Best Mad Philosopher Podcasts (2025)

1
A Philosophical Look at Madness with guest Justin Garson 1:18:27

13d ago1:18:27

1:18:27

Jack interviews Justin Garson, writer, philosopher, and professor, to explore an unsettling and illuminating idea: What if madness isn't just a disorder, but a signal, expressing something deeply out of sync in our lives or society?

1
Henry David Thoreau 51:00

6d ago51:00

51:00

Henry David Thoreau A Very Short Introduction Lawrence Buell The first concise account of Thoreau's life, thought, work, and impact in more than half a century Builds upon the explosion of new scholarship on Thoreau during the decade of the bicentennial of his birth Treats Thoreau's two most famous and influential works - Walden and "Civil Disobedi…

1
HoP 471 Unclear and Indistinct Ideas: Debating the Meditations 21:51

14d ago21:51

21:51

Descartes’ Meditations caused controversy as soon as it appeared. In this episode we look at criticisms including the “Cartesian Circle,” and how Descartes answered them.By Peter Adamson

1
HoP 470 Gary Hatfield on Descartes' Meditations 36:09

28d ago36:09

36:09

We're joined in this episode by a leading expert on one of the most famous works of philosophy ever written: Descartes' Meditations.By Peter Adamson

1
Bernard Mandeville, 1670-1733. 57:36

1M ago57:36

57:36

Man-Devil: The Mind and Times of Bernard Mandeville, the Wickedest Man in Europe John J. Callanan A lively and provocative account of Bernard Mandeville and the work that scandalized and appalled his contemporaries—and made him one of the most influential thinkers of the eighteenth century In 1714, doctor, philosopher and writer Bernard Mandeville …

1
Is Virtual Reality Real? 1:10:03

1M ago1:10:03

1:10:03

Jack sits down with David Chalmers, renowned philosopher of mind, to explore the provocative question: Is virtual reality real? They explore the blurred boundaries between the virtual and the physical, consciousness, and presence. Together, they consider whether digital worlds can hold the same ontological weight as the "real" world, and what that …

1
HoP 469 Ghost in the Machine: Cartesian Dualism 24:30

1M ago24:30

24:30

The word “Cartesian” is synonymous with a radical contrast between mind and body. What led Descartes to his dualism, and how can he explain vital activities in humans and animals having rejected the Aristotelian theory of soul?By Peter Adamson

1
Announcing a new book: "Israel, Palestine, and the Trolley Problem" by Jack Russell Weinstein 2:59

1M ago2:59

2:59

Jack announces his new book, Israel, Palestine, and the Trolley Problem.

1
HoP 468 Perchance to Dream: Descartes’ Skeptical Method 29:29

2M ago29:29

29:29

How Descartes fashioned a “method” to repel even the strongest and most radical forms of doubt, with the cogito argument as its foundation.By Peter Adamson

1
This concise book introduces phenomenology in its rigor--and its breadth: from philosophical foundation to application in psychology, psychiatry, qualitative research, critical theory, sociology, etc. 52:58

2M ago52:58

52:58

Dan Zahavi Phenomenology: The basics, 2nd Edition Two footnotes to the podcast. 1. Walter Hopp's beloved Boston University course is distilled in his Phenomenology: A Contemporary Introduction (2020), an excellent companion to Zahavi's text that focuses on philosophical phenomenology. 2. Paul Møller's Psychosis risk and experience of the self (2023…

1
Philosophy and Fashion 1:10:27

2M ago1:10:27

1:10:27

Jack sits down with Gwenda-lin Grewal, philosopher and writer, to explore the unexpected intersections between philosophy and fashion. They explore how style reflects deeper questions about identity, perception, and the human condition, and consider the ways in which clothing can serve as both personal expression and philosophical inquiry.…

1
HoP 467 Written in Mathematics: Descartes’ Physics 27:32

2M ago27:32

27:32

For Descartes body is purely geometrical. So how does he understand features we can perceive, like color, and causation between bodies?By Peter Adamson

1
HoP 466 Well Hidden: Descartes’ Life and Works 20:13

3M ago20:13

20:13

How René Descartes’ understanding of his own intellectual project evolved across his lifetime.By Peter Adamson

1
HoP 465 Modern Times: France and the Netherlands in the 17th Century 27:02

3M ago27:02

27:02

A look at the political and religious ferment that made up the historical context of philosophy in 17th century France and the Netherlands.By Peter Adamson

1
The Human Connection to Nature 1:05:01

3M ago1:05:01

1:05:01

In this episode of the WHY Podcast, Jack sits down with Mark C. Taylor, Professor of Religion at Columbia University, to discuss how the humanities and the natural world intersect. They talk about how literature, philosophy, and art can provide new insights into our connection with nature and offer paths toward a more sustainable and harmonious rel…

1
HoP 464 Howard Hotson on the Republic of Letters 42:13

4M ago42:13

42:13

In this interview we learn more about the Republic of Letters: its importance for the history of ideas, it geographic breadth, who was involved, and the contributions of figures including Leibniz and Hartlib.By Peter Adamson

1
One of the preeminent philosophers of our time, Owen Flanagan, was for many years an addict. He synthesizes in this book both the science and phenomenology of addiction. 44:33

4M ago44:33

44:33

Owen Flanagan James B. Duke University Professor Emeritus of Philosophy & Professor of Neurobiology Emeritus What Is It Like to Be an Addict?: Understanding Substance Abuse "A brilliant and unparalleled synthesis of the science, philosophy, and first-person phenomenology of addiction. Owen Flanagan is a distinguished philosopher who ... is also an …

1
HoP 463 Doctors without Borders: the Republic of Letters 23:36

4M ago23:36

23:36

How scholars around Europe created an international network of intellectual exchange. As examples we consider the activities of Mersenne, Peiresc, Leibniz, Calvet, and Hartlib.By Peter Adamson

1
Until now there were three schools of thought on how best to live one's life (Utilitarian, Kantian, and Aristotelian). Agnes Callard proposes a fourth: Socratic. 37:20

4M ago37:20

37:20

Agnes Callard Open Socrates "[C]harming, intelligent…Open Socrates encourages us to recognize how little we know, and to start thinking." —Jennifer Szalai, New York Times An iconoclastic philosopher revives Socrates for our time, showing how we can answer—and, in the first place, ask—life’s most important questions. Socrates has been hiding in plai…

1
Getting Good Out of The Bad 1:07:54

4M ago1:07:54

1:07:54

In this episode of the WHY Podcast, Jack sits down with Krista Thomason, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Swarthmore College, to explore the intriguing idea of finding value in negative emotions. Krista, author of Dancing with the Devil: Why Bad Feelings Make Life Good, delves into how emotions like shame, guilt, and anger can, paradoxically, l…

1
HoP 462 Freedom to Philosophize: Introduction to Early Modern Philosophy 36:34

5M ago36:34

36:34

What is Enlightenment, anyway?By Peter Adamson

1
HoP 461 - Eileen Reeves on Galileo and the Telescope 43:04

5M ago43:04

43:04

We finish our look at philosophy in the Reformation era with an interview about Galileo's use of a revolutionary technology: the telescope.By Peter Adamson

1
When Is Life Good Enough 1:17:09

5M ago1:17:09

1:17:09

In this episode of the WHY Podcast, Jack sits down with Avram Alpert, author of The Good-Enough Life, to explore the philosophical question: "When is life good enough?" Alpert, a writer, teacher, and Co-Director of the Interdisciplinary Art and Theory Program in NYC, discusses the themes of the book, which challenges the notion of perfectionism and…

1
Wouter Kusters is a philosopher who suffered two psychotic breaks in his life. This book also at times degenerates into mad thinking. The reader's mind follows Kusters descent.philosophy), the book also ... 43:30

5M ago43:30

43:30

Wouter Kusters A Philosophy of Madness: The Experience of Psychotic Thinking MIT Press: https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262044288/a-philosophy-of-madness/

1
outside! See https://CorriganIPU.com for updates on Human Rights Complaint against this DMH facility in Fall River MA 24:00

5M ago24:00

24:00

See https/://CorriganIPU.com for updates on Human Rights Complaint submitted to Mass DMV regarding alleged human rights violations in this Fall River, MA facility. Corrigan IPU patients deserve a real, substantive right to access the outdoors. It is gross really to see the Corrigan IPU patients staying inside day after day, week after week, and in …

1
HoP 460 - Trial and Error - Galileo and the Inquisition 18:59

6M ago18:59

18:59

The philosophical issues at the heart of the notorious condemnation of Galileo and Copernican astronomy.By Peter Adamson

1
HoP 459 - Cardinal Rule - Robert Bellarmine 19:36

6M ago19:36

19:36

Though most famous for his role in persecuting Galileo, Robert Bellarmine was a central figure of the Counter-Reformation, especially in his political thought.By Peter Adamson

1
Corrigan Mental Health Center in Fall River, MA. See CorriganIPU.com for latest on Human Rights Complaint 45:14

6M ago45:14

45:14

See CorriganIPU.com for updates on Human Rights Complaint The IPU at Corrigan Mental Health Center. This is a psychiatric IPU in Fall River, MA. It's a DMH facility. Best parts: 1) there are some excellent staff members (excellent both for patients and for co-workers), (e.g., OT Kyle, providers Max and Allison, nurses Christian and Jill, tech Sean,…

1
disavowal 50:47

6M ago50:47

50:47

Alenka Zupančič Disavowal This book argues that the psychoanalytic concept of disavowal best renders the structure underlying our contemporary social response to traumatic and disturbing events, from climate change to unsettling tectonic shifts in our social tissue. Unlike denialism and negation, disavowal functions by fully acknowledging what we d…

1
HoP 458 - Outsider Philosophy - The Cheese and the Worms 22:15

7M ago22:15

22:15

Carlo Ginzburg’s innovative historical study The Cheese and the Worms looks at the ideas of an obscure 16th century miller, suggesting how popular culture might be integrated into the history of philosophy.By Peter Adamson

1
psychosis 47:12

7M ago47:12

47:12

Stijn Vanheule Why Psychosis Is Not So Crazy A Road Map to Hope and Recovery for Families and Caregivers An expert’s guide to humanizing psychosis through communication offers key insights for family and friends to support loved ones during mental health crises. Are we all a little crazy? Roughly 15 percent of the population will have a psychotic e…

1
HoP 457 - Take Your Medicine - Oliva Sabuco and Camilla Erculiani 19:53

7M ago19:53

19:53

Natural philosophy and medicine in the work of two unorthodox thinkers of the late sixteenth century, both of them women.By Peter Adamson

1
turkeys 45:10

7M ago45:10

45:10

Peter Singer Consider the turkey Why this holiday season is a great time to rethink the traditional turkey feast.

1
Touch: Our Most Vital Sense 1:23:10

7M ago1:23:10

1:23:10

In this episode of WHY: Philosophical Discussions About Everyday Life, host Jack Russell Weinstein speaks with Richard Kearney, a distinguished philosopher and author of Touch: Recovering Our Most Vital Sense.

1
HoP 456 - Touch Me With Your Madness - Cervantes’ Don Quixote 25:39

7M ago25:39

25:39

Why do critics consider Don Quixote the first “modern” novel, and what does it tell us about the aesthetics of fiction?By Peter Adamson

1
HoP 455 - Tom Pink on Francisco Suárez 35:26

8M ago35:26

35:26

We're joined by Tom Pink, who tells us about Suárez on ethics, law, religion, and the state.By Peter Adamson

1
What is Dignity? 1:11:44

8M ago1:11:44

1:11:44

Host Jack Russell Weinstein interviews Michael Rosen, a distinguished professor of Ethics and Politics at Harvard University and author of Dignity: Its History and Meaning. Their conversation explores the multifaceted nature of dignity, tracing its historical evolution and examining its significance in contemporary discourse. Rosen, who specializes…

1
HoP 454 - By Appointment Only - Political Philosophy in the Second Scholastic 16:58

8M ago16:58

16:58

Suárez and other Iberian scholastics ask where political power comes from and under what circumstances it is exercised legitimately.By Peter Adamson

1
anxiety, wonder 49:29

8M ago49:29

49:29

Maria Balaska Anxiety and wonder On being human Description At times, we find ourselves unexpectedly immersed in a mood that lacks any clear object or identifiable cause. These uncanny moments tend to be hastily dismissed as inconsequential, left without explanation. Maria Balaska examines two such cases: wonder and anxiety – what it means to prepa…

1
liberalism 51:17

8M ago51:17

51:17

Deirdre Nansen McCloskey Liberalism By revealed preference, Prof. McCloskey is our favorite scholar to talk with. This is our third conversation with her. Today, we discuss two working papers on liberalism.

1
HoP 453 - The Price is Right - Law and Economics in the Second Scholastic 17:50

9M ago17:50

17:50

Vitoria, Molina, Suárez and others develop the idea of natural law, exploring its relevance for topics including international law, slavery, and the ethics of economic exchange.By Peter Adamson

1
HoP 452 - Better Than Nothing - Metaphysics in the Second Scholastic 18:06

9M ago18:06

18:06

Did the metaphysics of Francisco Suárez mark a shift from traditional scholasticism to early modern philosophy?By Peter Adamson

1
“Is Plato Still Relevant?” 1:20:12

10M ago1:20:12

1:20:12

Host Jack Russell Weinstein visits with Marina McCoy, professor of philosophy at Boston College. She is the author of the books Plato on the Rhetoric of Philosophers and Sophists (Cambridge University Press, 2007) , Wounded Heroes: Vulnerability as a Virtue in Ancient Greek Literature and Philosophy (Oxford U Press, 2013), and Image and Argument in…

1
Valuable Lessons from My Eighth Year of Freedom 19:06

10M ago19:06

19:06

In 2021, I decided to stop doing annual updates. At that time, I thought I had FI figured out and was just living a “normal” life (so no need to talk about it anymore). Well, a lot has changed since then. Turns out, I didn’t have everything figured out :/ I explain more in today’s short podcast episode!…

1
HoP 451 - Could’ve, Would’ve, Should’ve - Free Will in the Second Scholastic 20:44

10M ago20:44

20:44

What was Luis de Molina trying to say about human free will with his doctrine of “middle knowledge,” and why did it provoke such controversy?By Peter Adamson

1
“Can You Be an Ethical Spy?” 1:12:11

10M ago1:12:11

1:12:11

Host Jack Russell Weinstein visits with Cecile Fabre, political philosopher, and Senior Research Fellow at All Souls College, Oxford. She is also Professor of Political Philosophy at the University of Oxford, and affiliated with the Faculty of Philosophy, the Department of Politics and International Relations, and Nuffield College, Oxford. Her rese…

1
HoP 450 - Depicting What Cannot Be Depicted - Philosophy and Two Renaissance Artworks 25:11

11M ago25:11

25:11

To celebrate reaching 450 episodes, Peter looks at the philosophical resonance of two famous artworks from the turn of the 16th century: Dürer’s Self-Portrait and Michelangelo’s paintings in the Sistine Chapel.By Peter Adamson

1
“What is Love?” 1:16:56

11M ago1:16:56

1:16:56

Host Jack Russell Weinstein visits with Simon Philip Walter May, visiting professor of philosophy at King's College, London, and at Birkbeck College, University of London. May is the author of "Love: A History," published by Yale University Press, 2011.

1
The Power of Quitting 6:18

12M ago6:18

6:18

Saving up a bunch of money gives you power - power you can use to make your life better and your journey to financial independence quicker. The only way to take advantage of the power though is to use it. Full Article: https://www.madfientist.com/power-of-quitting/