Episode #084 - William James on Truth
Episode #084 - William James on Truth
This episode outlines William James’s view that truth is not objective but a human experience, defined by the practical usefulness of beliefs rather than their alignment with external reality.
Further Reading:
Pragmatism: A New Name for Some Old Ways of Thinking by William James (1907)
Philosophical Writings of Peirce by Charles Sanders Peirce, edited by Justus Buchler (1940)
Reconstruction in Philosophy by John Dewey (1920)
See the full transcript here.
Episode #083 - Henry David Thoreau
Episode #083 - Henry David Thoreau
On this episode, we take a look at Henry David Thoreau's views on the individual, society and civil disobedience.
Further Reading:
Walden and Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau (Signet Classics, 1999)
The Portable Thoreau edited by Jeffrey S. Cramer (Penguin Classics, 2004)
The Journal of Henry David Thoreau edited by Damion Searls (New York Review Books, 2009)
See the full transcript here.
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Episode #082 - Austrians and Marx
Episode #082 - Austrians and Marx
On this episode, we take ideas from several different thinkers of the Austrian School of Economics and try to understand the counterpoints to Marx's critiques of capitalism.
Further Reading:
"Economics in One Lesson" by Henry Hazlitt (1946)
"Principles of Economics" by Carl Menger (1871)
"Marx's Labor Theory of Value: A Defense" by Hayashi Hiroyoshi (2005)
See the full transcript here.
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Episode #081 - Capitalism vs. Communism
Episode #081 - Capitalism vs. Communism
The episode explores Karl Marx’s view that capitalism exploits workers, creates inequality, and leads to instability, arguing that examining its flaws remains essential despite criticisms of Marx’s ideas.
Further Reading:
Marx for Beginners by Rius (1976)
An Introduction to the Three Volumes of Karl Marx's Capital by Michael Heinrich (2012)
Marx's 'Das Kapital' For Beginners by Michael Wayne and Sungyoon Choi (2012)
See the full transcript here.
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Episode #080 - Feuerbach on Religion
Episode #080 - Feuerbach on Religion
This episode presents Feuerbach’s view that religion mirrors human ideals, not divine reality, and that love is the highest expression of our self-conscious nature.
Further Reading:
Heaven Wasn't His Destination: The Philosophy of Ludwig Feuerbach by Van A. Harvey (1941)
Feuerbach by Marx W. Wartofsky (1977)
Feuerbach and the Interpretation of Religion by Van A. Harvey (1995)
See the full transcript here.
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Episode #079 - Kierkegaard on Anxiety
Episode #079 - Kierkegaard on Anxiety
The episode explains Kierkegaard’s idea that anxiety comes from the freedom to choose who we are. Most avoid this by escaping into habits or roles, leading to quiet despair. Becoming a true self means facing that anxiety and choosing a life that feels meaningful.
Further Reading:
Kierkegaard For Beginners by Donald D. Palmer (2007)
Freedom and Its Misuses: Kierkegaard on Anxiety and Despair by Gregory R. Beabout (1996)
The Sickness Unto Death by Søren Kierkegaard, translated by Alastair Hannay (1989)
See the full transcript here.
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Episode #078 - Marx and Kierkegaard on Religion Pt. 2
Episode #078 - Marx and Kierkegaard on Religion Pt. 2
The episode contrasts Marx’s focus on collective change with Kierkegaard’s emphasis on personal commitment. Marx saw morality as shaped by society, while Kierkegaard argued that true individuality requires decisive action and a leap of faith into a chosen way of life.
Further Reading:
The Essential Kierkegaard by Søren Kierkegaard, edited by Howard V. Hong and Edna H. Hong (2000)
Fear and Trembling by Søren Kierkegaard (1986)
Marx: A Beginner's Guide by Andrew Collier (2008)
See the full transcript here.
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Episode #077 - Marx and Kierkegaard on Religion Pt. 1
Episode #077 - Marx and Kierkegaard on Religion Pt. 1
This episode traces how Karl Marx saw history as a cycle of class struggle, with religion used to pacify the exploited by justifying economic inequality. It shows how religious structures mirrored the ruling systems of their time and introduces a contrast with Kierkegaard’s opposing view, to be explored next episode.
Further Reading:
Marx for Beginners by Rius (1976)
Marx: A Very Short Introduction by Peter Singer (2000)
Understanding Marxism by Richard D. Wolff (2019)
See the full transcript here.
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Episode #076 - Hegel's God
Episode #076 - Hegel's God
The episode asks listeners to forget what they think they know about God and consider Hegel’s view: God as the infinite process of self-determination, not a being. It critiques rigid divides between religion and science, and encourages openness to faith as a shared human leap, not blind belief.
Further Reading:
Hegel: A Very Short Introduction by Peter Singer (2001)
An Introduction to Hegel: Freedom, Truth and History by Stephen Houlgate (2005)
An Introduction to Hegel: The Stages of Modern Philosophy by Howard P. Kainz (1996)
See the full transcript here.
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Episode #075 - How To Win An Argument Pt. 2
Episode #075 - How To Win An Argument Pt. 2
This episode explores why logical fallacies matter, even in a world where emotional arguments often win. It argues that recognizing fallacies strengthens both persuasion and critical thinking, and breaks down common ones like red herrings, appeals to authority, circular reasoning, false dilemmas, and hasty generalizations.
Further Reading:
Mastering Logical Fallacies: The Definitive Guide to Flawless Rhetoric and Bulletproof Logic by Michael Withey and Henry Zhang (2021)
Being Right: A Beginner's Guide to Logical Fallacies and Deductive Reasoning by Stephen Pape (2019)
Informal Logical Fallacies: A Brief Guide by Jacob Van Vleet (2010)
See the full transcript here.
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Episode #074 - Hegel Returns!
Episode #074 - Hegel Returns!
The episode returns to Hegel, exploring his idea that true freedom comes from understanding how our beliefs and values are shaped by culture, time, and constant change. Through the dialectic—thesis, antithesis, synthesis—Hegel shows that self-awareness, not impulse, is the path to real freedom.
Further Reading:
An Introduction to Hegel: Freedom, Truth and History
Stephen Houlgate (2005)
Hegel: The Philosopher of Freedom
Klaus Vieweg (2023)An Introduction to Hegel: The Stages of Modern Philosophy
Howard P. Kainz (1996)
See the full transcript here.
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I could never do this without your support! :)
Episode #073 - How To Win An Argument Pt. 1
Episode #073 - How To Win An Argument Pt. 1
On today's episode, we take a look at several common logical fallacies. We analyze what they mean and how they are used in the context of an argument, and then we provide tons of examples that illustrate how to spot the fallacies. The goal here is to give you more confidence in your ability to practically use the raw information that we talk about on the show every week, and to have an episode you can return back to and refresh your memory if you ever forget them.
Further Reading:
An Illustrated Book of Bad Arguments by Ali Almossawi (2013)
Mastering Logical Fallacies: The Definitive Guide to Flawless Rhetoric and Bulletproof Logic by Michael Withey (2021)
Being Right: A Beginner's Guide to Logical Fallacies and Deductive Reasoning by Stephen Pape (2019)
See the full transcript here.
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I could never do this without your support! :)
Episode #072 - On Insecurity
Episode #072 - On Insecurity
On today's episode, we take a close look at insecurity from multiple angles. We look at it as a stand-alone method of influencing human behavior and consider how it compares with other methods of influencing human behavior. Ultimately the goal is to understand a little more about why we think and act the way we do. If you want some additional reading, check out the links below on Kant's moral law; there is a strong connection to what we've been talking about in the last few episodes, including this one.
Further Reading:
The Psychology of Insecurity by Joseph P. Forgas, William D. Crano, and Klaus Fiedler (2023)
Psychology of Human Behavior: A Beginner's Guide to Learn How to Influence People, Reading Body Language and Improve Your Social Skills and Relationship. Includes NLP Techniques, Hypnosis and CBT by David Cooper (2021)
An Introduction to Kant's Moral Philosophy by Jennifer K. Uleman (2010)
See the full transcript here.
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Episode #071 - Is Killing Animals for Food Morally Justifiable?
Episode #071 - Is Killing Animals for Food Morally Justifiable?
This episode explores how everyday choices reflect moral reasoning. Using the ethics of eating meat, it shows how common justifications—like taste or biology—often collapse under scrutiny, urging us to rethink the assumptions behind our judgments.
Further Reading:
The Elements of Moral Philosophy by James Rachels and Stuart Rachels (2019)
An Introduction to Moral Philosophy by Jonathan Wolff (2018)
Moral Decision Making: How to Approach Everyday Ethics by Clancy Martin (2013)
See the full transcript here.
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Episode #070 - Off Moodiness
Episode #070 - Off Moodiness
The episode explores practical systems like Stoicism, mindfulness, and positive thinking as tools for emotional self-regulation, emphasizing that real change comes from habit, not information. It argues that the best method isn’t the most profound, but the one you’ll stick with long enough to make it routine.
Further Transcript:
The Little Book of Stoicism: Timeless Wisdom to Gain Resilience, Confidence, and Calmness by Jonas Salzgeber (2019)
The Beginner's Guide to Stoicism: Tools for Emotional Resilience and Positivity by Matthew Van Natta (2019)
Stoicism 101: A Beginner's Guide to Peace and Resilience by William T. Harrison (2024)
See the full transcript here.
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Episode #069 - An Appeal To Reason
Episode #069 - An Appeal To Reason
The episode explores how belief is often shaped by comfort, not truth, and urges listeners to stop outsourcing their thinking. Drawing on Kant, it argues that real maturity means daring to think for yourself, even when it’s hard.
Further Reading:
The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark by Carl Sagan (1995)
Kant: A Very Short Introduction by Roger Scruton (1981)
Thinking from A to Z by Nigel Warburton (2000)
See the full transcript here.
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I could never do this without your support! :)
Episode #068 - On Moodiness
Episode #068 - On Moodiness
The episode explores moodiness as a universal trait tied to emotional self-regulation. It questions whether people have a moral responsibility to manage their moods, especially when those moods affect others, setting the stage for upcoming discussions on Kant, Hegel, and Schleiermacher.
Further Reading:
Kant's Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals: An Introduction by Sally Sedgwick (2008)
Hegel: A Very Short Introduction by Peter Singer (2001)
Schleiermacher: Lectures on Philosophical Ethics by Friedrich Schleiermacher, translated by Robert B. Louden and Louise Adey Huish (2002)
See the full transcript here.
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I could never do this without your support! :)
Episode #067 - What Hegel Was Saying!
Episode #067 - What Hegel Was Saying!
The episode explains how Hegel challenges Kant’s view that we can’t access reality, arguing that perception itself is reality. He rejects the idea that knowledge comes from fixed truths or raw senses, instead seeing it as shaped by changing relationships and consciousness. This lays the foundation for his broader ideas about history and freedom.
Further Reading:
An Introduction to Hegel: Freedom, Truth and History by Stephen Houlgate (2005)
Hegel: A Very Short Introduction by Peter Singer (2001)
Practical Philosophy from Kant to Hegel: Freedom, Right, and Revolution edited by James A. Clarke and Gabriel Gottlieb (2021)
See the full transcript here.
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Episode #066 - Hegel Pt. 1 - Introduction
Episode #066 - Hegel Pt. 1 - Introduction
The episode explores two views of freedom: one focused on acting on choices, the other on understanding their roots. It also introduces Hegel’s idea that everything—even consciousness—evolves through a process called the dialectic.
Further Reading:
The Accessible Hegel by Michael Allen Fox (2005)
An Introduction to Hegel: Freedom, Truth and History by Stephen Houlgate (2005, 2nd ed.)
Hegel, Marx, and the Necessity and Freedom Dialectic by Russell Rockwell (2018)
See the full transcript here.
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Episode #065 - Mary Wollstonecraft
Episode #065 - Mary Wollstonecraft
This episode traces Mary Wollstonecraft’s fight against the social conditioning of women, highlighting how she challenged Enlightenment hypocrisy and argued for true equality through education.
Further Reading:
Mary Wollstonecraft: A Revolutionary Life by Janet Todd (2000)
Vindication: A Life of Mary Wollstonecraft by Lyndall Gordon (2005)
A Vindication of the Rights of Woman by Mary Wollstonecraft (1792)
See the full transcript here.
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