The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast · Mark Linsenmayer, Wes Alwan, Seth Paskin, Dylan Casey

PEL 2026 Kickoff Nightcap

·42 min·3 clips

What five philosophy topics would the hosts choose if they could only record five more episodes?

Mark, Seth, Wes, and Dylan host this philosophy podcast and use their annual kickoff to brainstorm future topics. They frame the discussion around a hypothetical scenario where they could only record five more episodes. Mark suggests completing the second half of Heidegger's *Being and Time* or undertaking a full study of Hegel's *Phenomenology of Spirit*. Wes expresses a preference for focusing on Levinas over Heidegger and mentions downloading *Totality and Infinity*. Seth proposes reading Bergson's *Matter and Memory* to explore the philosophy of memory, a subject he feels is underappreciated. Mark also lists Susan Haack's *Evidence and Inquiry* as a pragmatism text they've considered before. Wes recommends Axel Honneth's *The Struggle for Recognition*, a 1996 work in critical theory that explores different forms of recognition. Charles Taylor's *Sources of the Self* is also mentioned as a frequently requested book on identity. Dylan wants an episode on quantum mechanics and field theory to examine their metaphysical implications, like things arising from nothing. Another suggestion is a philosophical exploration of architecture, possibly using Alain de Botton's *The Architecture of Happiness*. Seth names McTaggart's *The Unreality of Time* as a canonical but neglected text that could complement discussions of modern physics. Mark expresses a desire to explore Chan Buddhism, seeking listener recommendations for foundational texts. Seth recommends Jack Katz's sociological work *How Emotions Work*, which analyzes everyday phenomena like crying or road rage. Mark also suggests Merleau-Ponty's early work *The Structure of Behavior*. The group considers doing a philosophical analysis of a novel like *Moby-Dick* or *Heart of Darkness*. Wes mentions the psychoanalyst Jonathan Lear, specifically his book *Therapeutic Action: An Earnest Plea for Irony*. Seth brings up the Danish pessimist philosopher Peter Wessel Zapffe and his essay *The Last Messiah*. Mark's final suggestions include William James's *Essays in Radical Empiricism* and Jean Piaget's philosophical book *Structuralism*. Other ideas floated include Robert Brandom's *Making It Explicit*, Martha Nussbaum's *The Fragility of Goodness*, and Barry Stroud's work on skepticism. The conversation is a free-flowing and collaborative brainstorming session among friends. The tone is informal, humorous, and filled with personal asides and inside jokes. Listeners interested in the podcast's future direction or who enjoy hearing philosophers geek out over their reading lists will love this episode. Those preferring tightly structured, single-topic philosophical analysis might find it too meandering.

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