Philosophy: A Survival Guide

We take the throwaway phrase, “It Is What It Is” and apply it to METAPHYSICS, which then takes us to practical applications in Business, Management, Banking at BB&T with John Allison’s 10 Values, Alcoholic’s Anonymous’s Serenity Prayer, and Stephen Hawking’s declaration that Philosophy is DEAD. It’s amazing how these are all connected! Seeing this practical […]

Tones and Mike continue their discussion on the Republic, focusing on the city that Plato conceptualizes and how it has influenced Western Thought. This is the continuation of the 2-part REPUBLIC episode, partnered with Episode 15. Click here to stream the podcast here: Or here if you prefer iTunes: Music by SMALL WHITE: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Small-White/123935553680

After a long hiatus, Tones and Mike are finally back with a 2-part episode on Plato’s Republic.  In this Part 1 episode, we discuss the Ring of Gyges and The Cave, respectively linking them to conversations on Ethics and Epistemology.  Mike and Tones also discuss the importance of working with a partner and revisit the link between […]

Mike and Tones focus on a theme of balancing the narrow scope of the concrete vs. the wide scope of fundamentals by talking about the 2012 Presidential election and Thought Experiments. While the election showed the dire need of philosophic thought in political campaigns, Thought Experiments show the value in bringing ideas down to the […]

Mike and Tones discuss the philosophic ideas within the Breaking Bad TV series, Mike’s new business classes, and the situations where one must choose one value over another. All of this links our ongoing theme of principles. Plato gets some more love as well as we bring up the Crito again. Click here to stream: 13bbad […]

Mike and Tones discuss Marx’s Communist Manifesto.  Are his views “good on paper, bad in practice,” a blueprint for tyranny, or a noble system?  Were the events in Cambodia the bastardization of Marxist ideals or the logical path set out by his Manifesto?  What role does philosophy have in judging political theory? Please note that […]

Mike and Tones continue their discussion on Socrates in the Apology and the Crito, focusing on what philosophic ideas we can pull from these stories and why they are essential to even those who don’t study philosophy.  What does the tragic story of Socrates say about living according to principles?  What does it say about […]

Mike and Tones begin their discussion on Socrates (to be continued) by concentrating on Plato’s Theaetetus.  They don’t get in too deep in regards to the epistemological content of the book but rather use it to examine the character of Socrates and to discuss his role as one of the most important philosophers… EVER.  Tones […]

Mike and Tones discuss philosophy’s role in Aesthetics and why anyone should care enough to think about art.  We also argue if Aesthetics should cover non-art within its definition.  This finally leads us to emphasize the role ideas and values play in artists’ creations and our subsequent appreciation of their works. Click here to Stream: […]

A discussion of B.F. Skinner and Tones’s recent findings on Twitter take us deeper into the discussion of Freewill.  We also begin our discussion of Aesthetics, but merely as a teaser for Episode 9. Click here to Stream: Episode8 Click here if you prefer iTunes Bumper Music by Nightosaur off of their NEW album, SpaceAxers.  Check them out […]

Are the PreSocratics a bunch of goof balls with crazy ideas or are they worth studying?  Also, we discuss an article: “Philosophy: A Bunch of Bull Crap.”  Well, Is it? Click here to Stream: Ep7: Presocratics and “Bull Crap” Click here if you prefer iTunes Click here  to access the referenced Philosophy: A Bunch Of Bull Crap article […]

We offer our take on Nietzsche, we discuss LOVE (happy Valentines Day), and the importance of recognizing false dichotomies. Click here to Stream: philosurvivalguideep6 Click here if you prefer iTunes Bumper Music by MPLS ‘s own, Small White: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Small-White/123935553680  (thanks, guys!)

Moving on to Politics, we discuss Egalitarianism.  We also discuss a few reading tips for the philosophy student, Tones gives an analogy that shows the need to avoid Pragmatism and to define your principles, and we close with our initial thoughts on Nietzsche (before discussing him further in Episode VI). Click here to Stream: philosurvivalguideep5 Click here if […]

We discuss a USA Today OpEd on Free Will, cleanup EpIII’s discussion on Epistemology, set up shop for future discussion on Ethics, and discuss Kierkegaard. Click here to Stream: philosurvivalguideep4 Click here if you prefer iTunes

We discuss New Years, continue our discussion on Metaphysics, and begin our Introduction To Epistemology. Click here to Stream: philosurvivalguideep3 Click here if you prefer iTunes

Rudolf = Jobs, Rainbow Fish = Gates??  Intro to Metaphysics Click here to stream: philosurvivalguideep2 Click here if you prefer iTunes