56. To Practice Philosophy, One Must Learn How to Love
About Reality Podcast
To be honest, as I upload this episode I am realizing I may have expressed this sentiment in a previous recording, that the philosopher must first learn how to love if they are to practice philosophy aright. 'Philosophy' as a 'love of wisdom', where emphasis always seems placed on the wisdom, rather than the love; however, to love is to transcend one's self concern for the concern of another, and to learn how to do this is the beginning of wisdom, for why else seek to be wise? Unless one equates wisdom with utlitarian knowledge an individual may possess which they can then use to their...
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55. When I Grow Up, I Want to Be a Philosopher
About Reality Podcast
If I am going to claim to practice philosophy, and ostensibly occupy the position of philosopher and represent myself as such, I better be able to back that up by what I am saying. That's a pretty simple description of a basic responsibility of the philosopher, but it applies to anyone professing to be any identifiable figure and impactful member within society, that they must speak like that person they present themselves as: doctor, police officer, lawyer, veterinarian, history professor. Speaking with the integrity of one who has dedicated themselves to truly be ___, may just be at the core...
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54. The Moral Consequence of Our Being
About Reality Podcast
In this episode, philosophers are those who have become cognizant of the moral weight of their thought, and are concerned by it. In fact, they see thinking as equivalent with the recognition of the moral impact of their being within reality; in other words, they think that to be amoral is to be without thought, while to be immoral is to act against the inevitable conclusions of thought, which are always underscored by the acknowledgement of the moral consequence of our being.
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53. Nature Is Not A Problem / Psychologists are Civilization's Ministers
About Reality Podcast
Low energy episode. First one recorded in weeks, and I'm uploading it to see how it feels. Another idea for this episode's title could be: 'Moments of Empty Satisfaction'. Peace and love to you
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52. The Empty Freedom in David Foster Wallace's 'Infinite Jest'
About Reality Podcast
A guest episode with Nikole, wherein we discuss David Foster Wallace's 'Infinite Jest' and the societal problems which the individuals in his novel must grapple and cope with, as they realize in this life they have one of two choices to make: succumb to endless pleasure for lack of any other option, or else delay their gratification for the sake of a lifestyle that is healthier for them mentally and physically.
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51. Marshall McLuhan's 'The Medium Is The Message'
About Reality Podcast
Picked this book up at a used book store two weeks ago - just getting started on it, and so far it is dynamite! Thank you for tuning in!
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50. Consciousness Cannot Be Improved Upon
About Reality Podcast
This episode is relaunching the series, so in it I spend time stating what is the purpose and intention of continuing with the 'About Reality' Podcast. I am very excited to resume podcasting about philosophy, and this episode (conveniently a round number, at 50) is the beginning of a much more regular series exploring all manner of philosophical ideas, from the past as well as -- maybe -- from the present, so long as we find philosophers in the present stating new things that turn out to be necessary for the conduct of philosophical living.
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49. The Discoveries of Philosophers
About Reality Podcast
This episode about how the thoughts we are able to think are limited or bounded by the assumptions we hold about reality, including notions of time, of the freedom of the individual versus determination, etc., and how the discoveries of philosophers are phenomena used to think beyond those limits. The question is whether philosophers have discovered all that there is to uncover about humankind and their presence in the world—and then, if they have, where does that leave us in the present age? Thank you for tuning in! Please subscribe and rate! It's very much appreciated.
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48. A Philosopher's Reaction to the Threat of Nuclear War
About Reality Podcast
What does it take for an individual, or a nation, to forget what history has inscribed on their land and their psyche, in order to be able to see the reality of the moment for what it is, and resolve the historical tension and conflict diplomatically in order to envision together a different world for tomorrow? What role does philosophy play in this? Thank you for tuning in! Please subscribe and rate! It's very much appreciated.
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47. Has Civilization Sterilized the Human Animal
About Reality Podcast
Let's forget everything we thought we knew, without letting go of all that we've gained. Thank you for tuning in! Please subscribe and rate! It's very much appreciated. 'About Reality' Substack: Also, check out the YouTube channel of this series, where you can find the video recording:
info_outlineWhenever I read Cormac McCarthy I always want to talk about the visionary nature of his work and aesthetic, and my current reading of 'The Crossing' is no different. We jump right into it, and by the end of the episode we come up with one definition of the value of art (that it prompts an individual to ask questions which their day-to-day life does not require them to ask), and we also contemplate the need for a conflict at the heart of an artist's work, and whether these conflicts are in fact real, or simply imagined and supported by the artist's insistence upon them, for the sake of their art.
Thank you for tuning in! Please subscribe and rate! It's very much appreciated.