A survey of philosophers and their ideas primarily on topics of ethics and metaphysics.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2022/2/6/22/2a0f26d8-8470-4738-8f4f-03d5628e47e0_propositions.mp3

Let&#39;s have a quick look at arguments with an &#34;if... then&#34; structure.

Basic Propositional arguments

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2022/1/27/21/bdef3ce9-7c61-4f48-8cd9-58ed93bf3d7f_syllogism.mp3

Here is a quick look at Syllogisms and how to apply rules to check validity.

Syllogisms

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2022/1/15/21/811de762-82c8-4062-8e1a-d77cfae6c39c_critical_thinking2.mp3

A look at statement types A, E, I, &amp; O with negations.

Critcal Thinking: part2

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2022/1/15/20/68c60ba7-8f5f-4a26-84b3-de862b9964fd_critcial_thinking_1.mp3

Here I will review a few basic concepts and terms of logic that we will use in the following episodes. I want to clarify statements and propositions, and the difference between valid and sound arguments.

Some basic terms and concepts

Here I will review a few basic concepts and terms of logic that we will use in the following episodes. I want to clarify statements and propositions, and the difference between valid and sound arguments.

Critcial Thinking: An Introduction

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/9/8/2/d3f1fb0f-5c2e-42e5-859b-857a881f31ee_bitzer3.mp3

Bitzer&#39;s Rhetorical Situation involves three ideas: exigence, audience, and constraints. In this episode, I discuss the importance of constraints. Constraints are an essential element of a persuasive appeal. They can make or break a rhetorical audience.

Bitzer's Rhetorical Situation involves three ideas: exigence, audience, and constraints.  In this episode, I discuss the importance of constraints. Constraints are an essential element of a persuasive appeal. They can make or break a rhetorical audience.

Bitzer's Idea of Constraints

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/9/6/20/f3c1feab-ec57-4025-a708-d1e6b4fb73a5_bitzer2.mp3

Two elements that create a rhetorical situation are exigence and audience. What is a rhetorical exigence &amp; rhetorical audience?

Two elements that create a rhetorical situation are exigence and audience. What is a rhetorical exigence & rhetorical audience?

Bitzer's Rhetorical Theory: Exigence and Audience

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/9/5/21/af5d96a3-00c8-43c7-8377-5267cd553bee_bitzer1.mp3

In 1968 Bitzer offers a revolutionary way of thinking about rhetoric. He points out that we use rhetoric much more often than we might expect, and that Aristotle&#39;s three modes of appeal fall short in understanding the rhetorical needs. Bitzer&#39;s theory is a Copernican revolution in rhetorical theory.

In 1968 Bitzer offers a revolutionary way of thinking about rhetoric. He points out that we use rhetoric much more often than we might expect, and that Aristotle's three modes of appeal fall short in understanding the rhetorical needs. Bitzer's theory is a Copernican revolution in rhetorcial theory.

Bitzer's Rhetorical Situation part one

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/9/4/19/30ed9691-6876-443e-a513-8c1a77909a52_rhetoric3.mp3

Booth&#39;s Rhetorical Stance develops Aristotle&#39;s rhetorical Triangle idea by stressing the importance of a flexible balance between the modes of appeal. If any mode of appeal is pushed too far and given too much weight, we have a corruption of communication.

Booth's Rhetorical Stance develops Aristotle's rhetorical Triangle idea by stressing the importance of a flexible balance between the modes of appeal. If any mode of appeal is pushed too far and given too much weight, we have a corruption of communication.

Booth's Rhetorical Stance

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/9/3/3/7682de57-1a8e-48cb-a42a-34f7c56cc175_rhetoric2.mp3

Here is a quick summary and review of the Modes of Appeal. These modes are the basic tools we use for persuasion.

Here is a quick summary and review of the Modes of Appeal. These modes are the basic tools we use for persuasion.

A quick look at Aristotle's Modes of Appeal

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/9/2/20/d44f9bb7-6d97-49b6-ad78-9a0f915ac1a3_rhetoric1.mp3

What is rhetoric? Aristotle provides us with a basic framework for approaching the art of persuasion. Let&#39;s have a quick look at his rhetorical triangle and how it might be applied to a job interview.

An Introduction to rhetoical theory

What is rhetoric? Aristotle provides us with a basic framework for approaching the art of persuasion. Let's have a quick look at his rhetorical triangle and how it might be applied to a job interview.

Rhetoric: an introduction

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/4/4/20/bbd66dd6-298b-4baa-baf0-e58f3b7e6f0d_20plotinus.mp3

A quick look at the rational mysticism of Plotinus

The search for the One

A quick look at the rational mysticism of Plotinus

Plotinus

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/4/4/20/b505b191-5e16-4595-93a1-ac0562bbf340_lucretius18.mp3

A quick look at Epicureanism and the poetry of Lucretius.

A quick look at Epicureanism and the poetry of Lucretius.

Lucretius and Epicureanism

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/4/4/18/6fff10e6-0b56-4681-b564-11681a19d701_stoics17.mp3

Stoicism was one of the most influential schools of philosophy in Rome. I will outline some of its main features.

Stoics: the world as one

Stoicism was one of the most influential schools of philosophy in Rome.

Stoic Philosophy

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/3/14/4/78fd5770-af24-4c99-ba6b-c8e3b3925f79_phaedo2.mp3

Plato now explores two important themes. First, we see the role of Ideas or Forms taking shape. The answer to ethical relativism will require some metaphysical work. Second, we see a Platonic notion of the psyche or soul take shape.

Plato's Phaedo: Part Two

Plato now explores two important themes. First, we see the role of Ideas or Forms taking shape. The answer to ethical relativism will require some metaphysical work.  Second, we see a Platonic notion of the psyche or soul take shape.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/3/12/2/ebf498e2-9fca-414a-972e-3564298cf1de_phaedo1.mp3

Plato&#39;s Phaedo is one of his most famous dialogues. It features Socrates in his prison cell on his day of execution. I will mention some of the important friends who were visiting Socrates that day, and I will explore some of the issues raised. Part two will look at how the theory of Forms is developed.

Plato's Phaedo: Part One

Plato's Phaedo is one of his most famous dialogues. It features Socrates in his prison cell on his day of execution. I will mention some of the important friends who were visiting Socrates that day, and I will explore some of the issues raised.  Part two will look at how the theory of Forms is developed.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/3/5/21/5d219778-5cf0-4886-bd09-db465f79fd8c_euthyphro.mp3

Socrates meets Euthyphro by the archon office, the archon in charge of the courts. Socrates is facing charges of impiety and Euthyphro is charging his father with impiety. Socrates suggests that Euthyphro must know what piety is if he is going to bring such serious charges against his father. In a good aporetic fashion, Socrates will reveal that Euthyphro does not know what he thinks he knows. This dialogue also demonstrates important points of logic.

Plato's Euthyphro

Socrates meets Euthyphro by the archon office, the archon in charge of the courts.  Socrates is facing charges of impiety and Euthyphro is charging his father with impiety. Socrates suggests that Euthyphro must know what piety is if he is going to bring such serious charges against his father.  In a good aporetic fashion, Socrates will reveal that Euthyphro does not know what he thinks he knows. This dialogue also demonstrates important points of logic.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/2/24/21/7cfe81c4-dcf0-45f8-adcf-f685cb2a2ec7_plato1.mp3

I will say just a few words about Plato&#39;s life and the influences on his writing. His first calling in life was dramatic poetry, and this background follows through into his dialogues.

A baisc introduction to Plato and his writing.

As a young man, Plato encountered Socrates.  Socrates inspired many philosophic schools, but by far the most influential was that created by Plato, the Academy. Plato is perhaps the most stylistically gifted writer of philosophy and in some ways the most challenging. His thoughts are always buried in the words or discourse of characters, and often the character of Socrates. Are the ideas Plato's or Socrates'? Are the ideas just talking points to inspire discussion?

Plato: a basic introduction

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/2/19/2/53fe552c-dd4a-42ab-963b-8a9cb3035940_socrates.mp3

Socrates influenced many great thinkers. I offer just a few highlights of his life and thought which completely altered the development of philosophy.

The Socratic background

Socrates was one of the influential people in ancient Greece.  I want to mention just a few highlights of his life and aspects of influence.

Socrates

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/1/27/20/ab1abc35-7ed4-48fd-8f75-393c995088c9_aristotle_on_the_soul.mp3

Here are some thoughts on Aristotle&#39;s approach to the idea of soul or psyche. It explains our unity, but also touches on our nous/intellect and how we grasp the world.

The sould as our substance

Here are some thoughts on Aristotle's approach to the idea of soul or psyche. It explains our unity, but also touches on our nous/intellect and how we grasp the world.

Arsitotle on the Soul (De Anima)

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/1/25/19/db6d1c01-4d91-411d-a3cb-c8dd67167ce5_substance.mp3

Aristotle floated a preliminary idea about a primary substance in the Categories. He suggested the primary substance could be the individual such as Socrates because all the other categories depend on that individual thing for their existence. But after introducing the idea of matter and the other causes, he sees a problem. The individual thing cannot be the primary substance. It must be the species-form.

Substance in Aristotle's Metaphysics VII

Aristotle floated a preliminary idea about a primary substance in the Categories. He suggested the primary substance could be the individual such as Socrates because all the other categories (predicates) depend on that individual thing for their existence. But after introducing the idea of matter and the other causes, he sees a problem. The individual thing cannot be the primary substance. It must be the species-form.

Substance in Aristotle's Meatphysics VII

A History of Philosophy

I will discuss some of the great philosophers and their ideas on ethics and metaphysics. Classcial philosphy is always my starting point; Plato and Aristotle will start things, but I will discuss various Hellenistic schools, and more modern thinker such as Mill , Kany, Nietzsche, and Whitehead.