Recent Episodes

Emma Goldman

July 5, 2026

Activist and anarchist philosopher Emma Goldman fought for human liberation in every realm of life. While she opposed the women’s suffrage movement, she was a staunch advocate for women’s rights. So why did she think the right to vote was so unimportant? What did she…

Philosophy and Film

December 17, 2006

Despite the crass commercialism that drives the production of many movies, there’s no doubt that…

Film Thinking: Title card graphic for a philosophy and film blog.

American Pragmatism

December 3, 2006

Pragmatism is perhaps America’s most distinctive contribution to philosophy.  Developed by Pierce, Dewey, and James…

Key figures in American pragmatism: William James, Charles Sanders Peirce, Jane Addams, John Dewey, Sidney Hook, and Cornel West.

The Indispensable Emotions

November 26, 2006

Where would we be without emotions?  Many philosophers throughout history have thought the emotions serve…

Woman viewing 3D emojis on smartphone; indispensable emotions

What is a Child?

November 19, 2006

Back in the middle ages, people thought of children simply as little adults. Modern psychology…

Line of children wearing identical masks, questioning childhood.

Dreaming

November 12, 2006

A scary dream brings all the fears that a scary real situation can, and a…

A golden retriever dog peacefully sleeping on a teal couch, dreaming.

Forgiveness

September 26, 2006

Justice is a virtue and so, many claim, is forgiveness. But they seem inconsistent. Is…

Couple holding hands, showing comfort and forgiveness.

Schopenhauer

September 19, 2006

Arthur Schopenhauer, the great Nineteenth Century philosopher, had a pessimistic vision of the world as…

Portrait of Arthur Schopenhauer, renowned 19th-century philosopher.

The Philosophy of Music

September 19, 2006

Most people enjoy music daily and have strong listening preferences. Music – along with love –…

Acoustic guitar, drums, keyboard, and percussion instruments arranged together. The philosophy of music.

War Crimes

September 12, 2006

In war, people do awful things to other people. But the concept of ‘war crime’…

World War I German soldiers with rifles and equipment.

100th Episode

August 29, 2006

It’s our anniversary!  Join the philosophers for a celebration of the program that questions everything…

Sparkler number 100 celebrating 100th episode

Language in Action

August 22, 2006

How do we communicate ideas with language? Where does the literal meaning of a word…

Chalkboard explaining pragmatics: the study of relationships between linguistic forms and their users.

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