Ep. 371: Christine Korsgaard on Normativity (Part Two)
The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast
Release Date: 07/21/2025
PEL Presents Closereads: Peter Railton's "Moral Realism" (Wrap Up)
The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast
We are concluding our treatment of Peter Railton's "Moral Realism" (1984), and given that you likely haven't listened to the seven preceding parts, this discussion can serve as a standalone summary of not only Railton's view, but of the best efforts of Mark and Wes to actually figure out what a plausible naturalistic, empirical account of ethics could amount to. You can consider this a conclusion to our recent PEL episode series on meta-ethics. , starting on PDF p. 42. Sign up to support Closereads at to get all parts of this discussion plus lots more content. Get all public Closereads...
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Announcement: Mark's "Foundational Political Philosophy Texts" Fall 2025 Class
The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast
I bet you’d like to have an excuse to read some Aristotle, and Locke, Rousseau, Simone Weil, and other fun texts. Well, go read about this opportunity at and then follow the link to enroll. Not sure? (a full seminar from last semester on Plato) of what such a class is really like.
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Ep. 373: Michael Walzer on Just Wars (Part Two)
The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast
Continuing on on Just and Unjust Wars (1977), ch. 5-6. When might it be morally permissible to strike first? When is it permissible (or obligatory?) to intervene in another country's internal affairs militarily? We discuss Walzer's historical examples and apply his theories to current wars. Get more at . Visit to get ad-free episodes and tons of bonus discussion. Sponsors: Visit to get the data you need to take action for your health. Get a $1/month e-commerce trial at Enrollment is now open for Mark's online political philosophy course. See .
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PEL Presents PMP#203: What Superman?
The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast
In light of the new James Gunn film Superman, Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al talk about the character, his stories, and past films and shows. Did Zack Snyder (Man of Steel) miss the point? Are the Richard Donner films (chiefly 1978's Superman: The Movie) as good as nostalgia would have us recall them? How does one write a convincing plot centered around a flawless, basically all-powerful hero? How should the Lex Luthor character fit in? Get an ad-free experience, plus bonus talking for this and nearly every episode at for only the tiniest per-month financial pledge, or you can sign up...
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PEL Presents NEM #236: Tee Templeton's Psychedelic Ending
The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast
...OK, maybe not his ending, but it's a late career boost into overdrive: This 66-year-old has been making music since the '80s, but you're only going to find two of his releases on the streaming services right now, and only this new album (released 20 years after the previous one) has the polish to count as a world-conquering, professional release. We discuss two songs from this new album Diner of Doubt: "My Dead Friend," and "I Have a Lotta Dreams," plus "Build Another One" (and the intro, "Chinese Lights") from Might Could Have (2004). End song: "Oh Dee Oh Oh" (2023). More at . . ....
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Ep. 373: Michael Walzer on Just Wars (Part One)
The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast
On Just and Unjust Wars: A Moral Argument With Illustrations (1977), ch. 4-6 on "jus ad bellum," which refers to moral justifications for going to war. Self-defense is permissible while aggression is not, but this leaves many questions unanswered, and Walzer gives us many historical examples to consider. Get more at . Visit to get ad-free episodes and tons of bonus discussion. Sponsors: Visit to get the data you need to take action for your health. Check out Richard Dawkins' The Poetry Of Reality Podcast at . Enrollment is now open for Mark's online political philosophy course. See .
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PEL Presents Philosophy vs. Improv #98: Ragnarocking
The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast
Recorded back in June, posting now as we near the end of our season and Bill's tenure on the show, this episode now bleeds with dramatic irony. Mark and Bill discuss how to give a good speech, AI in academics, and we have a tear-stained visit to Empty Street. . .
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PEL Presents PMP#202: 50-Year-Old Jaws Busts Our Block
The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast
Purported the first summer blockbuster, Jaws has now hit 50 years, and so we discuss this wonderful early Spielberg film, its ill-conceived sequels, some of the making-of docs, and the legacy of shark/big carnivore films that it spawned. Is the film as flawless as it's made out to be? Are the sequels as awful as typically described? Mark. Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al discuss! Get an ad-free experience, plus bonus talking for this and nearly every episode at for only the tiniest per-month financial pledge, or you can sign up directly with Apple Podcasts for a subscription for ad-free and bonus...
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Ep. 372: Kant's Ethics Lectures (Part Two)
The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast
Continuing on the 1785 course lecture notes by Georg Ludwig Collins. We cover duties to oneself, which are actually the most important ones. There are some interesting subtleties even though Kant is clearly a creature of his time and place, e.g. in his views of sexuality. Get more at . Visit to get ad-free episodes and tons of bonus discussion. Sponsors: Visit to get the data you need to take action for your health. Visit for 15% off online courses on using AI in creative, human-centered ways. Learn about Mark's online political philosophy class at .
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PEL Presents NEM#235: Willie Nile's Poetic Rock Anthems
The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast
New York singer-songwriter Willie has released sixteen albums since 1980. He has opened for The Who and Bruce Springsteen, among others, but rejected the major label life after his first two albums. We discuss "An Irish Goodbye" (feat. Paul Brady) from The Great Yellow Light (2025) (and listen at the end to "Wake Up, America" feat. Steve Earle from that album), "Cell Phones Ringing (In the Pockets of the Dead)" from Streets of New York (2006), and the title track from Places I Have Never Been (1991). Intro: "Vagabond Moon" from Willie Nile (1980). . . Sponsor: Visit to take control of your...
info_outlineConcluding our treatment of The Sources of Normativity. We give Korsgaard's tweaks to Kant, including her distinction between the categorical imperative and the moral law. We then explain her reference to Wittgenstein's private language argument in her argument that reason-giving, and hence morality, can't be merely self-referential.
Get more at partiallyexaminedlife.com. Visit partiallyexaminedlife.com/support to get ad-free episodes and tons of bonus discussion, including a supporter-exclusive Nightcap comparing Korsgaard to Foot.
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Learn about Mark's online political philosophy class at partiallyexaminedlife.com/class.