Recent Episodes

The 2026 Dionysus Awards

July 26, 2026

Now that the dust has settled from the Oscars, it’s time to think about what movies of the past year challenged our assumptions and made us think about things in new ways. Josh and guest co-host Jorah Danenberg present our annual Dionysus Awards for the…

Language of Fiction

February 25, 2007

What are we talking about when we talk about Sherlock Holmes or Santa Claus? Something…

Stack of books on a table in front of bookshelves. Language of fiction.

Reconciliation

February 18, 2007

Justice, truth, and identity;  race, society, and law—these all come into dramatic play as South…

Hands cupped gently holding a single yellow flower, symbolizing reconciliation.

Confucius

December 31, 2006

Confucius laid down a pattern of thinking followed by more people for more generations than…

Portrait of Confucius, influential Chinese philosopher and teacher.

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

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