#70 Philosophize This! - A Beginner's Guide to Philosophy | Within Reason

In this interview, the host engages with Stephen West of the "Philosophize This!" podcast, exploring how to approach and appreciate philosophy. West emphasizes "humanizing" philosophy to make it accessible and relevant, rather than focusing solely on historical aspects. They discuss the importance of Socrates, the distinction between Socratic and Platonic ideas, and strategies for beginners, including finding areas of personal interest, using resources like the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, and embracing the discomfort of questioning one's own beliefs. The conversation also touches on the analytic versus continental philosophy divide and concludes with West's recommendation of Simone Weil as an underrated philosopher who embodied her philosophical beliefs through action.

Outlines

Part 1: Introduction to Philosophy

Part 2: Addressing Skepticism and Value of Philosophy

Part 3: Getting Started with Philosophy

Part 4: Resources and Approaches

Part 5: Philosophers and Conclusion

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#70 Philosophize This! - A Beginner's Guide to Philosophy

Within Reason

Part 1: Introduction to Philosophy

Introduction to Philosophy and the Philosophize This! Podcast

Stephen West's Approach to Creating Philosophical Content

The Significance of Socrates in Western Philosophy

Socrates' Method and Legacy

Distinguishing Socratic Ideas and the Importance of Humility in Philosophy

Plato vs. Socrates and the Value of Ideas

Part 2: Addressing Skepticism and Value of Philosophy

Addressing Skepticism Towards Philosophy

The Value of Critical Thinking and Philosophy's Role in Intellectual Development

Practical Applications and Self-Interest in Studying Philosophy

Philosophy's Relevance to Personal, Social, and Political Life

The Value of Moral Thought Experiments and the Importance of Self-Awareness

Conceptual Engineering and the Pervasiveness of Ethical Considerations in Daily Life

Internalized Moral Intuitions and the Importance of Philosophy in Shaping Them

Part 3: Getting Started with Philosophy

Where to Begin with Philosophy: Starting with What Interests You

Finding a Starting Point: Intuition and Familiar Names

The Algorithmic Method and Envy as a Guide

Seeking Recommendations and Following What Captures You

The Importance of Personal Interest and Patience

Avoiding Overwhelm and the Importance of Accessibility

Part 4: Resources and Approaches

Introductory Resources for Philosophy

A Deeper Dive: Secondary Sources and the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Additional Resources and the Importance of Patience and Humility

Finding Your Path: Podcasts, the SEP, and the Importance of Form and Content

Analytic vs. Continental Philosophy: A Brief Overview

Contrasting Approaches: Formal Logic vs. Narrative and Poetry

Specialization vs. Seeing the Whole Picture

Choosing Your Path: Intuition and Personal Appeal

Part 5: Philosophers and Conclusion

Simone Weil: An Underrated Philosopher

Overrated Philosophers and a Contradiction in Hume

The Benefits and Responsibilities of Doing Philosophy Content

Gratitude and Encouragement for Newcomers to Philosophy

#70 Philosophize This! - A Beginner's Guide to Philosophy

Within Reason

Part 1: Introduction to Philosophy

00:00Introduction to Philosophy and the Philosophize This! Podcast

Introduction to Philosophy and the Philosophize This! Podcast

01:21Stephen West's Approach to Creating Philosophical Content

Stephen West's Approach to Creating Philosophical Content

02:55The Significance of Socrates in Western Philosophy

The Significance of Socrates in Western Philosophy

04:54Socrates' Method and Legacy

Socrates' Method and Legacy

06:04Distinguishing Socratic Ideas and the Importance of Humility in Philosophy

Distinguishing Socratic Ideas and the Importance of Humility in Philosophy

07:38Plato vs. Socrates and the Value of Ideas

Plato vs. Socrates and the Value of Ideas

Part 2: Addressing Skepticism and Value of Philosophy

09:19Addressing Skepticism Towards Philosophy

Addressing Skepticism Towards Philosophy

11:31The Value of Critical Thinking and Philosophy's Role in Intellectual Development

The Value of Critical Thinking and Philosophy's Role in Intellectual Development

14:43Practical Applications and Self-Interest in Studying Philosophy

Practical Applications and Self-Interest in Studying Philosophy

16:47Philosophy's Relevance to Personal, Social, and Political Life

Philosophy's Relevance to Personal, Social, and Political Life

19:02The Value of Moral Thought Experiments and the Importance of Self-Awareness

The Value of Moral Thought Experiments and the Importance of Self-Awareness

21:15Conceptual Engineering and the Pervasiveness of Ethical Considerations in Daily Life

Conceptual Engineering and the Pervasiveness of Ethical Considerations in Daily Life

23:53Internalized Moral Intuitions and the Importance of Philosophy in Shaping Them

Internalized Moral Intuitions and the Importance of Philosophy in Shaping Them

Part 3: Getting Started with Philosophy

25:45Where to Begin with Philosophy: Starting with What Interests You

Where to Begin with Philosophy: Starting with What Interests You

27:52Finding a Starting Point: Intuition and Familiar Names

Finding a Starting Point: Intuition and Familiar Names

31:26The Algorithmic Method and Envy as a Guide

The Algorithmic Method and Envy as a Guide

33:17Seeking Recommendations and Following What Captures You

Seeking Recommendations and Following What Captures You

36:01The Importance of Personal Interest and Patience

The Importance of Personal Interest and Patience

39:50Avoiding Overwhelm and the Importance of Accessibility

Avoiding Overwhelm and the Importance of Accessibility

Part 4: Resources and Approaches

42:23Introductory Resources for Philosophy

Introductory Resources for Philosophy

44:40A Deeper Dive: Secondary Sources and the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

A Deeper Dive: Secondary Sources and the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

47:54Additional Resources and the Importance of Patience and Humility

Additional Resources and the Importance of Patience and Humility

50:57Finding Your Path: Podcasts, the SEP, and the Importance of Form and Content

Finding Your Path: Podcasts, the SEP, and the Importance of Form and Content

54:28Analytic vs. Continental Philosophy: A Brief Overview

Analytic vs. Continental Philosophy: A Brief Overview

56:05Contrasting Approaches: Formal Logic vs. Narrative and Poetry

Contrasting Approaches: Formal Logic vs. Narrative and Poetry

1:00:30Specialization vs. Seeing the Whole Picture

Specialization vs. Seeing the Whole Picture

1:03:04Choosing Your Path: Intuition and Personal Appeal

Choosing Your Path: Intuition and Personal Appeal

Part 5: Philosophers and Conclusion

1:05:39Simone Weil: An Underrated Philosopher

Simone Weil: An Underrated Philosopher

1:09:23Overrated Philosophers and a Contradiction in Hume

Overrated Philosophers and a Contradiction in Hume

1:12:43The Benefits and Responsibilities of Doing Philosophy Content

The Benefits and Responsibilities of Doing Philosophy Content

1:15:24Gratitude and Encouragement for Newcomers to Philosophy

Gratitude and Encouragement for Newcomers to Philosophy