How do you define something that defies definition? That's the question Connor and Dan face down on this week of Drunken Philosophy as they discuss the anti-philosophy, pseudoscience, art movement known as 'Pataphysics (the apostrophe is on purpose). Founded by French avant garde writer Alfred Jarry, 'Pataphysics has continued to live on in the numerous artists and thinkers interested in exploring the world "beyond metaphysics." Hopefully Connor and Dan don't get lost there.

#223 - 'Pataphysics

Dan has a degree in Philosophy. Connor has a degree in High School. Together they have a bit of a drinking problem. Each week they explore the work of a new philosopher or a new philosophical idea and do their best to learn something before getting distracted.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

Comedy

A very special episode of Drunken Philosophy. 

#310.5 - Going On Hiatus

In addition to being the patron saint of cynicism, the ancient Greek philosopher Diogenes is basically the patron saint of Drunken Philosophy. He was famous for living in an overturned wine barrel on the streets of Athens and generally thumbing his nose at the educated citizens of that old world metropolis. This week, Connor and Dan investigate Diogenes' whole deal and see if he had anything worth while to say. 

#310 - Diogenes

This week, Connor and Dan break quarantine in order to venture into the land of make believe. It's thought experiment time! Should people be free to do harmless actions? What if they're really gross? What if I'm just trying to get to work and they're being really gross? These are the pressing questions answered on this week's episode (sort of). 

#309 - Liberty, Harm, and a Ride on the Bus

Are we approaching end times or just a monumentally shift in the way we understand the world? If you were to ask European poet, philosopher, and student of culture Jean Gebser he would emphatically say it was the latter. This week, Connor and Dan discuss Gebser's various structures of consciousness to see where we've been, where we are, and where we're going.

#308 - Jean Gebser, Structures of Consciousness

This episode is going to require some imagination, some creativity, and some intuition on the part of the listener. Connor and Dan aren't quite sure they understand what Henri Bergson is talking about, but they like the cut of his jib and they like the way he makes them feel. Sometimes that's good enough.

#223 - 'Pataphysics

Download our free app to listen on your phone