The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast

Ep. 383: Freud on Love and the Primal Horde (Part One)

On the second half of Group Psychology and the Analysis of the Ego. We talk about the dual origins of group membership for Freud in personal love and in the supposed primitive society where a horde was led by a tyrannical father. 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. Sponsor: Visit functionhealth.com/PEL [https://functionhealth.com/PEL] to get the data you need to take action for your health. Last chance! You can still sign up now for Mark's Big Books in Continental Philosophy online class. See partiallyexaminedlife.com/class [https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/class].

PEL Presents PvI#109: Choose Your Own Failure w/ Rich Baker

Rich [https://richbakercoaching.godaddysites.com/] runs the Dare to Fail [https://linktr.ee/daretofailimprov] improv school and is author of Improv Made Easier. He joins Mark and Mary to discuss contexts of failure, failing to meet your goals vs. "objective failure," how to react in an improv scene to some topic that's too offensive for you, graveyard humor vs. reverence. Featuring Steaks You Deserve, Robo-Carson, cancer torture, interactive cemetery, Sounds of Failure, and open-sourced MST3K. Hear more at philosophyimprov.com [http://philosophyimprov.com/]. Support the podcast and listen ad-free at philosophyimprov.com/support [https://philosophyimprov.com/support]. Sponsor: Visit squarespace.com/LINSENMAYER [https://squarespace.com/LINSENMAYER] (code LINSENMAYER) for a free trial and 10% off your first website or domain.

PEL 2026 Kickoff Nightcap

It's another year, and this time we each came in with a short bucket list of philosophical works that we'd like to read before this podcast concludes, whenever that might be. 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. Sponsor: Get a $1/month e-commerce trial at shopify.com/pel. [https://shopify.com/pel] It's time to enroll in Mark's spring Big Books in Continental Philosophy Class! Learn more at partiallyexaminedlife.com/class [https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/class].

Ep. 382: Freud on Group Psychology (Part Two)

Continuing on the first half of Sigmund Freud's Group Psychology and the Analysis of the Ego, now getting really into Freud's own type of explanation, whereby he explains how libidinal ties bind group members, typically via their shared love of a leader or leading idea. 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. Sponsor: Make a tax deductible donation at GiveWell.org [http://givewell.org]; pick "podcast" and enter "The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast" at checkout. Interested in Mark's spring Continental Philosophy class? Learn more and reserve your spot at partiallyexaminedlife.com/class [https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/class].

PEL Presents PvI#108: Guess Who's Coming to Christmas Dinner... Lawrence Ware!

Philosopher/writer/critic/podcaster Lawrence Ware returns to the show to meet Mary and talk about how Mark is his own personal Leroy Jesus. We act out and/or discuss orphan greeting cards, face-to-face instruction vs. writing books, imaginary friends, laugh trumpets, black ice, and is aesthetic judgment (especially of yourself) a mistake? Hear more at philosophyimprov.com [http://philosophyimprov.com/]. Support the podcast and listen ad-free at philosophyimprov.com/support [https://philosophyimprov.com/support]. Sponsor: Get the holiday deal (up to 50% off!) at MasterClass.com/IMPROV [https://masterclass.com/IMPROV]. Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at rula.com/improv [https://www.rula.com/improv/].