The Panpsycast Philosophy Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 71, Plato's Apology: Socrates on Trial (Part I - The Dialogue) Dec 15, 2019

Show notes

Gentleman of our most prestigious Court of Athens, may I praise your patience and diligence in the presentation of the prosecution. I, Meletus stand before you unequivocally convinced that the criminal is guilty as charged. The hideous, snub-nosed Socrates is charged with corrupting the young men of Athens with his rhetoric and poisonous oratory skill, an undeniable fact. Socrates also stands before you charged with denying the gods their authority and challenging the beliefs of every genuine Athenian.

He insults our great city with his relentless irritating presence, a fly in great need of a spider. He shows no signs of remorse for his conduct or apology for his crimes, a true reflection of his guilt. I beg you loyal judicators of Athens, listen to his words, hear him twist them for his own malevolent purpose. Look into his eyes, see his lack of contrition. He says he knows nothing! I know at least one thing, the evidence presented by the prosecution proves Socrates is guilty, and he should accept the judgement of the Athenian Court.

Contents

Part I. The Dialogue

Part II. Further Analysis and Discussion

Links

Plato, The Complete Works (pdf).

Episode 70, Plato's Euthyphro: Socrates Accused (Part II - Further Analysis and Discussion) Dec 08, 2019

Show notes

Did you hear the news of Socrates? He's finally to answer for his sophistry! At last, the great lampooning, moral gadfly is to stand before the Court of Athens and answer for his crimes. To think, one could have the audacity to trade in talentless talk and lies, to lead our youth astray, and deny our gods, only to play the fool once more, and plead ignorance when his number is called.

Oh, magnificent Socrates, 'the great rhetorician' - his followers are deluded. A more fitting label? 'Socrates, the great casuist clown!' Lacking all reason and logic, he makes a mockery of our institutions. Like the fool who claims others cannot see, because he himself is blind, Socrates has only ever opened his mouth to appease his own lack of wisdom. Justly, he now finds himself in a tricky dilemma; may the gods have mercy on his impious soul.

Contents

Part I. The Dialogue

Part II. Further Analysis and Discussion

Links

Plato, The Complete Works (pdf).

Episode 70, Plato's Euthyphro: Socrates Accused (Part I - The Dialogue) Dec 01, 2019

Show notes

Contents

Part I. The Dialogue

Part II. Further Analysis and Discussion

Links

Plato, The Complete Works (pdf).

Episode 69, 'Galileo's Error' with Philip Goff (Part II - Further Analysis and Discussion) Nov 24, 2019

Show notes

Galileo Galilei is widely considered to be the father of modern science and one of the greatest philosophers to have lived. Galileo played a pivotal role in the developments of the scientific revolution, overturning key tenets of Aristotelian physics and most significantly, advocating mathematics as the language of science. For Galileo, the physics of the past was plagued with unhelpful sensory qualities like colours, tastes, smells and sounds; for science to make progress, he thought, 'the book of the universe' must be written in a purely quantitative language.

For Durham University's Philip Goff, this was Galileo's Error. The hard problem of consciousness was born when Galileo stripped consciousness away from the scientific picture. Somehow, we must find a way back. We must lay the foundations for a new science - a new science of consciousness.

Contents

Part I. Foundations for a New Science of Consciousness

Part II. Further Analysis and Discussion

Links

Philip Goff, Galileo's Error (2019).

Philip Goff, Website.

Philip Goff, Twitter.

Episode 69, 'Galileo's Error' with Philip Goff (Part I - Foundations for a New Science of Consciousness) Nov 17, 2019

Show notes

Contents

Part I. Foundations for a New Science of Consciousness

Part II. Further Analysis and Discussion

Links

Philip Goff, Galileo's Error (2019).

Philip Goff, Website.

Philip Goff, Twitter.

Episode 68, The Abigail Thorn Interview (Part II - Further Analysis and Discussion) Nov 10, 2019

Show notes

Abigail Thorn is an actor and educator, best known as the creator and host of the popular YouTube channel Philosophy Tube. Boasting around half a million subscribers, Abigail's channel is notorious for its well-researched content and colourful presentation. With over six years of videos under her belt, it is fair to say that Abigail is going over and above in her goal of giving away her philosophy degree for free.

In this episode, we'll be getting at the person behind Philosophy Tube, discussing the role and responsibilities of those contributing to public-facing philosophy. When we present philosophy in the public sphere, what are our goals? Should they the same as those in the philosophy seminar room - our desire being rigorous, detailed, delicate contemplation - or does public media demand something else? In short, do we need to change our ways to make philosophy accessible?

[Note: Abigail Thorn came out as a transgender woman in January 2021. This episode was recorded pre-transition.]

Contents

Part I. Behind Philosophy Tube

Part II. Further Analysis and Discussion

Links

Philosophy Tube, YouTube Channel

Philosophy Tube, Twitter

Philosophy Tube, Patreon

Interview: Philosophy Tube, What's it like to be a philosopher?

Episode 68, The Abigail Thorn Interview (Part I - Behind Philosophy Tube) Nov 03, 2019

Show notes

[Note: Abigail Thorn came out as a transgender woman in January 2021. This episode was recorded pre-transition.]

Contents

Part I. Behind Philosophy Tube

Part II. Further Analysis and Discussion

Links

Philosophy Tube, YouTube Channel

Philosophy Tube, Twitter

Philosophy Tube, Patreon

Interview: Philosophy Tube, What's it like to be a philosopher?

Episode 67, Flowers for Algernon (Part V - Further Analysis and Discussion) Oct 27, 2019

Show notes

Report: March 2nd After the successes we have had with Algernon, and with much deliberation, I have officially chosen our first research subject. Charlie Gordon, 32, was recommended to us by Alice Kinian from the Beekman School for Retarded Adults and she has assured us of his desire to increase his intellect. I have scheduled for Charlie to come to the lab over the next few days where Burt Selden will run some preliminary psych tests. We are also going to test his mental flexibility with a few maze puzzles with Algernon. All that remains is the consent of a family member to grant permission for the operation. According to Alice Kinian, his sister Norma might be the most appropriate person to seek out. Providing there are no warning signs during the testing, and consent is provided, we will be on the cusp of something truly ground-breaking. All these years of hard work will be vindicated and the trust of my wife and those who fund me will have been justified. Dare I say it, I might be remembered amongst the pantheon of great scientists. Strauss has insisted that we keep a close eye on his mental state and emotional growth. I am inclined to agree but feel we cannot be held fully accountable for the man's personality. The success or failure of this experiment will rest on his increased intelligence, or lack thereof. One thing is certain, if the experiment works, Charlie Gordon's life will change forever. Professor Harold Nemur

Contents

Part I. Life and Context.

Part II. The Story: The Rise of Charlie Gordon.

Part III. The Story: The Fall of Charlie Gordon.

Part IV. The Meaning.

Part V. Further Analysis and Discussion.

Links

Flowers for Algernon, Daniel Keyes (Amazon).

Algernon, Charlie, and I: A Writer's Journey, Daniel Keyes (Amazon).

Charly (1968), Full Movie (YouTube).

Episode 67, Flowers for Algernon (Part IV - The Meaning) Oct 20, 2019

Show notes