Philosophize This! Podcast By Stephen West cover art

Philosophize This!

Philosophize This!

By: Stephen West
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About this listen

 Beginner friendly if listened to in order! For anyone interested in an educational podcast about philosophy where you don't need to be a graduate-level philosopher to understand it. In chronological order, the thinkers and ideas that forged the world we live in are broken down and explained.2024 Philosophy Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Episode #228 ... Albert Camus - Kafka and The Fall

    Episode #228 ... Albert Camus - Kafka and The Fall
    May 12 2025
    Today we talk about Camus' book The Fall and what the main character represents in his larger project. We also talk about someone Camus deeply admired, Franz Kafka, and how to think of the images he created in his work. We talk about the experience of the modern individual in relation to politics. We also talk about what Camus and Kafka disagreed on. Hope you love it. :) Sponsor: Better Help: https://www.BetterHelp.com/PHILTHIS Thank you so much for listening! Could never do this without your help. Website: https://www.philosophizethis.org/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/philosophizethis Social: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philosophizethispodcast X: https://twitter.com/iamstephenwest Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/philosophizethisshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    31 mins
  • Episode #227 ... Albert Camus - On Exile

    Episode #227 ... Albert Camus - On Exile
    Apr 18 2025
    Today we talk about the concept of exile from the work of Camus. We focus on a couple stories from his book Exile and The Kingdom. We talk about why Camus insists that true lucidity can only arise from the jarring lived experience he calls “exile,” not from armchair reflection. We talk about Janine’s desert epiphany in “The Adulterous Woman.” We talk about school‑teacher Daru in “The Guest,” trapped between France and Algeria, whose double exile shows how history can choose for us. We talk about the everyday escape hatches—nostalgia, comfort contracts, curated news bubbles—that let people dodge exile until reality blindsides them. Hope you enjoy it! :) Sponsors: ZocDoc: https://www.ZocDoc.com/PHILO Incogni: https://www.Incogni.com/philothis Thank you so much for listening! Could never do this without your help. Website: https://www.philosophizethis.org/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/philosophizethis Social: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philosophizethispodcast X: https://twitter.com/iamstephenwest Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/philosophizethisshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    36 mins
  • Episode #226 - Albert Camus - The Rebel

    Episode #226 - Albert Camus - The Rebel
    Apr 4 2025
    Today we talk about Camus’ concept of rebellion and how it offers a powerful alternative to abstract ideologies. We talk about solidarity as the foundation for justice without systems. We talk about the death penalty as a symbol of premeditated murder disguised as virtue. We talk about rebellion as something closer to art than politics—an act rooted in experience, defined by limits, and carried out with sincerity. Hope you love it! :) Sponsors: Nord VPN: https://nordvpn.com/philothis The Perfect Jean: https://theperfectjean.nyc Code: PT15 Harry’s: https://www.harrys.com/PHILOSOPHIZE Thank you so much for listening! Could never do this without your help. Website: https://www.philosophizethis.org/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/philosophizethis Social: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philosophizethispodcast X: https://twitter.com/iamstephenwest Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/philosophizethisshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    35 mins
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Learning philosophy wasn't something I had a lot of interest in in school - outside of a few pitical philosophers in college and some plato in high school I never read much. Stephen's Podcast changed that!

The way he presents philosophy is relatable and grounded in the way we actually live in this world, so it doesn't feel like a bunch of old talking heads, it feels like people asking important questions. Each thinker gives me a new way to look at the world and understand what I'm doing in it, and what I could do. It helps me think about politics, religion, life... and also little things like why I laugh, how I spend my free time, and how to talk with the people in my life.

It's grounding, it's interesting, and Stephen West does a great job presenting really complicated things in digestible ways. If any of that seems interesting to you, and if you want to learn more about any philosopher from Foucault to Diogenes, give this a listen :)

Learning Philosophy as an Adult

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I absolutely loved this show. I only wish I had learned about it sooner. relatively recently, I learned of a quote by Marshall McLuhan that offered to me a profound philosophical insight for me. "There is no absolute inevitability. So long as there is a willingness to contemplate what is happening. " To my delight the simplest form of this insight was the ultimate conclusion of this show. Pay attention. since then everything I have learned as far as the philosophical work of Marshall McLuhan has perfectly aligned and grown my own understanding. I am truly grateful for your work on this. I was honestly quite saddened and a little discouraged when I searched McLuhans name into audible and found almost nothing as far as audible books go. I his was a mind we should know better as a society. because I don't think we've been paying close enough attention thus far.

Just what I was looking for.

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The podcast does a great job of breaking down complex philosophical concepts into concise 30 min episodes. I've listened from the first episode and the quality of the content remains throughout.

Fantastic!

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Wow, yknow this podcast is the first one i’ve ever been truly captivated by, the information is perfectly given, crossovers are amazing, and the everything is displayed in such a PERFECT manner that makes it easy to remember. (Your analogy are also funny but that’s not the point) Definitely a must listen, also Steven West has an amazing voice!

Learning philosophy as a Gen Z teen

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I have been interested in learning about philosophy for years, but I struggled to find a structure for approaching such a deep field of study. This podcast provided the structure I needed and more. Listening to Stephen talk about these individual philosophers has allowed me to decide which ones a want to pursue learning more about. Before I started listening to this podcast, I was in the midst of an existential crisis that had persisted for a few years, lost in the infinite as it were. While I'm still far too skeptical to accept any single world view, this podcast has helped me to start building my own island in the sea of infinite possibilities.

My absolute favorite podcast

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I have been listening to this podcast for a while all the way from the beginning. It has introduced me to many great schools of thoughts, philosophies and philosophers and has made me think critically. Stephen West is pretty enjoyable to listen too and comes up with some great content as far as I can tell, which comes from myself who lacks a philosophical background. Its been made very simple and easy to digest and understand which I am very greatful for. Its why I like it so much.

Always interesting!

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by far the best beginner intro to philosophy I found! Took me awhile to try and get into philosophy since many sources i found just made it seem too difficult & daunting.

Stephen smoothly eases you into it and I found it incredibly easy to follow along and so enjoyable!! I re-listen to some eps where my interest was piqued or even to help calm me through some hard days.

I listen to this on Spotify but i just came over here to add a review!

So highly recommended.

Easy to follow intro into Philosophy

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The author does a great job of blending entertainment, tone, and simplification to make sometimes complex philosophical content accessible to the masses. This is important stuff!!

Excellent content, excellent delivery!

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Digestible stories with mostly objective context. Theses episodes are a GREAT way to meander your way through the thick and conflicting body of work that is philosophy. Stephen is immensely knowledgeable and a pleasure to listen to.

Philosophy made interesting

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love love love.
Grounding as hell.
A huge factor in keeping me sane.
Thank you, Stephen West.

accessible philosophy!

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