For Hume the Bell Tolls!

In this episode we talk about David Hume’s thoughts on miracles and beliefs as they apply to that ugliest of pop culture phenomenon: the conspiracy theory. Along the way we visit a couple of underground pizza parlors, talk with some lizard people, and dare Bill Gates to just try tracking our whereabouts.

Music in this episode: “Attack of the Mole Men” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Fat Cartoon Jazz https://www.purple-planet.com
Spy Story https://www.purple-planet.com

A Selfie is Worth about 25 Words

In this episode we talk about challenges to living an authentic life in light of some recent trends on social media. We address the timeless question: can someone truly be in bad faith if they are like really photogenic?

Music in this episode: “Attack of the Mole Men” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Fat Cartoon Jazz https://www.purple-planet.com
Up Your Street https://www.purple-planet.com

Canceled Like Socrates

In this (our 50th!) episode we talk about cancel culture as a pop culture phenomenon. We look a bit at the history of cancel culture and discuss the ethics of it. In the end we unwisely refrain from canceling ourselves.

Music in this episode: “Attack of the Mole Men” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Fat Cartoon Jazz https://www.purple-planet.com

Slow Dissolve https://www.purple-planet.com

(Wanda)Visions of Theseus

In this episode we talk about the myriad of philosophical issues raised in the MCU limited television series WandaVision. Along the way we discuss a number of really fun topics such as regret, life’s really devastating choices, death, existential dread, and the ship of Theseus.

Music in this episode:
“Attack of the Mole Men” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Fat Cartoon Jazz https://www.purple-planet.com
Gothic Horror https://www.purple-planet.com

Birds, Moon Landings, and Other Things that Are Not Real

In this episode we talk about the philosophical aspects of conspiracy theories, especially as they are found in pop culture. Along the way we fake a moon landing, rig an election or two, and try, but fail, to make birds real again.

Music in this episode:
“Attack of the Mole Men” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Fat Cartoon Jazz https://www.purple-planet.com
Maelstrom https://www.purple-planet.com

Who Ya Gonna Call?

In this episode we talk to philosopher Jamie Watson about his new book, Expertise. Along the way we talk about the portrayal of experts in pop culture, and re-establish that philosophers are the ultimate authorities on everything (see: Plato, philosopher kings).

Music in this episode: “Attack of the Mole Men” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Fat Cartoon Jazz https://www.purple-planet.com
Project Plan https://www.purple-planet.com

The Doctor (of Philosophy) is In!

In this episode we talk to philosopher Ian Olasov about his Ask a Philosopher project and book. We discuss all things public philosophy, and Ian shares some terrific stories.

Music in this episode: “Attack of the Mole Men” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Fat Cartoon Jazz https://www.purple-planet.com
Feelin’ Good https://www.purple-planet.com

A Vote for Philosophy is a Vote for The Good Life

In this episode we interview philosopher and political candidate Randy Auxier. We discuss elections as pop culture as well as elections in pop culture. As a bonus we save democracy, while establishing the rule of philosopher kings, by voting early and voting often.

Music in this episode: “Attack of the Mole Men” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Fat Cartoon Jazz https://www.purple-planet.com
Big Day Out https://www.purple-planet.com

It’s Good to Be the (Philosophical) King

In this episode we resume our tradition of devoting at least one episode each October to philosophical themes in horror. This year’s Halloween episode discusses philosophical themes in the works of Stephen King. Tune in to see if we take a Shining Stand on anything of just leave IT at that.

Music in the Episode:
“Attack of the Mole Men” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Fat Cartoon Jazz https://www.purple-planet.com
Creepy Hollow https://www.purple-planet.com

Invasion of the Body Swappers

In this episode we talk with philosopher Nathan Nobis about personal identity thought experiments. Along the way we split a few brains, swap a few minds, and transport a few bodies to Mars. You can find some of the resources we discuss in this week’s episode here:
https://www.nathannobis.com/2020/09/personal-identity.html
and here:
https://1000wordphilosophy.com/

Music in this episode:
“Attack of the Mole Men” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Fat Cartoon Jazz https://www.purple-planet.com
Decline and Fall https://www.purple-planet.com