Buddhism vs. Evolution with Guest Robert Wright (Part One)
Bob joins Mark, Seth, Wes, and Dylan to discuss his new book Why Buddhism Is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment. Bob is a best-selling author and scholar in the area of evolutionary psychology (as well as a podcaster: check out bloggingheads.tv). His past books like Nonzero and The Moral Animal lay down foundations for talking about the evolutionary reasons why we...
55m Sep 04, 2017
55m
NEM#53: David Brookings Is Obsessed
David has recorded seven albums since 2000. Usually one wants to avoid the term "Beatlesque," but David is a Beatles freak who once recorded his performances all 209 Beatles songs over 209 days. We discuss "Time to Go" from David Brookings and the Average Lookings (2016), "Dead Battery" from Chorus Verses the Bridge (2005), and the title track from Obsessed (2007). We conclude by listening to "...
58m Sep 01, 2017
58m
Second Opinions: Leftists on "Society of the Spectacle"
By popular demand, here's part 3 of discussion of Debord. Does PEL have the cred to discuss neo-Marxism? Do we just not GET IT, what with our bourgeois outlooks that always split the difference between extremes and so espouse moderation? Are we perhaps too blinded by the spectacle to even see it? Well, Mark and Seth use this extra hour to ask some leftist podcasters what they think of Debord ...
1hr 11m Aug 28, 2017
1hr 11m
Episode 170 Second Opinions: Leftists on "Society of the Spectacle" (Citizen Edition)
http://partiallyexaminedlife.com
1hr 7m Aug 28, 2017
1hr 7m
Guy Debord's "Society of the Spectacle" (Part Two)
More on the 1967 Situtationist book. Do we buy Debord's critique? Is any merely partial critique (i.e., not calling for revolution) just more spectacle? Is technology inherently dehumanizing? Haven't some of these passivity/anti-technology arguments even been launched back in history against things like books? Could Debord's model of authenticity be mass produced, i.e., is this something that ...
1hr 13m Aug 21, 2017
1hr 13m
NEM#52: Kim Rancourt's Authentic NYC Rock n' Roll
Kim is a poet, archivist, and New York City tour guide. We discuss his album plum plumfeaturing “The Dream Band”: his producer friend Don Fleming, Joe Bouchard (Blue Öyster Cult), Steve Shelley (Sonic Youth) and NEM guest Gary Lucas. We discuss “Circle’s Gotta Go” and “Arizona Burning,” and conclude with “Claudine.” We also discuss “I Comb My Hair with My Hand” by Jad Fair and the Shapir-O’Rama...
50m Aug 21, 2017
50m
Guy Debord's "Society of the Spectacle" (Part One)
On the 1967 neo-Marxist, Situtationist book. What is culture? In modern capitalism, Debord thinks that it's all about the economy. It's not just our jobs that keep us trapped, but our life outside of working hours is also demanded by "the system" via our activity as consumers, and this commoditization infiltrates every corner of our lives. Debord wants us to WAKE UP, break our chains, and liv...
55m Aug 14, 2017
55m
TEASER: Analyzing Hitchcock's "Vertigo" (Part Two)
Some audio tidbits to hint at the analytic glories in the second half of our discussion, getting deeper into the psychoanalytic/existential interpretations of the film. Get the discussion at patreon.com/partiallyexaminedlife or with a PEL Citizenship.
2m Aug 12, 2017
2m
PEL Special: Combat & Classics on Rousseau's "Discourse on the Arts and Sciences"
A new podcast for the Partially Examined Life Podcast Network! Meet Jeff, Lise, and Brian, who are joined by PEL's Wes and Dylan to discuss Rousseau's claim in the First Discourse on the Arts and Sciences (1750) that the arts and sciences lead to "moral corruption." What is "moral corruption," and what does it mean for a human being to be "whole"? How can a society be structured to allow indiv...
53m Aug 07, 2017
53m
NEM Ep 51: Andy Powell (Wishbone Ash): The Privilege of a Legacy
Britain's Wishbone Ash started in 1969 and has released 25+ albums, with guitarist/singer Andy the sole member left from the original band. We discuss "American Century" from Blue Horizon (2014), "Master of Disguise" from Bare Bones (1999), and "Roads of Day to Day" (1970, released on First Light (2007). End song: “In Crisis” from The Power of Eternity (2007). Intro music: "Blowin' Free" from A...
1hr 34m Aug 04, 2017
1hr 34m
Analyzing Hitchcock's "Vertigo" (Part One)
On the film Vertigo by Alfred Hitchcock (1958) and articles analyzing it including Laura Mulvey's "Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema" (1975) and Robin Wood's "Vertigo" (1965). Hey folks: Part one, here, as always is just the first half of the conversation, but unlike for every previous part one, there will be no part two on the public feed. In a brazenly commercial move designed to reward o...
48m Jul 31, 2017
48m
NEM Ep 50: Anton Barbeau's Neo-Psychedelic Musings
Californian-turned-British singer-songwriter Anton has released over 25 albums since 1993, generally moving from alterna-guitar-pop to colorful-pychedelic, but remaining tuneful. We discuss “High Noon” and (and listen to “Swindon”) from Magic Act (2016), “Dust Beneath My Wings” by Three Minute Tease (2011) and its subsequent incarnations, and the title track from In the Village of the Apple Sun...
1hr 4m Jul 29, 2017
1hr 4m
Darwin's "Origin of Species" (Part Two)
More on Darwin's famous book. Why does it matter for philosophy, beyond providing an alternative to intelligent design? Is it really anti-religious? How can well tell if it's really a scientific theory? Talking about a species evolving trait X to enable survival sounds teleological; is it really, and is that bad? Why would the mind develop through natural selection? Continues from part 1, or ju...
1hr 7m Jul 24, 2017
1hr 7m
NEM Ep 49: Scott McCaughey Minus 5 Plus Young Fresh Fellows Equals Magic
Scott established himself fronting Seattle’s Young Fresh Fellows staring in 1981 and then around 1994 joined R.E.M. as a recording/touring member and started The Minus 5 with R.E.M.’s Peter Buck. We discuss The Minus 5’s “In the Ground” from Dungeon Golds (2015), “All the Time” from their Old Liquidator (1995), and “Weymer Never Dies” from their Of Monkees and Men(2016). We conclude by listenin...
1hr 18m Jul 20, 2017
1hr 18m
Darwin's "Origin of Species" (Part One)
On Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life (1859 with the final edition published in 1872), ch. 1–4, 6, and 14. What are the philosophical ramifications of Darwin's theory of evolution? Our last reading ended with David Hume saying that given the order of nature, the idea of a designer was natural a...
49m Jul 17, 2017
49m
Hume on Intelligent Design (Part Two)
Continuing on David Hume’s Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion (1779), with guest Stephen West. We get further into what’s wrong with the design argument and why Hume thinks that it’s merely a verbal dispute whether we want to say that God designed the orderly universe or just say that the universe is orderly. Also, the problem of evil! Listen to part 1 first, or get the ad-free, unbroken Cit...
1hr 6m Jul 10, 2017
1hr 6m
NEM Ep 48: Thalia Zedek's Slow Burn Memory Games
Most famous for her 90s New York grunge band Come, Thalia has since 2001 put out six albums and some EPs, with a stripped-down yet not acoustic sound that makes good use of her low, smoky voice and tasteful electric guitar, often accompanied by viola and/or piano with prominent drums. We discuss “Northwest Branch” by The Thalia Zedek Band from Eve (2016); opening music is “Afloat,” also from th...
1hr 12m Jul 09, 2017
1hr 12m
Hume on Intelligent Design (Philosophize This! Crossover) (Part One)
On David Hume’s Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion (1779). How would a scientifically minded person argue for the existence of God? In Hume’s dialogue, a character named Cleanthes argues from this point of view for God’s existence based on the complexity and order apparent in nature: It looks designed. But how good is that argument, and is it enough to prove an infinite God of the traditiona...
48m Jul 03, 2017
48m
Spinoza on Politics and Religion (Part Two)
Concluding on the Tractatus Theologico-Politicus (1670) and Tractatus Politicus (1677). What's the relationship between ethics, reason, and revelation? What could "faith" possibly mean to a hard-core rationalist like Spinoza? Is it possible to buy into the non-denominational "true religion" without believing any of the dogmas of traditional religion at all? And what kinds of limits on free spee...
1hr 36m Jun 26, 2017
1hr 36m
Spinoza on Politics and Religion (Part One)
On Benedict de Spinoza’s Tractatus Theologico-Politicus (1670), ch. 12-20 and the Tractatus Politicus (1677). What's the relationship between ethics and political power? Given that religious factions tend to create strife, what's the optimal role of the government in mitigating that damage? Is theocracy in any way a good idea? In ep. 165 we outlined Spinoza's project in the book and looked cl...
54m Jun 19, 2017
54m
NEM Ep 47: Jason Falkner: Mid-Fi One-Man Moments
After stints with The Three O'Clock and Jellyfish, Jason co-fronted The Grays and then worked solo, also playing with Beck, Aimee Mann, Paul McCartney, etc. and acting as one-man-backing-band/producer for other artists. Songs: "Sincero Amore" and (ending with) "Horror Show" from Make It Be (2017) with R. Stevie Moore, "The Lie in Me" from All Quiet on the Noise Floor (2009), and "Both Belong," ...
1hr 6m Jun 19, 2017
1hr 6m
NEM Ep 46: Chandler Travis: Strongman of North America
Chandler was a comedian in the ’70s, launched a rock group in the ’80s, and has released dozens of albums, fronting multiple bands at a time. We discuss “The Strongman of North America” by The Chandler Travis Philharmonic from Waving Kissyhead Vol. 2 & 1 (2017), “The Crutch of Music” by the Catbirds from Catbirds Say Yeah (2012), and “Fluffy” by the Philharmonic from Llama Rhymes (2003). We con...
1hr 1m Jun 12, 2017
1hr 1m
Spinoza on Biblical Criticism (Part Two)
Continuing on the Tractatus Theologico-Politicus, ch. 1–11. We go more into natural laws vs. ordinances; does it make sense to say that God makes rules for people? Spinoza claims that laws were given to the ancient Hebrews because they were needed for that society, but what's the nature of this necessity? Also, how does Spinoza deal with alleged miracles given that natural laws are absolute re...
1hr 8m Jun 12, 2017
1hr 8m
Spinoza on Biblical Criticism (Part One)
On Benedict de Spinoza's Tractatus Theologico-Politicus (1670), ch. 1–11. What's the proper relationship between church and state? That seems like a no-brainer to us now, but that's thanks to a long intellectual tradition that fed directly out of Spinoza, and a Spinoza-like take on, say, Islam is badly needed in many parts of the world today. Spinoza, despite what his critics said, was not an...
1hr 7m Jun 05, 2017
1hr 7m
Spinoza on God and Metaphysics
On Baruch Spinoza's Ethics (1677), books 1 and 2. Time warp to 2010 when Mark, Seth, and Wes recorded this lo-fi burst of energy, made available to you now to kick of our June Spinoza-fest, with two full discussions coming out over the next four weeks on Spinoza's Tractatus Theologico-Politicus. Dylan and Mark have recorded a new introduction connecting the two works. Our main focus Spinoza's...
1hr 49m May 29, 2017
1hr 49m
Nakedly Examined Music: Steve Hackett, Nik Kershaw, Ken Stringfellow, Robbie Fulks
PEL Network crossover magic, with spring highlights from Mark's other podcast, featuring one song with interview/explanation each from four of our biggest guests: Robbie Fulks, our "ambassador of country," meaning that he's a highly literate northerner who belies any preconceptions you might have about the genre. We discuss "America Is a Hard Religion" from his current album Upland Stories. He...
1hr 15m May 26, 2017
1hr 15m
Dostoyevsky’s “The Idiot” on Perfection (Part Two)
More on the novel with guest Corey Mohler, considering Dostoyevsky explicitly as an existentialist in terms of his analysis of the crisis of meaning and his consequent views on religion. Listen to part 1 first, or get the unbroken, ad-free Citizen Edition. End song: "Don Quixote" (acoustic, 2010) by Nik Kershaw, as interviewed on the Nakedly Examined Music podcast #37. Don Quixote is Myshkin'...
1hr 24m May 22, 2017
1hr 24m
NEM Ep 45: Steve Hackett: Visualize the Music (with 300+ tracks!)
Steve released six studio albums with Genesis between 1971 and 1977 and twenty-five solo albums that feature his virtuosic guitar and the spirit of ’70s prog rock. He now works with producer/keyboardist Roger King to create dense, cinematic soundscapes. We discuss “In the Skeleton Gallery” (and listen to “Anything but Love”) from The Night Siren (2017), “Love Song to a Vampire” from Wolflight (...
1hr 17m May 22, 2017
1hr 17m
Dostoyevsky’s “The Idiot” on Perfection (Part One)
On Fyodor Dostoyevsky's philosophical novel from 1869. Could a morally perfect person survive in the modern world? Is all this "modernity," which so efficiently computes our desires and provides mechanisms to fulfill them, actually suited to achieve human flourishing? Dostoyevsky (whose name, incidentally, can correctly be spelled with either one "y" or two... the translation from the Russian ...
1hr May 15, 2017
1hr
Guest Stewart Umphrey on Natural Kinds (Part Two)
Continuing our interview about Natural Kinds and Genesis: The Classification of Material Entities. Now we get down to it: Given the argument for continuants in part 1, Stewart talks about how that founds the idea of a natural kind (the nature of a continuant) and considers what might count as one. Should the fact that there are borderline cases, i.e., vagueness in a concept, mean that that conc...
1hr 13m May 08, 2017
1hr 13m
NEM Ep 44: Lys Guillorn: Freedom from Explanation
Lys is a Connecticut singer/guitarist with an eccentric country twang who’s put out two albums, plus EPs and other stuff since 2003. We discuss “M.K.” from the I’m a Boy EP and also get to hear “Nothing to It” and a bit of the title track from that EP. We also address “Silver” from Winged Victory (2013), and “When I Was a Tiger Lily” from Three Songs (2006). Opening music: “Little Wren” from Ly...
1hr 3m May 07, 2017
1hr 3m
Episode 163: Guest Stewart Umphrey on Natural Kinds (Part One)
Dylan goes on location to St. John's University Annapolis to talk with Stewart Umphrey about his book Natural Kinds and Genesis: The Classification of Material Entities (2016), with Mark and Wes lobbing in questions remotely. Are general terms like ""water"" or ""dog"" or even ""chair"" just things that we made up to order the world we experience? Aristotle thought that some universals (not ""...
57m May 01, 2017
57m
NEM Ep 43: Steve Wynn: Coming Up 7's
Starting with the Dream Syndicate in the early ’80s in L.A. and then going solo in 1990, Steve has released over 35 albums of lyrically driven rock. We discuss “Resolution” from Northern Aggression (2010), “Punching Holes in the Sky” from Crossing Dragon Bridge (2008), and “There Will Come a Day” from Here Come the Miracles (2001). We wrap up with “I’m Not Listening,” a 2007 recording released ...
1hr 15m Apr 30, 2017
1hr 15m
PEL Special: Phi Fic on James Baldwin’s Fiction
On the short stories "This Morning, This Evening, So Soon" (1960) and "Sonny’s Blues" (1957). To supplement our episode on Baldwin's essays, we're doing a crossover on to the PEL feed here from the Phi Fic podcast, which you should definitely check out and subscribe to at phificpodcast.com. PEL's Mark Linsenmayer joins Phi Fic regulars Nathan, Cezary, Mary, and Laura (read about them all plus...
1hr 44m Apr 24, 2017
1hr 44m
NEM Ep 42: Karla Kane: Don't Choose Princess
Karla has put out four albums since 2006 with the Corner Laughers, a Bay Area band that has been categorized as “twee” given Karla’s ukulele, sparkly Brit-pop ornamentation, and similarly colorful lyrics. We discuss “Queen of the Meadow” from Matilda Effect (2015), the Nov. 2016 single “Don’t Hush, Darling,” and “Grasshopper Clock” from Poppy Seeds (2012). We also listen to “Fairytale Tourist” ...
53m Apr 23, 2017
53m
James Baldwin on Race in America (Part Two)
Continuing on I Am Not Your Negro, "Notes of a Native Son" (1955), and The Fire Next Time (1963). We (and Law Ware) discuss Baldwin's critique of the American dream, how to oppose the inhumanity of others without becoming inhuman yourself, and Baldwin's take on religion. Plus, was the the documentary actually good as a film? This continues part 1, or get the unbroken, ad-free Citizen Edition....
58m Apr 17, 2017
58m
NEM Ep 41: Glenn Mercer (Feelies): Produce Yourself!
Glenn’s albums with the Feelies since 1980 have a unique sound, due to his insistence that production is part of the composing process. We discuss “Been Replaced” and “Gone Gone Gone,” from The Feelies’ new album Here Before, then “Larmaie” from Glenn’s instrumental solo album Incidental Hum (2015). We conclude by listening to “Should Be Gone” by the Feelies from Here Before (2011). Intro music...
1hr 1m Apr 16, 2017
1hr 1m
James Baldwin on Race in America (Part One)
On the film I Am Not Your Negro and the essays "Notes of a Native Son" (1955) and The Fire Next Time (1963). Baldwin is a go-to figure at this point in discussions of race; his essays, stories, and speeches provide a key touchstone in discussing how racism has warped our culture. So, how do we translate his testimony into philosophical theory? When he talks about the psychological/sociological...
48m Apr 10, 2017
48m
White Privilege (Peggy McIntosh, Charles Mills, et al) (Part Two)
Continuing with guest Law Ware on the philosophical underpinnings of the rhetoric of white privilege, with readings as listed in part 1. Mills picture by Olle Halvars. End song: "Power" by Narada Michael Walden from Thunder 2013, as interviewed for Nakedly Examined Music ep. 16.#philosophy #race #racism #privilege #justice #guiltGo to the blog: https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2017/04/03/ep1...
1hr 21m Apr 03, 2017
1hr 21m
NEM Ep 40: Clive Farrington (When In Rome): One-Hit Wonderful
Clive is the guy who dreamt up the melodies and initial motifs for “The Promise” and other songs for When in Rome in the late ’80s, and after leaving the business for a while, the continued use of that one big song (most notably for the Napoleon Dynamite closing sequence) enabled his return to touring and recording. We discuss two songs from his solo album Independence (2013), “Fall” and “Just ...
1hr Apr 02, 2017
1hr
White Privilege (Peggy McIntosh, Charles Mills, et al) (Part One)
We are rejoined by guest Law Ware to discuss several sources, some less formal than others. Cultural sources included: Peggy McIntosh: "Unpacking the Invisible Backpack" (1989) Tim Wise: "White Like Me" documentary (2016) George Yancy: "Dear White America" (2015 editorial in the NY Times The Stone) John McWhorter: "The Privilege of Checking White Privilege” (2015 editorial in the Daily Beast) ...
56m Mar 27, 2017
56m
Orwell on Totalitarianism and Language (Part Two)
Continuing with 1984. How does the book relate to today's politics, or to the politics of his time? Does Orwell present something that we should actually be afraid our society will turn into? Are people really motivated by power for power's sake as Orwell depicts? Was he predicting history based on current trends, or was it satire, or what? We discuss the relationship between minds: the realm...
1hr 16m Mar 20, 2017
1hr 16m
NEM Ep 39: Ken Stringfellow: Posies, Big Star, etc.
Since 1988, Ken has put out several sparkly/grungy albums with The Posies, more under his own name and in various collaborations, played in the revived version of Big Star and in the touring band for R.E.M., and much more. He’s a busy guy! We discuss “The Sound of Clouds” by the Posies from Solid States (2016), “Shittalkers!” and “Jesus Was an Only Child” from his solo album Danzig in the Moonl...
1hr 27m Mar 19, 2017
1hr 27m
Orwell on Totalitarianism and Language (Part One)
On the novel 1984 (1949) and the essays “Politics and the English Language” (1946) and “Notes on Nationalism” (1945). What's the relation between language and totalitarianism? In 1984, Orwell presents us with a society where the ruling powers have mastered the art of retaining power, and one element of this involves "Newspeak," where the vocabulary is purposely limited to the point where subve...
56m Mar 13, 2017
56m
Confucius on Virtuous Conduct (Part Two)
Continuing on the Analects, now without our guest. We cover every single one of the 500 aphorisms, of course, in great depth, getting at the unambiguous meaning of each and completely reorienting our philosophical viewpoint in consequence. OK, so the interpretive task is a bit more difficult than that, but Mark, Seth, and Wes do our best to figure out Master Kong's words about glibness (his "p...
1hr 21m Mar 06, 2017
1hr 21m
NEM Ep 38: Jonathan Segel's Long-Form Songs
Jonathan played in the ’80s with Camper van Beethoven and has since put out 40+ solo albums, sometimes with songs, sometimes guitar improvisations, or instrumental music for dance or film. We discuss his lengthy art-rock songs with political content: “Sleep for a Hundred Years” and the title track from Superfluity (2017), then look back to “Civil Disobedience” from Edgy not Artsy (2003). End so...
1hr 16m Mar 05, 2017
1hr 16m
Confucius on Virtuous Conduct (Part One)
On the Analects, compiled after Confucius's (aka Master Kong's) death in 479 BCE. How should we act? What's the relation between ethics and politics? Can a bunch of aphorisms written in the distant past for an unapologetically hierarchical culture emphasizing traditional rituals actually give us relevant, welcome advice on these matters? Are we even in a position to determine the meaning of th...
55m Feb 27, 2017
55m
Boethius: The Consolation of Philosophy (Part Two)
Continuing on the Consolation (524 CE). We discuss chiefly books 3 and 4, which present the classical one-dimensional model of the good: We all tend toward the good (or what we think to be good, and if we're wrong about what that is, then we can be judged as failing in our aim toward the good), which is happiness, which (because God created everything and the creator must always be better than...
1hr 12m Feb 20, 2017
1hr 12m
NEM Ep 37: Nik Kershaw: Follow the Melody
Nik had some huge hits in the ’80s (e.g., “Wouldn’t It Be Good”) and has been described by Elton John as “the best songwriter of a generation.” We discuss “These Tears” from his most recent album EI8HT (2012), “Lost” from You’ve Got to Laugh (2006), and the acoustic re-recording of 1984’s “The Riddle” for No Frills (2010). Closing song: “Men United” (2016), written for Prostate Cancer UK’s A Gi...
1hr 14m Feb 19, 2017
1hr 14m
Boethius: The Consolation of Philosophy (Part One)
On the Consolation, written as Boethius awaited execution in 524 CE. Do bad things really happen to good people? Boethius, surprisingly, says no, for Stoic (anything that can be taken away can't be of central importance; you can't lose your virtue in this way), Aristotelian (all things tend toward the good, and the best thing for a person is achieving his or her innate potential, which is to b...
58m Feb 13, 2017
58m