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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 #243 ... Hamlet - William Shakespeare

    Episode #243 ... Hamlet - William Shakespeare
    Dec 27 2025
    Today we talk about the play Hamlet written by William Shakespeare. We compare more traditional takes on the themes of the play to a more modern, philosophical analysis of the play done by Simon Critchley and Jamieson Webster. We talk about Hamlet and his inability to take action. Surveillance in 16th century England. Ophelia as the tragic hero of the play. How ultimately Hamlet may best be described as a play about "nothing". Hope you love it. :) Sponsors: Nord VPN: ⁠https://nordvpn.com/philothis ⁠ 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 #242 ... Romeo and Juliet - William Shakespeare

    Episode #242 ... Romeo and Juliet - William Shakespeare
    Nov 29 2025
    Today we talk about the philosophy behind the play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. We talk about how ineffective violence and honor codes are as ways of maintaining the stability of a society. How catastrophe may be a deterrent to violence. The tension presented by Shakespeare between a Christian view of love, marriage and salvation and an alternative religion of love from his time. How in the kinds of love we most admire there is sometimes an element of irrationality that makes it possible. Hope you love it. :) Sponsors: ZocDoc: https://www.ZocDoc.com/PHILO Quince: https://www.QUINCE.com/pt Nord VPN: https://nordvpn.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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    31 mins
  • Episode #241 ... The Tragedy of Julius Caesar - William Shakespeare

    Episode #241 ... The Tragedy of Julius Caesar - William Shakespeare
    Nov 16 2025
    Today we talk about the philosophical themes of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare. We talk about the hypocrisy and false nostalgia of political violence. The ironies of living by a moral ideal like honor. Rhetoric as a site of where political power is won and lost in a republic. And Brutus as a unique kind of tragic hero somewhere between Stoicism and Christianity. Hope you love it. :) Sponsors: The Perfect Jean: https://theperfectjean.nyc Code: PT15 ZocDoc: https://www.ZocDoc.com/PHILO 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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    30 mins
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Difrent perspectivs, thourghts and ferloserfys make you think about the wold and whats in it. What you might be made to think and what maby you should be thinking. What looks insane on the serfice make so much sence and seem like graet selootinons. This amzing podcast makes you think like you should.

Intresting and thought provocing

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Very informative and well put together. It helped me dive further into philosophy and its history.

Probably my favorite podcast of all time!

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I wish the would examine true Christian teaching rather than just offering snide comments. But given that it's great to have an entertaining postcast explaining differing views on meaning.

I am into about 4 of these.

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Host of the show, Stephen West, makes philosophy fun and interesting. I'm always looking forward to the next episode.

philosophy for the rest of us

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Very well researched and put together. Stephen West really has a gift in explaining complex ideas in a way that is engaging and easy to follow, without oversimplifying.

thought provoking in just the right way

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