podcast

On The Force of Nonviolence: An Ethico-Political Bind (2020). What is it to be nonviolent in political activity? Most ethics allow for self-defense, but Judith has a problem with defining "self" as well as "violence," and offers a full critique of the individualism that underlies typical Western approaches to both ethics and politics. Mark, Seth, and Wes interview Judith about these issues and the connection to . End song: "Dancing with Death," discussed on  with Marty Willson-Piper. Sponsor: Visit  for a free month of The Great Courses Plus. Get this episode ad-free with a .

Ep. 236: Judith Butler Interview: "The Force of Nonviolence"

How should we think politically about the current global crisis? Do extreme circumstances reveal truths of political philosophy or do they reinforce whatever it is we already believe? Mark, Wes, Seth, and Dylan talk about applying philosophical insights to real-life situations rife with unknowns, John Rawls' veil of ignorance and Adam Smith on our interconnectedness, utilitarianism, libertarianism, and more. A source we used was " by John Authers. For an ad-free version of this episode, .  End song: "Date of Grace" by Rob Picott, as discussed on . Sponsor: Visit  for a free trial of unlimited learning at $10/month w/ a quarterly plan.

Ep. 241: Political Philosophy and the Pandemic

On Jacques Derrida's "The Animal That Therefore I Am" (1999), Michel Foucault's "The Ethics of the Concern of the Self As A Practice of Freedom" (1984), and our guest's  (2020). Philosophy devalues appearances, but our changing dominant metaphysics (there is no "underneath" but rather a complex built out of appearance itself) should have changed this. Our guest provided us with readings that elaborate this change, arguing for our continuity with animal nature (Derrida) and the ethical importance of self-care (Foucault). Don't wait for part two; get the full, ad-free  now. Signing up will enter you in to our 6/22 drawing to win a copy of Shahidha's book.  Sponsor: Visit  for a free trial of The Great Courses Plus Video Learning Service.

Ep. 245: Fashion (Derrida, Foucault) w/ Shahidha Bari (Part One)

We conclude with Foucault's "The Ethics of the Concern of the Self As A Practice of Freedom" (1984) and add Susan Sontag's "On Style" (1965). After our guest's departure, we give some concluding remarks about her book Dressed: A Philosophy of Clothes (2020) and Derrida's "The Animal That Therefore I Am" (1999). Start with  or get the ad-free, unbroken .  and be entered in a drawing to win a copy of Dressed. End song: "Clothe Me in Ashes" by K.C. Clifford, interviewed for . If you enjoy PEL, learn about the Hi-Phi Nation podcast at .

Ep. 245: Fashion (Derrida, Foucault, Sontag) w/ Shahidha Bari (Part Two)

On the Rhetoric (ca. 335 BCE) book 1, ch. 1-6 and book 2, ch. 1-5, 18-24. What role does persuasion play in philosophy? Aristotle (contra Plato) argues it can and should be used for good: in law courts, political debates, public speeches. He describes the arguments forms used in rhetoric ("enthymemes") and analyzes the emotions that an audience might have so that speakers know what points are worth dwelling on and how to best argue them. Don't wait for part two! Get the unbroken, ad-free  now.  Sponsor: Get 15% off game-changing wireless earbuds at .

Ep. 247: Aristotle on Rhetoric and Emotions (Part One)

Continuing on the Rhetoric (ca. 335 BCE) book 1, ch. 1–6 and book 2, ch. 1–5, 18–24. We finish up with enthymemes (rhetorical arguments), maxims, and signs. We then move to emotions, where we chiefly talk about anger: Is it always a matter of status injury, or is frustration equally (or more) foundational? Begin with , or get the unbroken, ad-free  now.  End song: "Reason with the Beast" by Shriekback, whose leader Barry Andrews was interviewed on . Sponsors: Save 25% on clothing styled for you at . Visit  for a free trial of The Great Courses Plus Video Learning Service.

Ep. 247: Aristotle on Rhetoric and Emotions (Part Two)

The Partially Examined Life is a philosophy podcast by some guys who were at one point set on doing philosophy for a living but then thought better of it. Each episode, we pick a text and chat about it with some balance between insight and flippancy. You don't have to know any philosophy, or even to have read the text we're talking about to (mostly) follow and (hopefully) enjoy the discussion.