The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast

Concluding our treatment of The Sources of Normativity. We give Korsgaard's tweaks to Kant, including her distinction between the categorical imperative and the moral law. We then explain her reference to Wittgenstein's private language argument in her argument that reason-giving, and hence morality, can't be merely self-referential. Get more at partiallyexaminedlife.com [https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/]. Visit partiallyexaminedlife.com/support [https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/support] to get ad-free episodes and tons of bonus discussion, including a supporter-exclusive Nightcap comparing Korsgaard to Foot. Sponsors: Visit functionhealth.com/PEL [https://functionhealth.com/PEL] to get the data you need to take action for your health. Get a $1/month e-commerce trial at shopify.com/pel. [https://shopify.com/pel] Learn about Mark's online political philosophy class at partiallyexaminedlife.com/class [https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/fall-2025-political-philosophy/].

Not only is John a multi-instrumentalist who's played with Violent Femmes, Allen Ginsberg, Hal Willner, John Prine, et al, but he's released around 24 albums as a solo artist or with groups including the NYC world music outfit TriBeCaStan. We discuss "(Be Careful What You Say to) An Armed Lady" by Folklorkestra from A Strange Day in June (2023), the title track from Forever Ago (with La Societe; del Musici) (2018), "Bed Bugs" by TriBeCaStan from New Deli (2012), and listen to "Back Country" by The Electric Chairmen from Toast (1995). Intro: "Grim Reaper’s Song" from Midnight Snack (1986). More at kruthworks.com [https://kruthworks.com/]. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music [http://nakedlyexaminedmusic.com]. Support us on Patreon [http://patreon.com/nakedlyexaminedmusic]. Sponsor: Visit functionhealth.com/NAKEDLY [https://functionhealth.com/NAKEDLY] to take control of your health through testing and get $100 off your membership.

On lectures 3 and 4 of The Sources of Normativity (1996), where we get Korsgaard's positive view on how morality becomes obligatory for an individual, which has to do with identity, reason-giving, and our fundamentally social nature. And yet, her view is an interpretation of Kant! Get more at partiallyexaminedlife.com [https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/]. Visit partiallyexaminedlife.com/support [https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/support] to get ad-free episodes and tons of bonus discussion. Sponsors: Don't wait until the next bite—protect your home with Bzigo. Go to bzigo.com/discount/BUZZ10 [https://bzigo.com/discount/BUZZ10] to save 10%. Visit functionhealth.com/PEL [https://functionhealth.com/PEL] to get the data you need to take action for your health. Learn about Mark's online political philosophy class at partiallyexaminedlife.com/class [https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/fall-2025-political-philosophy/].

Mark Schiff is a legendary stand-up who currently podcasts with friend-of-PEL [https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/?s=lobell] and philosophy enthusiast [https://www.moderndayphilosophers.com/], Daniel Lobell as We Think It's Funny [https://wethinkitsfunny.com/]. These gents join Mark and Bill to talk about stand-up vs. improv, comedy LPs, waterless urinals, bad press, the path to enlightenment, and how to get rid of syphilis. We run a scene on hiring entertainment for the company party, and engage in some riffs that can only be called improv. Hear more at philosophyimprov.com [http://philosophyimprov.com/]. Support the podcast and listen ad-free at philosophyimprov.com/support [https://philosophyimprov.com/support]. Sponsor: Go to surfshark.com/improv [https://surfshark.com/improv] or use code IMPROV at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!

We dive further into the text of lectures 1 and 2 of The Sources of Normativity (1996). We give Korsgaard's account of the idea of reflective endorsement through Hume and Bernard Williams to get to her own view. When you come to know the origins of your moral sentiments, do you still stand behind them? Get more at partiallyexaminedlife.com [https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/]. Visit partiallyexaminedlife.com/support [https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/support] to get ad-free episodes and tons of bonus discussion. Learn more about Mark's fall online political philosophy class at partiallyexaminedlife.com/class [https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/fall-2025-political-philosophy/]. Sponsor: Visit functionhealth.com/PEL [https://functionhealth.com/PEL] to get the data you need to take action for your health.