Philosophize This! Philosophize This!

Episode #216 … The Self-Overcoming of Nihilism - Kyoto School pt. 1 - Nishitani

Episode #216 … The Self-Overcoming of Nihilism - Kyoto School pt. 1 - Nishitani

Today we look at the work of Keiji Nishitani. We examine Nihilism in a deeper way than we've ever covered on the podcast before. We talk about The Great Doubt. Zen Buddhism. Sunyata. The self as similar to structural linguistics. Hope you enjoy it! :)

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Philosophize This! Philosophize This!

Episode #215 … How Mysticism is missing from our modern lives. (Critchley, Heidegger)

Episode #215 … How Mysticism is missing from our modern lives. (Critchley, Heidegger)

Today we talk about the tradition of Mysticism in the western world via the book by Simon Critchley.

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Philosophize This! Philosophize This!

Episode #214 - Framing our Being in a completely different way. (Heidegger)

Episode #214 - Framing our Being in a completely different way. (Heidegger)

Today we talk about Heidegger’s critique of solely framing reality in terms of subjects/objects. We explore the concept of Dasein. How traditional problems in philosophy dissolve if Heidegger is successful— free will vs determinism, moral nihilism at the level of the universe, etc. Hope you love it!

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Philosophize This! Philosophize This!

Episode #213 - Deleuze interprets Nietzsche (Difference, Joy, Affirmation)

Episode #213 - Deleuze Interprets Nietzsche (Difference, Joy, Affirmation)

Today we talk about Deleuze's interpretation of Nietzsche's work. We talk about difference taken to radical new levels. The image of thought from the history of philosophy. Nietzsche framed as the enemy to the dialectic. Active vs Reactive forces. Deleuze's thoughts on art as a vehicle for the creation of the new instead of our typical approach via acquiring more information. Hope you love it! Be well. :)

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Philosophize This! Philosophize This!

Episode #212 - Nietzsche and Critchley on the tragic perspective.

Episode #212 - Nietzsche and Critchley on the tragic perspective.

Today we begin by talking about Nietzsche's concept of life-affirmation. Contrasting it with the renunciative, rational traditions of Western thought. The episode then delves into Greek tragedy through the lens of Simon Critchley's work; making a case for how these ancient plays offer a life-affirming perspective by embracing the ambiguity of human existence.



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Philosophize This! Philosophize This!

Episode #211 - Nietzsche returns with a hammer!

Episode #211 - Nietzsche returns with a hammer!

Today we talk about Nietzsche's views on the decay of western society. We talk about his problems with Socrates. The genealogy of Egalitarianism that has led to our modern societies, and how to contextualize his concept of the Ubermensch within modern culture. Hope you enjoy it! :)



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Philosophize This! Philosophize This!

Episode #210 - The Pedagogy of the Oppressed (Paulo Freire, Education)

Episode #210 - The Pedagogy of the Oppressed (Paulo Freire, Education)

We talk about Paulo Freire's Pedagogy of the Oppressed. His critique of the banking model of education. The importance of critical consciousness. His Existentialist influence. The dialectic between oppression and liberation. The problem-posing model of education. The role of dialogue in learning and the co-creation of knowledge. Marx's influence on Freire. The flexibility of Freire’s pedagogy. And some responses to critics of Freire.



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Philosophize This! Philosophize This!

Episode #209 - Improving our world through applied ethics. (Peter Singer, Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek)

Episode #209 - Improving our world through applied ethics. (Peter Singer, Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek)

Today we talk about Peter Singer’s response to an anticapitalist critique of his work. Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek’s thoughts on different approaches to morality and some pitfalls to avoid. We talk about creative activism and philosophy being more prevalent in school and in public spaces.


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Philosophize This! Philosophize This!

Episode #208 - The moral evolution of a philosopher. (Peter Singer)

Episode #208 - The moral evolution of a philosopher. (Peter Singer)

We talk about Emotivism. R.M. Hare's Prescriptivism. Nozick's Experience Machine. Some thought experiments from Derek Parfit. Henry Sidgwick and Objectivist Hedonistic Utilitarianism.


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Episode #198 - The truth is in the process. Zizek Pt. 3 (Ideology, Dialectics)

Episode #198 - The truth is in the process. Zizek Pt. 3 (Ideology, Dialectics)

Key Takeaways:

  • Ideology's Function and Risks: Ideology simplifies complex realities, aiding decision-making and action, but its uncritical acceptance can perpetuate systemic flaws.

  • Žižek's Critique of Ideological Frameworks: Žižek examines how ideologies, especially within global capitalism, shape societal norms and individual actions, often obscuring deeper systemic issues.

  • Dialectical Understanding of Reality: The dialectical method reveals the continuous and dynamic process of change and contradiction in societal and ideological structures.

  • Necessity of Ideology in Human Experience: Ideology is essential for making sense of the complex world, serving as both a simplifying tool and a psychological coping mechanism.

Recommended Reading:

  • The Sublime Object of Ideology by Slavoj Žižek: In this foundational work, Žižek explores the mechanisms of ideology, offering a complex analysis of how individuals interact with and are influenced by their ideological constructs.

  • Living in the End Times by Slavoj Žižek: Žižek examines the global capitalist system and its crises, arguing that we are living in the end times of capitalism and facing an urgent need for radical change.

See the full transcript here

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Philosophize This! Philosophize This!

Episode #197 - New Atheists and cosmic purpose without God (Zizek, Goff, Nagel)

Episode #197 - New Atheists and cosmic purpose without God (Zizek, Goff, Nagel)

Key Takeaways

  • Ideologies and Their Hidden Contradictions: Ideologies, particularly those that are not explicitly recognized, such as material reductionism, often operate subtly, shaping worldviews. The New Atheist movement is used as an example, showing its commitment to materialist ideology with the belief that material explanations are fully sufficient for understanding the universe.

  • Limitations of Materialist Ideology: Despite its widespread influence, materialist ideology tends to overlook non-material aspects, like consciousness and purpose. This becomes particularly evident in fields such as the study of consciousness, where purely material explanations fall short.

  • Historical Context of Ideological Shifts: The podcast delves into the evolution of scientific thought, tracking the shift from Aristotelian teleological perspectives to contemporary materialism. This transition, spurred by early modern scientists' exclusive focus on material explanations, led to significant progress but also neglected non-material aspects.

  • Challenges to Material Reductionism: The conversation highlights critiques from thinkers like Thomas Nagel and Phillip Goff, who challenge the predominance of materialist ideology in science and philosophy. They advocate for integrating non-material explanations and purposes to foster a more comprehensive understanding of the universe.

Recommended Reading

  • Mind and Cosmos: Why the Materialist Neo-Darwinian Conception of Nature Is Almost Certainly False - Thomas Nagel: Nagel challenges materialistic naturalism, asserting that it fails to adequately explain consciousness and mind. He proposes revising scientific methodologies to include non-materialist principles.

  • Why?: The Purpose of the Universe - Philip Goff: Goff argues for panpsychism, the belief that consciousness is an intrinsic feature of the physical world. This challenges conventional views about the universe and its purpose.

  • The Sublime Object of Ideology - Slavoj Zizek: Zizek investigates the functions of belief and ideology in shaping our perception of the world. He uses examples from philosophy, psychoanalysis, and popular culture to explore these mechanisms.

See the full transcript here

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