logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2017
1h 34m

Episode 166: Spinoza on Politics and Rel...

Mark Linsenmayer, Wes Alwan, Seth Paskin, Dylan Casey
About this episode

Concluding on the Tractatus Theologico-Politicus (1670) and Tractatus Politicus (1677). What's the relationship between ethics, reason, and revelation? What could "faith" possibly mean to a hard-core rationalist like Spinoza? Is it possible to buy into the non-denominational "true religion" without believing any of the dogmas of traditional religion at all? And what kinds of limits on free speech is Spinoza committed to?

Continued from part one or get the ad-free Citizen Edition.

Up next
Oct 13
Ep. 377: Emil Cioran's Pessimism (Part Two)
Continuing on "Directions for Decomposition" from A Short History of Decay (1949). What is it that humans are inevitably trying to avoid that seems so bad to us? It's our existential separation from others, our essential, incommunicable solitude. Plus, ennui, sloth, and being a " ... Show More
45m 46s
Oct 10
PEL Presents NEM#239: Adrian Sherwood's Dub Productions
Adrian has applied his distinctive, spacey dub mixing techniques to numerous recordings since 1978 including Ministry, Nine Inch Nails, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Sinéad O'Connor, and Spoon and has released nine albums under his own name since 2003. He has effectively served as a key b ... Show More
1h 6m
Oct 4
PEL Presents PvI#102: Pit of Despair w/ Seth Paskin
Mark's Partially Examined Life co-host Seth joins us (i.e. Mark and Mary) to introduce Seth to improv and continue introducing philosophy to Mary. We discuss Seth's attraction to depressing texts, act out couples' therapy and monster beauty parlor, and open up a few philosophical ... Show More
47m 57s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2016
Non-Christian Religions - Part 2b
Fr. Andrew concludes his survey of non-Christian religions by describing the following: Santeria Rastafarianism Neo-Gnosticism Neo-Paganism and Wicca Scientology Cargo Cults 
32m 43s
Feb 2023
Is Christianity Exclusive?
Kyle Worley and Rebecca McLaughlin faithfully explore the question, is Christianity exclusive?Questions Covered in This Episode:Is Christianity exclusive? What does that mean?Isn’t it arrogant to say there is only one true religion?When we say Christianity is exclusive and that J ... Show More
26m 8s
Dec 2012
Episode 10: Religion, Meaning, and Morality
Does life have meaning if there is no God? Why should I be a good person if there's no reward or punishment waiting for me in the afterlife? Why does religion seem to make people happier and healthier? Dave and Tamler heroically try to answer these questions without being stoned. ... Show More
58m 53s
Dec 2022
WOF 365: What is Synodality?
Friends, many people in the Church, including the Holy Father, have been talking about “synodality.” But what is it? What does it mean? How can it help the Church, and what are possible dangers? That’s what Brandon Vogt and I discuss on today’s episode of “The Word on Fire Show.” ... Show More
30m 18s
Oct 2023
Day 274: Social Duty of Religion
The social duty of religion and the right to religious freedom are presented to us in the Catechism. We examine what it means to have respect for other religions and the freedom, within limits, to exercise our convictions. Fr. Mike makes it clear that it is our calling as Christi ... Show More
17 m
Jan 2022
Do Religions Even Exist?
This episode is on the scholarly academic side. We discuss the very commonly recurring problems of essentializing, generalizing and the "No True Scotsman Fallacy" in discussions about religion. References:Coleman, Simon (2010). “Recent Developments in the Anthropology of Religion ... Show More
14m 42s
May 2023
La religion est-elle réfutable?
Peut-on réfuter le discours religieux ? quelle est la différence entre la science et la religion? 
6m 47s
Oct 2021
The Rise of the Religious "Nones" (And What It Means for Society)
In 1972, the number of Americans who described themselves as religiously unaffiliated was 5%. In 2018, it was almost 24%. Why has the number of people answering "none of the above" to the question of their religious affiliation jumped so dramatically in recent years, and what eff ... Show More
50m 9s