This podcast is quite different from the preceding two. To begin, the title is an accurate description of the podcast. It starts at the very beginning of Western philosophy and works forward through time. In this instance, “Western” philosophy is taken to include philosophy produced in various secular, pagan, Christian, Muslim, and Jewish communities that form a part of the broad tradition descending from the Greeks (if in combination with other sources of philosophical and theological thought). Many fascinating figures are discussed, some of whom have been neglected by past scholarship. We are living in time where a lot of new and fascinating work is being done in the philosophy of late antiquity, the early Christian era, the early Muslim era, and the middle ages. This podcast benefits from, and presents to a broader audience, the fruits of this research. In a typical episode, the presenter simply discusses the relevant topic directly. However, in many episodes the presenter will interview a well-respected expert on a particular historical figure or topic. The podcast is not as zippy in its presentation as the previous two, but it is still very interesting. (It’s fun to dip into past episodes on particular persons or topics.) It will be many years before this podcast works its way toward the present era in philosophy. I can only hope that it continues and succeeds in reaching it goal.
I would describe this podcast in terms of quality, format, scope, guests, etc. in the same way that I have described Philosophy Bites—which is a very strong recommendation, indeed. (See preceding link.) There are, however, several differences. First, the run-time is typically 25-35 minutes, usually running toward the longer end of that range. Second, and consistent with this longer run-time, the presenters are able to delve into topics more deeply. Third, this means that understanding the content of a given episode might be a bit more challenging than is typically the case with Philosophy Bites—but you definitely do NOT need to be an expert to understand the discussion. Fourth, the focus of this podcast is more heavily centered on new ideas, developments, and research (as opposed to new scholarship concerning historical figures in philosophy and classic philosophical topics) than is Philosophy Bites. Fifth, this focus on new areas of research leads to their being a greater number of young, up-and-coming philosophers as guests. This podcast may be a bit more challenging than Philosophy Bites for those who are new to philosophy, but it is well worth the effort.
I would describe this podcast in terms of quality, format, scope, guests, etc. in the same way that I have described Philosophy Bites—which is a very strong recommendation, indeed. (See preceding link.) There are, however, several differences. First, the run-time is typically 25-35 minutes, usually running toward the longer end of that range. Second, and consistent with this longer run-time, the presenters are able to delve into topics more deeply. Third, this means that understanding the content of a given episode might be a bit more challenging than is typically the case with Philosophy Bites—but you definitely do NOT need to be an expert to understand the discussion. Fourth, the focus of this podcast is more heavily centered on new ideas, developments, and research (as opposed to new scholarship concerning historical figures in philosophy and classic philosophical topics) than is Philosophy Bites. Fifth, this focus on new areas of research leads to their being a greater number of young, up-and-coming philosophers as guests. This podcast may be a bit more challenging than Philosophy Bites for those who are new to philosophy, but it is well worth the effort.
This is an interesting, well-presented podcast with a typical run-time of 15-20 minutes. Each episode addresses a single topic, issue, or great philosopher by interviewing a contemporary philosopher with expertise in the relevant domain. Often the topic involves cutting-edge developments in philosophy, and often these developments are being pushed forward by relatively young philosophers. Guests are drawn from American and foreign universities worldwide, wherever philosophical research is being done in the broadest tradition of Western philosophy and science--and beyond. The short run-time makes it possible for the presenters to address each episode's topic in an intelligent way, i.e. without the distorting effects of dumbing it down to reach a broader audience. Were the podcast longer, the presenters would be faced with a choice: Either dumb it down to reach a broader audience, or maintain intellectual integrity and fail to reach many of those who are, or may become, interested in philosophy. As it stands, the podcast is over before the presenters are faced with the regrettable choice of either honestly delving into difficult, complex, or technical issues, on the one hand, or transitioning into infotainment drivel so as not to lose listeners, on the other. The short format means that both newcomers to philosophy and old hands at the practice will enjoy these tasty, tantalizing morsels of philosophy--and perhaps develop a robust appetite for a greater portion of what they have sampled.
This is an interesting, well-presented podcast with a typical run-time of 15-20 minutes. Each episode addresses a single topic, issue, or great philosopher by interviewing a contemporary philosopher with expertise in the relevant domain. Often the topic involves cutting-edge developments in philosophy, and often these developments are being pushed forward by relatively young philosophers. Guests are drawn from American and foreign universities worldwide, wherever philosophical research is being done in the broadest tradition of Western philosophy and science--and beyond. The short run-time makes it possible for the presenters to address each episode's topic in an intelligent way, i.e. without the distorting effects of dumbing it down to reach a broader audience. Were the podcast longer, the presenters would be faced with a choice: Either dumb it down to reach a broader audience, or maintain intellectual integrity and fail to reach many of those who are, or may become, interested in philosophy. As it stands, the podcast is over before the presenters are faced with the regrettable choice of either honestly delving into difficult, complex, or technical issues, on the one hand, or transitioning into infotainment drivel so as not to lose listeners, on the other. The short format means that both newcomers to philosophy and old hands at the practice will enjoy these tasty, tantalizing morsels of philosophy--and perhaps develop a robust appetite for a greater portion of what they have sampled.
History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps