This brief introductory episode gives the listener advice about how to use the podcast. The episode opens with a clip of the philosopher Cornel West concisely stating a few of the main goals of the next fourteen episodes of the podcast. Thanks to Galen Curry (of folk-rock band <a href="https://thecurrysmusic.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Currys</a>) for the theme music!

How To Use This Podcast

In this episode, I discuss what you're supposed to be learning in Problems of Philosophy. Then, Dr. Justin Bernstein of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (but of Florida Atlantic University at the time of recording) tells us about the philosopher Alex Guerrero's idea that using a lottery to select our political representatives would be more effective--and indeed more democratic--than voting.

Philosopher Citizens

In this episode, I draw on remarks by the philosophers Iris Murdoch and Susan Stebbing to discuss the art of philosophical conversation, with an emphasis on how it revolves around argumentation. Then, a couple of non-philosophers model an attainably successful submission for the philosophical conversation assignment you'll complete this semester.

Argumentation and Philosophical Conversation

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Lindsey Fiorelli of Minerva University to discuss two analyses of bullshit: Harry Frankfurt's view that bullshitting involves indifference to truth, and G.A. Cohen's view that bullshit is unclarifiably unclear.

Two Analyses of Bullshit

In this episode, I ask one of the most confounding questions in the study of ancient philosophy: was Socrates a bullshitter? There won't be another episode of this podcast for a couple weeks. In the meantime, go check out Peter Adamson's episodes on <a href="https://historyofphilosophy.net/plato-socrates" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Socrates</a>, <a href="https://historyofphilosophy.net/plato-meno" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">the Meno</a>, and <a href="https://historyofphilosophy.net/plato-phaedo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">the Phaedo</a>, over at his superb podcast on<a href="https://historyofphilosophy.net/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> the History of Philosophy without any Gaps</a>.

Socrates: Bullshit Detector or Bullshit Artist?

In this episode, I invite you, the listener, to meditate with me on reasons to doubt everything you thought you knew.

Doubt

In this episode, I discuss the Aristotelian worldview that Descartes attempted to overthrow, and introduce the listener to the Cogito: Descartes's famous, purportedly indubitable claim that "I think, therefore I am".

None of your Beeswax

In this episode, I discuss Descartes's truth rule--that everything he clearly and distinctly perceives is true--and how he leverages that rule (along with the existence of a non-deceiving God) to establish a metaphysical distinction between mind and body. I then discuss the Princess Elisabeth of Bohemia's incisive critique of Descartes's substance dualism, as well as the more nuanced dualism that Elisabeth prefers.

Cartesian Interaction

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Nabeel Hamid on Concordia University and Dr. Ben Baker of Colby College (but of the University of Pennsylvania at the time of recording) to discuss the design argument for God's existence, the relationship between faith and reason, and other themes from David Hume's Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion.

Adorable Mysteriousness

Companion Podcast for Problems of Philosophy

Companion Podcast for PHIL 100: Problems of Philosophy at West Virginia University.

Dialogues, Meditations, and Analyses

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