by car chases be actually good? Is Mad Max an icon a la Indiana Jones, and is...
54m Jun 30, 2024
54m
PEL Presents NEM#218: Pat Mastelotto: Prog Neanderthal Drum-Painting
Pat has been a session drummer since the mid '70s, was a founding member of Mr. Mister in the '80s, and played in all line-ups of King Crimson since '94. He's also a producer and no stranger to electronics. We discuss "31" by Tu-Ner from T-1 Contact Information  (2023), "Flinch" by TUNER from Totem (2005), "Life Goes On" by Mr. Mister from I Wear the Face (1984), and we conclude by listening t...
1hr 23m Jun 29, 2024
1hr 23m
Ep. 344: Gettier and Goldman on Justified True Belief (Part One)
On "Is Justified True Belief Knowledge?" (1963) by Edmund Gettier, "What Is Justified Belief?" (1979) by Alvin Goldman, and "The Inescapability of Gettier Problems" (1994) by Linda Zagzebski. What is knowledge? Even if a belief is true and justified, does that make it knowledge? Gettier came up with exceptions, and other philosophers tried to figure out how to revise "justification" to rule th...
42m Jun 23, 2024
42m
PEL Presents PvI #77: Fashionation with Sheri Flanders
The actor/writer/comedian (https://sheriflanders.com/) joins us to talk about the philosophy of fashion, from the ancients to the present: Is clothing a mode of self-expression or something more (or less)? What does retro fashion say about the current state of culture? Are philosophers anti-fashion, and is that sexist? What color wedding dress is best for an arranged marriage? Are improv scenes...
59m Jun 22, 2024
59m
Pretty Much Pop #175: Podcast of the Planet of the Apes
We discuss the ten films that all started with the 1968 Charlton Heston vehicle (based on Pierre Boulle's 1963 novel) through the latest offering, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. What psychologically are these films about? Which parts of this sprawling franchise are worth your time? For more, visit prettymuchpop.com (http://prettymuchpop.com/) . Hear bonus content at https://www.patreon.com...
54m Jun 18, 2024
54m
Ep. 343: Plotinus the Neo-Platonist (Part Two)
Continuing with guest Chris Sunami, mostly discussing "The Good or The One," though we start off by completing "The Descent of the Soul" about why there is something rather than nothing, given that materiality is so undesirable compared to The One. Get more at partiallyexaminedlife.com (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/) . Visit https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/support to get ad-free episode...
50m Jun 17, 2024
50m
Psychedelic Regrets in "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" (Part 5)
Wes & Erin continue their discussion of "Rime of the Ancient Mariner." Thanks to our sponsor for this episode, HelloFresh. Go to HelloFresh.com/subtextapps for free appetizers for life.
46m Jun 15, 2024
46m
PEL Presents NEM#217: Richard Thompson's Moments in Time
Richard started as guitarist in the folk-rock staple Fairport Convention in 1967 but left in 1970 after five albums. He then recorded his debut solo album, six as Richard and Linda Thompson, and has since recorded 20 more solo albums of lyrically inventive, stylistically varied tunes that nearly always feature very skilled guitar work. We discuss "Freeze," the first single from his new album S...
1hr 16m Jun 14, 2024
1hr 16m
PEL Presents PvI#76: Hello, Larry w/ Lawrence Ware
The philosopher and entertainment journalist direct from Mark's Pretty Much Pop podcast (https://prettymuchpop.com/)  joins PvI for an hour of merriment. We talk parenthood, philosophy of race, the RULES of improv (or the singular answer to a philosophy question), old 9th graders, one black Peggy, using racy improv in a classroom setting, and more. Mark philosophizes at partiallyexaminedlife.c...
59m Jun 09, 2024
59m
Ep. 343: Plotinus the Neo-Platonist (Part One)
On selections from the Enneads (270 C.E.), as presented by Elmer O'Brien as the first four essays in The Essential Plotinus: "Beauty," "The Intelligence, Ideas and Being," "The Descent of the Soul," and "The Good or The One." Featuring Mark, Wes, Dylan, Seth, and guest Chris Sunami (https://www.kitoba.com/) . Get more at partiallyexaminedlife.com (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/) . Visit ht...
39m Jun 09, 2024
39m
Psychedelic Regrets in "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" (Part 4)
Wes & Erin continue their discussion of "Rime of the Ancient Mariner."
43m Jun 08, 2024
43m
Ep. 342: Zhuangzi on Knowledge and Virtue (Part Two)
We're concluding our treatment of the Daoist sage, focusing on the relation between metaphysics and ethics. Is a "wu wei" (non-action) philosophy compatible with fighting for justice? Does it even necessitate kindness? Get more at partiallyexaminedlife.com (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/) . Visit https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/support to get ad-free episodes and tons of bonus discussion...
43m Jun 03, 2024
43m
PEL Presents PMP#174: Fallout Plays Post-Apocalyptic
Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn and Al discuss the new Amazon TV show based on on the video game series that launched in 1997. How does one best adapt a sandbox game? How dark is too dark for comedy? We talk world-building and exposition dumps, narrative structure and character revelation, and morality in a ruined world. For more, visit prettymuchpop.com (http://prettymuchpop.com/) . Hear bonus conte...
56m Jun 02, 2024
56m
Ep. 342: Zhuangzi on Knowledge and Virtue (Part One)
More on the Zhuangzi, books 1-6 and 17-19 with guest Theo Brooks. We discuss epistemology (Can we know the mind of someone else? How can virtue make truth more accessible?), metaphysics (Is the world constantly changing such that we can't actually refer to anything? Does each thing somehow contain its opposite in virtue of being defined by its contrast with all that it is not?), and ethics (Wh...
43m May 27, 2024
43m
PEL Presents NEM#216: Kim Richey Learns to Cherish Collaboration
Kim has recorded about ten meticulously recorded country-evolving-to Americana albums out of Nashville since 1995. We discuss "Joy Rider" (and listen at the end to "Floating on the Surface") from Every New Beginning (2024), "A Place Called Home" from Rise (2002), and "I’m Alright" from Bitter Sweet (1997), which is also the home of the intro, "Every River." More at kimrichey.com (https://kimric...
1hr 12m May 26, 2024
1hr 12m
Closereads: Zhuangzi, Ch. 19: "Fathoming Life" (aka PEL Ep. 341 Supplemental)
Mark and Wes read through and discuss the first couple of pages of ch. 19, "Fathoming Life," How does Daoism compare to Stoicism, Aristotelianism, and Existentialism? How can being a Daoist sage keep one from harm? How is a really effective cicada catcher such a sage? Get more on Zhuangzi at partiallyexaminedlife.com (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/) . Sign up for the new Closereads public...
1hr 5m May 19, 2024
1hr 5m
PEL Presents SUBTEXT - Psychedelic Regrets in "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" (Part 1)
The ancient Mariner kills his Albatross with a carelessness that stands in stark contrast to his impulse for confession. For several days he and his shipmates feed the albatross, play with it, and treat it as if it were inhabited by a “Christian soul.” The mariner never tells the wedding guest why it is that he kills the bird, but the casual and seemingly unmotivated act is followed by a psyche...
53m May 19, 2024
53m
Pretty Much Pop #173: Cowboy Beyoncé? (Cross-Genre Music)
Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al look at pop music and the idea of genre. Beyoncé is beloved enough that she can do whatever she wants to musically, but the response to her Cowboy Carter album among country music listeners has been pretty critical. Is it real country, and what is it to even ask that question? Is gate-keeping about your favorite genre always stupid? For more, visit prettymuchpo...
1hr 5m May 18, 2024
1hr 5m