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.

Bitzer's Idea of Constraints

Sep 8th, 2021 8m 23s

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

Bitzer's Rhetorical Theory: Exigence and Audience

Sep 6th, 2021 8m 51s

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

Bitzer's Rhetorical Situation part one

Sep 5th, 2021 9m 1s

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

Booth's Rhetorical Stance

Sep 4th, 2021 8m 1s

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 co

A quick look at Aristotle's Modes of Appeal

Sep 3rd, 2021 4m 16s

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

Rhetoric: an introduction

Sep 2nd, 2021 10m 36s

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.

Plotinus

Apr 4th, 2021 8m 6s

A quick look at the rational mysticism of Plotinus

Lucretius and Epicureanism

Apr 4th, 2021 12m 13s

A quick look at Epicureanism and the poetry of Lucretius.

Stoic Philosophy

Apr 4th, 2021 10m 4s

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

Plato's Phaedo: Part Two

Mar 14th, 2021 10m 19s

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 One

Mar 12th, 2021 17m 20s

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.

Plato's Euthyphro

Mar 5th, 2021 9m 41s

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

Plato: a basic introduction

Feb 24th, 2021 9m 28s

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

Socrates

Feb 19th, 2021 17m 24s

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

Arsitotle on the Soul (De Anima)

Jan 27th, 2021 12m 36s

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.

Substance in Aristotle's Meatphysics VII

Jan 25th, 2021 8m 33s

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.

Aristotle: Accounting for change in the world

Jan 14th, 2021 11m 27s

Aristotle introduces four causes (explanations) for change: material, formal, efficient, and final. These are easy to understand when applied to material constructions, but it is essential to understand how he applies them to living things.

Kant's Groundwork on a Metaphysics of Morals: Section 2

Dec 15th, 2020 9m 37s

In section 2 of his Grioundwork, Kant expands on some earlier themes, and introduces the idea of the Categorical Imperative.

Kant's Groundwork on Morals, Part one

Dec 7th, 2020 14m 8s

Kant takes the discussion of morality in a new direction, and challenges some central ideas of the Utilitarians. Happiness cannot be a guide to moral action. The only purely good thing in the world is a good will.

The background to Kant's Ethics

Dec 2nd, 2020 8m 10s

David Hume's empiricism rattled the bones of Kant. Hume's attack on causality and ethics pushed Kant to respond with two books: A Critique of Pure Reason & A Groundwork of a Metaphysics of Morals.

A quick note on ethical relativism

Nov 16th, 2020 5m 5s

Ethical relativism seems to pop up regularly in classes on ethical topics. It can become a huge distraction or digression from the topics at hand. I think it is ultimately a waste of time. If you are interested in following some of the argument