The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast – PREMIUM-PEL End-of-Summer Nightcap 2023

Intro

In this episode of “The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast,” the hosts engage in a casual conversation about various philosophical and intellectual topics. They touch upon the relationship between nature and philosophy, the experiential connection to adventure, and recommend an HBO show with poignant and philosophical content. They also discuss upcoming podcast episodes featuring academic author guests and delve into the realms of evolutionary biology and psychology. Join the hosts as they explore these fascinating subjects and share their insights.

Main Takeaways

Nature, Philosophy, and Adventure

• Dylan shares his thoughts on the relationship between nature and philosophy, emphasizing the allure of engaging in challenging activities for the sake of personal growth and exploration.
• The group discusses the experiential connection to adventure, highlighting motorcycle riding and bicycle trips as examples of immersive experiences that can enhance one’s understanding of oneself and the world.

Recommended HBO Show: “How to with John Wilson”

• The hosts highly recommend the HBO show, “How to with John Wilson,” for its poignant and philosophical content.
• The show follows a photojournalistic approach, exploring how we construct things to protect ourselves and our cities, and how we navigate our interactions as human beings.

Upcoming Discussions and Challenges

• David Cholmer’s new book on the metaverse or simulations will be discussed in an upcoming podcast episode.
• The podcast host plans to challenge Cholmer’s ideas using the Socratic method in a long-form scene, fostering a thought-provoking dialogue.

Evolutionary Biology, Psychology, and Language

• The hosts delve into the realms of evolutionary biology and psychology, recognizing the tendency for evolutionary biology to sometimes dismiss philosophy.
• They discuss the criticisms faced by evolutionary psychology for its reductionist approach, but acknowledge its potential in understanding phenomena such as gender and language.
• Understanding the evolution of language can shed light on its ontogeny and functionality, providing valuable insights into human communication.

Summary

The Pull of Nature and Adventure

Dylan shares his perspective on the profound connection between nature and philosophy, highlighting the allure of engaging in challenging activities purely for the sake of personal growth and exploration. The hosts discuss the experiential connection to adventure, emphasizing the transformative power of immersive experiences like motorcycle riding and bicycle trips.

Exploring “How to with John Wilson”

The hosts highly recommend the HBO show, “How to with John Wilson,” for its poignant and philosophical content. The show takes a photojournalistic approach to explore how we construct things to protect ourselves and our cities, and how we navigate our interactions as human beings. It offers a unique perspective on the intricacies of human existence.

Upcoming Discussions and Challenges

The hosts mention David Cholmer’s new book on the metaverse or simulations, which will be discussed in an upcoming podcast episode. The podcast host plans to challenge Cholmer’s ideas using the Socratic method, fostering a thought-provoking dialogue that delves into the depths of philosophical inquiry.

Evolutionary Biology, Psychology, and Language

The hosts explore the realms of evolutionary biology and psychology, acknowledging the tendency for evolutionary biology to sometimes dismiss philosophy. They discuss the criticisms faced by evolutionary psychology for its reductionist approach, but also recognize its potential in understanding phenomena such as gender and language. Understanding the evolution of language can provide valuable insights into its ontogeny and functionality, unraveling the intricacies of human communication.

Conclusion

This episode of “The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast” offers a captivating discussion on the relationship between nature and philosophy, the transformative power of adventure, and the philosophical content of the HBO show, “How to with John Wilson.” The hosts also provide insights into upcoming discussions and challenges, along with an exploration of evolutionary biology, psychology, and language. Tune in to expand your intellectual horizons and delve into the depths of philosophical inquiry.