Ep. 371: Christine Korsgaard on Normativity (Part Two)
The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast
Release Date: 07/21/2025
Ep. 372: Kant's Ethics Lectures (Part One)
The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast
We discuss lecture notes from Kant's 1785 ethics course, which provide more examples and an emphasis on the practical than his more famous works. For instance, we get more information on ethical motivation: How can the rational recognition of ethical principles lead to moral feelings? Get more at . Visit to get ad-free episodes and tons of bonus discussion. Sponsor: Visit to get the data you need to take action for your health. Learn about Mark's online political philosophy class at .
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PEL Presents PvI#97: Peep Dome Pets w/ Merry Mary Hynes
The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast
LA Second City improv instructor Mary joins us to act out a pet sitting job interview, talk about sharing our public spaces with animals, and finally return to Empty Street to see if we can get some animal action going in the mart. In the post-game, we talk about Bill's new academic studies and Mark's upcoming Gen Con trip. . . Sponsors: Don't wait until the next bite -- protect your home with Bzigo. Go to to save 10% off. Go to or use code IMPROV at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!
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PEL Presents PMP#201: John Wick Minus Wick
The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast
In light of the new film Ballerina, we discuss the John Wick franchise that kicked off in 2014 with four films plus a (bad) Peacock TV show. We also watched the recent documentary Wick Is Pain. Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn and Al are joined by Brian Casey to mostly talk about the main four films in the series: They have a formula, but is that bad? 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 material for three of Mark's...
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Ep. 371: Christine Korsgaard on Normativity (Part Two)
The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast
Concluding 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 . Visit to get ad-free episodes and tons of bonus discussion, including a supporter-exclusive Nightcap comparing Korsgaard to Foot. Sponsors: Visit to get the data you need to take action for your health. Get a $1/month e-commerce trial at Learn...
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PEL Presents NEM#234: John Kruth the Multi-Hyphenate
The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast
Not only is John a multi-instrumentalist who's played with Violent Femmes, Allen Ginsberg, Hal Willner, John Prine, et al, but he's released around 24 albums as a solo artist or with groups including the NYC world music outfit TriBeCaStan. We discuss "(Be Careful What You Say to) An Armed Lady" by Folklorkestra from A Strange Day in June (2023), the title track from Forever Ago (with La Societe; del Musici) (2018), "Bed Bugs" by TriBeCaStan from New Deli (2012), and listen to "Back Country" by The Electric Chairmen from Toast (1995). Intro: "Grim Reaper’s Song" from Midnight Snack...
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Ep. 371: Christine Korsgaard on Normativity (Part One)
The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast
On lectures 3 and 4 of The Sources of Normativity (1996), where we get Korsgaard's positive view on how morality becomes obligatory for an individual, which has to do with identity, reason-giving, and our fundamentally social nature. And yet, her view is an interpretation of Kant! Get more at . Visit to get ad-free episodes and tons of bonus discussion. Sponsors: Don't wait until the next bite—protect your home with Bzigo. Go to to save 10%. Visit to get the data you need to take action for your health. Learn about Mark's online political philosophy class at .
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PEL Presents PvI#96: We Allege Humor w/ Mark Schiff & Daniel Lobell
The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast
Mark Schiff is a legendary stand-up who currently podcasts with and , Daniel Lobell as . These gents join Mark and Bill to talk about stand-up vs. improv, comedy LPs, waterless urinals, bad press, the path to enlightenment, and how to get rid of syphilis. We run a scene on hiring entertainment for the company party, and engage in some riffs that can only be called improv. . . Sponsor: Go to or use code IMPROV at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!
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Ep. 370: Christine Korsgaard on the History of Ethics (Part Two)
The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast
We dive further into the text of lectures 1 and 2 of The Sources of Normativity (1996). We give Korsgaard's account of the idea of reflective endorsement through Hume and Bernard Williams to get to her own view. When you come to know the origins of your moral sentiments, do you still stand behind them? Get more at . Visit to get ad-free episodes and tons of bonus discussion. Learn more about Mark's fall online political philosophy class at . Sponsor: Visit to get the data you need to take action for your health.
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PEL Presents PMP#200: Hollywood Studio Antics (feat. The Studio and Erica Spyres)
The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast
In immediate reaction to the Apple TV+ Seth Rogan show The Studio, we talk about Hollywood's obsession with itself and how studio dynamics interfere with what exactly we all get to see. Also, what's with the fascination with old Hollywood? What's the appeal of Hollywood gossip? Erica our first-season co-host returns to join Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al. For more, visit . Hear this ad-free with bonus content at or by subscribing via Apple Podcasts to the . If you enjoy our show, check out .
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Ep. 370: Christine Korsgaard on the History of Ethics (Part One)
The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast
On The Sources of Normativity (1996), lectures 1 and 2. How are facts related to obligations? We don't want to merely explain our moral impulses, but justify them. Korsgaard walks us through the views of Hobbes, Hume, Bernard Williams and others to arrive at her own breed of Kantianism, which we'll lay out in ep. 371. Get more at . Visit to get ad-free episodes and tons of bonus discussion. Sponsor: Don't wait until the next bite—protect your home with Bzigo. Go to to save 10%.
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.
Sponsors: Visit functionhealth.com/PEL to get the data you need to take action for your health. Get a $1/month e-commerce trial at shopify.com/pel.
Learn about Mark's online political philosophy class at partiallyexaminedlife.com/class.