Episode #146 - Bergson on Laughter Pt. 2 - Vitalism
Henri Bergson on laughter
This is part two of the show’s deep dive into Henri Bergson’s Laughter. The episode connects Bergson’s hybrid theory of comedy to his broader philosophical worldview shaped by process philosophy and vitalism. Drawing from Heraclitus, Bergson sees life as a constant, flowing process that resists static, mechanistic explanations. He argues that laughter arises when something rigid or mechanical disrupts the natural fluidity of life—a phenomenon he famously describes as “the mechanical encrusted upon the living.” For Bergson, laughter isn’t just about amusement; it serves a social function. It acts as a subtle corrective, encouraging people to remain adaptable and in tune with the vitality of society. Through this lens, we laugh not only at the absurd or the powerful but at anything that signals a lack of flexibility—whether it’s a distracted friend or a blind conformist. While Bergson's theory aligns with earlier ideas like superiority and incongruity, it ultimately frames laughter as both an intuitive reaction and a social message, balancing critique and absurdity with an underlying impulse toward collective health.
Further Reading:
Laughter: An Essay on the Meaning of the Comic by Henri Bergson (1900)
Living in Time: The Philosophy of Henri Bergson by Barry Allen (2023)
Bergson's Philosophy of Biology: Virtuality, Tendency and Time by Tano S. Posteraro (2022)
See the full transcript here.
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Episode #145 - Henri Bergson Pt. 1 - History
Henri Bergson
In this episode, the show explores Henri Bergson’s essay Laughter, focusing on the philosophical roots of why humans laugh and what laughter reveals about society. It begins by questioning whether laughter truly reflects happiness and moves into a discussion of historical theories—like superiority, relief, and incongruity—each offering different explanations for humor. Bergson challenges these traditional views by suggesting that laughter arises when something mechanical disrupts the natural fluidity of human behavior, arguing that the comic is deeply tied to social life and human experience. He blends elements from past theories into a broader, more dynamic perspective, suggesting that laughter isn’t just emotional release or superiority—it’s also a subtle tool we use to regulate cultural norms and challenge rigidity in ourselves and others. The episode sets up a deeper dive into Bergson’s ideas in part two, teasing future connections to time, process philosophy, and the nature of change.
Further Reading:
Laughter: An Essay on the Meaning of the Comic – Henri Bergson (1900)
The Philosophy of Laughter and Humor – John Morreall (1987)
Comic Relief: A Comprehensive Philosophy of Humor – John Morreall (2009)
See the full transcript here.
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Episode #144 - Max Weber - Iron Cage
Max Weber
On this episode, we begin our discussion on the work of Max Weber.
See the full transcript here.
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Episode #143 - Jürgen Habermas - The Public Sphere
Episode 143 - Jürgen Habermas - The Public Sphere
This episode dives into the philosophy of Jürgen Habermas and his mission to rethink the Enlightenment in a way that still makes sense today. A lot of past thinkers criticized the Enlightenment for putting too much faith in reason, which they believed led to big problems like war and oppression. But Habermas didn’t want to throw the whole thing out. Instead, he believed the real issue wasn’t reason itself—it was how we’ve been using it. He introduced the idea of “communicative rationality,” where reason isn’t about cold logic or manipulating people, but about real, honest conversations where people listen, share, and try to understand one another. To him, this kind of communication is the heart of democracy and the way we should make decisions as a society. He also talks about how we've lost a lot of these meaningful conversations over time—replaced by media and systems more focused on control than connection. Habermas believes that the power to change things still lives in us, if we’re willing to engage with each other sincerely and rebuild those public spaces where everyone’s voice can matter.
Further Reading:
The Theory of Communicative Action, Volume 1: Reason and the Rationalization of Society by Jürgen Habermas (1984)
The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere: An Inquiry into a Category of Bourgeois Society by Jürgen Habermas (1989)
Philosophical Interventions in the Unfinished Project of Enlightenment edited by Axel Honneth, Thomas McCarthy, Claus Offe, and Albrecht Wellmer (1992)
See the full transcript here.
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I could never do this without your support! :)
Episode #142 - Richard Rorty
Richard Rorty
In this episode, the show explores the political philosophy of Richard Rorty, focusing on his rejection of universal, ahistorical foundations for ideas like human rights and liberal democracy. Rather than grounding these values in divine will or rational truths, Rorty sees them as contingent products of specific historical and cultural contexts. He argues that reason is not a tool for uncovering objective reality, but a human practice shaped by language and culture—a means of fostering solidarity rather than accessing eternal truths. Embracing the legacy of the Enlightenment as a call to question authority rather than to establish it, Rorty champions a pragmatic, pluralistic approach to politics. He encourages living as an “ironist”—someone who is critically aware of the limits of their own worldview and remains open to new vocabularies and perspectives. Ultimately, the episode highlights Rorty’s belief that legitimacy in political life comes not from philosophical absolutes, but from the shared values and decisions of people living together in particular times and places.
Further Reading:
Contingency, Irony, and Solidarity by Richard Rorty (1989)
Philosophy and the Mirror of Nature by Richard Rorty (1979)
Richard Rorty: Politics and Vision by Christopher J. Voparil (2006)
See the full transcript here
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Episode #141 - Isaiah Berlin pt. 2 - Pluralism and Culture
Isaiah Berlin pt. 2 - Pluralism and Culture
This episode continues the discussion of Isaiah Berlin’s political philosophy, focusing on his rejection of monism—the idea that all moral and political questions have one correct answer. Berlin argues that human values often conflict in ways that can’t be solved by a single system or rule, using examples like mercy versus justice or freedom versus equality to show how these tensions play out in real life. He calls this view pluralism, the belief that different, even opposing values can be equally valid and rational. Pluralism, for Berlin, is not the same as relativism; while cultures may differ, people still share basic human goals like safety, freedom, and meaning. He believes that rationality can’t solve every disagreement, but it can help us understand each other and promote tolerance. In place of rigid systems, Berlin proposes liberal pluralism—an approach that accepts moral complexity and encourages empathy across political and cultural divides.
Further Reading:
The Crooked Timber of Humanity by Isaiah Berlin (1990)
Isaiah Berlin: Liberty and Pluralism by George Crowder (2004)
Isaiah Berlin: An Interpretation of His Thought by John Gray (1996)
See the full transcript here
Thank you to everyone who makes this podcast a possibility in the future.
I could never do this without your support! :)
Episode #140 - Isaiah Berlin pt. 1 - Pluralism
Isaiah Berlin Part 1 - Pluralism
This episode explores the political philosophy of Isaiah Berlin, highlighting his attempt to bridge the gap between Enlightenment universalism and modern relativism. Berlin critiques the Enlightenment’s belief in a single, rational moral truth—what he calls “monism”—and instead defends value pluralism, the idea that multiple, conflicting, yet reasonable values can coexist.
At the heart of the episode is Berlin’s famous distinction between negative and positive liberty: freedom from outside interference versus freedom to realize one’s true self. While negative liberty protects individuals from coercion, Berlin warns that positive liberty—especially as used by thinkers like Rousseau—can justify authoritarian control under the claim of enforcing “true freedom.”
The episode also touches on Berlin’s admiration for Counter-Enlightenment thinkers, who rejected universal ideals in favor of culture, community, and historical context. Ultimately, Berlin’s pluralist approach offers a way to navigate political life without forcing all people into a single moral framework.
Further Reading:
Liberty: Incorporating Four Essays on Liberty – Isaiah Berlin (2002)
Isaiah Berlin: Liberty and Pluralism – George Crowder (2004)
Isaiah Berlin and the Politics of Freedom: 'Two Concepts of Liberty' 50 Years Later – Bruce Baum & Robert Nichols, eds. (2013)
See the full transcript here.
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I could never do this without your support! :)
Episode #139 - Friedrich Von Hayek - The Road to Serfdom
Friedrich Von Hayek
On this episode, we begin our discussion on the work of Henri Bergson.
See the full transcript here.
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I could never do this without your support! :)
Episode #138 - Robert Nozick - The Minimal State
Robert Nozick - The Minimal State
This episode explores Robert Nozick’s Anarchy, State, and Utopia, a foundational libertarian response to the political challenges of the 20th century. Positioned between anarchism and the expansive welfare liberalism of thinkers like John Rawls, Nozick argues for a “minimal state” limited to protecting individual rights and enforcing contracts—nothing more. The episode contrasts Nozick’s views with Rawls’s emphasis on fairness and redistributive justice, highlighting Nozick’s belief that justice is not about what people deserve, but about what they are entitled to through lawful acquisition. Through accessible examples and thought experiments, the episode explains Nozick’s critique of forced taxation, patterned distributions, and centralized government planning. Instead, Nozick champions a framework where individuals retain self-ownership, rights are treated as inviolable moral constraints, and society functions as a space for voluntary, diverse experiments in living.
Further Reading:
Anarchy, State, and Utopia by Robert Nozick (1974)
A Theory of Justice by John Rawls (1971)
Libertarianism: A Primer by David Boaz (1997)
See the full transcript here
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I could never do this without your support! :)