The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast

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Ep. 294: Quine on Science vs. Epistemology (Part Two) May 30, 2022

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Continuing on "Epistemology Naturalized" (1969), we work further through the text, getting into what this new psychology-rooted epistemology might look like and how Quine changed empiricism. Plus, more of us trying to figure out his claims about the indeterminacy of translation.

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Ep. 294: Quine on Science vs. Epistemology (Part One) May 23, 2022

Show notes

On W.V.O. Quine's "Epistemology Naturalized" (1969). What justifies scientific theory?

Not theory-free observations, as Quine shows us by considering how we figure out foreign languages. Instead of basing science on epistemology, Quine thought we need to make epistemology part of science.

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Philosophy vs. Improv #32: "On the Standard of [Bad] Taste" w/ Babette Babich May 22, 2022

Show notes

Babette teaches at Fordham and recently edited the collection "Reading David Hume's 'On The Standard of Taste,'" which Mark made use of for PEL#289. So, more philosophically beefy than our typical PvI episode, and yet also live and hence unpredictable. Taste it!

Mark philosophizes at partiallyexaminedlife.com.

Bill improvises (and teaches) at chicagoimprovstudio.com.

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PREMIUM-Ep. 293: Donna Haraway on Feminist Science (Part Two) May 16, 2022

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Continuing on "Situated Knowledges" and other essays with guest Lynda Olman. We try to get at the practical import of Olman's scheme and get further into her use of metaphors and what those mean for her critical stance.

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Ep. 293: Donna Haraway on Feminist Science (Part One) May 09, 2022

Show notes

On "Situated Knowledge" (1988), "A Cyborg Manifesto" (1985), etc. featuring guest Lynda Olman.

What is scientific objectivity? Haraway rejects both relativism and traditional, "god's eye" objectivism in favor of a "cyborg" view that looks for alternate ways of seeing and acknowledges the ways that science and technology are tied to politics.

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PREMIUM-Ep. 292: Langer on Symbolic Music (Part Two) May 02, 2022

Show notes

Concluding on Susanne Langer's Philosophy in a New Key (ch. 8-10). We continue discussing whether and how music is symbolic. Sing along with us!

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Ep. 292: Langer on Symbolic Music (Part One) Apr 25, 2022

Show notes

On Susanne Langer's Philosophy in a New Key (1942), ch. 8-10. Is music (the supposedly non-representational artform) a language? If it's "expressive," what exactly does it express?

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PREMIUM-Ep. 291: Cassirer and Langer on Myth and Ritual (Part Two) Apr 18, 2022

Show notes

Continuing our discussion on the symbolic value of religion and its antecedents, primary at this point discussing Susanne Langer's Philosophy in a New Key, ch. 7.

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Ep. 291: Cassirer and Langer on Myth and Ritual (Part One) Apr 11, 2022

Show notes

On Ernst Cassirer's An Essay on Man (1944), ch. 6-7, and Susanne Langer's Philosophy in a New Key (1942), ch. 6-7. Why do people produce ritual, mythology, and religion? According to our authors, these are spontaneous, symbolic modes of self-expression. They're not opposed to rational, scientific thought, but are necessary preconditions for it.

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PEL Presents NEM#170: Bob Mould From Hüsker Dü to Sugar to Now Apr 11, 2022

Show notes

Bob has released 20+ albums since the early '80s. We discuss "Forecast of Rain" from Blue Hearts (2020), "I Don't Know You Anymore" from Beauty & Ruin (2014), "JC Auto" by Sugar from Beaster (1993), and "In A Free Land" by Hüsker Dü, 1982 singe remixed for Savage Young Du (2017). End song: the title track to his new acoustic EP, The Ocean. Intro: "If I Can't Change Your Mind" by Sugar from Copper Blue (1992). For more see bobmould.com.

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