Philosophy for the People

Philosophy for the People's mission is an educational program aimed at overcoming the paucity of serious, fair-minded, and accessible philosophical discourse available to a popular audience. Though we are ourselves dedicated to the Catholic intellectual tradition, we are likewise committed to exploring ideas from all rigorous traditions of philosophizing (scholastic, classical, analytic, and phenomenological). We pursue this mission by providing long-form guided readings of great texts, discussions with expert guests, our own open-ended philosophical discussions of issues and thinkers, live question and answer opportunities, in depth lecture courses, and our own articles and book-length writings. Philosophy for the People's pedagogical materials will be provided either without charge or for minimal cost to assure provision of broad access to first-rate philosophical education.

Can Evolution Fit With Christianity? Dr. Tim Pawl Says Yes.

Pat talks with philosopher Dr. Tim Pawl, author of Jesus and the Genome, about the theological and philosophical challenges raised by evolutionary biology and how Christians can think clearly about them. Jesus and the Genome: https://amzn.to/4il5Ys8 Tim on Substack: https://pawlineepistles.substack.com/  Pat on Substack: https://journalofabsolutetruth.substack.com/ 

11-25
01:18:41

Did the Church Change Her Mind on the Death Penalty? (Catholics Debate the Death Penalty)

Pat is joined by Suan Sonna and Daniel Vecchio to discuss recent controversies related to capital punishment and magisterial teaching. Pat's Substack article: https://journalofabsolutetruth.substack.com/p/an-intelligent-catholics-guide-to Ed Feser's article: https://edwardfeser.blogspot.com/2025/10/fastiggi-and-sonna-on-catholicism-and.html 

10-16
02:12:56

Does God Exist? Contingency, Beauty, and Evil | Dr. Mark Spencer

Dr. Mark Spencer returns to the podcast to discuss natural theology.  Head to Pat's Substack for more: https://journalofabsolutetruth.substack.com/ 

08-21
58:16

Bible Basics w/ John Derosa

John DeRosa is launching an online Bible Workshop--and you should join! Here's the link: https://classical-theism-podcast.aweb.page/p/3e983115-1a58-48ed-a9cc-e5b9ef419c28

08-18
45:35

John Henry Newman on Common Sense, Faith, and Epistemology | w/ Dr. Logan Paul Gage

Dr. Logan Paul Gage joins Pat for a conversation on the thought of John Henry Newman—soon to be declared a Doctor of the Church—with a special focus on his commonsense epistemology and how it compares to modern epistemological projects. For more philosophy content, head to Pat's Substack: https://journalofabsolutetruth.substack.com/ 

08-01
01:04:13

Philosophy and the Interpretation of Scripture w/ Dr. Gaven Kerr

Dr. Gaven Kerr returns to Philosophy for the People to discuss another recent article of his: Primary Causality, Providence, and Scripture. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/new-blackfriars/article/abs/primary-causality-providence-and-scripture/4A69C86C7310F54F7D413FC6261EBE06 Please like, share, comment, and subscribe! For more philosophy content, see https://journalofabsolutetruth.substack.com/ 

07-21
01:04:55

The Nature and Conditions of Knowledge w/ Dr. Gaven Kerr

Dr. Gaven Kerr returns to Philosophy for the People to discuss Thomistic epistemology and cognitional theory. We discuss the metaphysics of knowledge, proper functionalism, error theory, whether Aquinas was an externalist, and more. Please like, share, and subscribe! For more philosophy content, head to Pat's Substack: https://journalofabsolutetruth.substack.com/  Check out Pat's book The Best Argument for God here: https://www.amazon.com/Best-Argument-God-Patrick-Flynn/dp/1644137801 

07-14
01:05:38

Establishing the Real Distinction w/ Dr. Gaven Kerr

Gaven Kerr returns to Philosophy for the People to discuss some of the recent work he's been doing with respect to the Thomistic understanding of existence. For most philosophy content, check out Pat's Substack: https://streamyard.com/72mnfcbg7j 

07-07
44:50

Do Muslims and Christians Worship the Same God? w/ Tomas Bogardus

Pat is joined by Dr. Tomas Bogardus to discuss the question of whether Muslims and Christians worship the same God. We chat philosophy of language, including different theories of reference (descriptivism, causal theories, etc.) and how the occurrence of reference drift can make answering this questions somewhat difficult! For more philosophy content, head to Pat's Substack: hps://journalofabsolutetruth.substack.com

07-02
01:30:41

Analyzing (Some of) Jordan Peterson's Claims

In this episode, Pat and Mike respond to Jordan Peterson's recent appearance on Surrounded. For more undoubtedly awesome philosophy content, head to Pat's Sbstack at https://substack.com/@journalofabsolutetruth 

06-23
57:19

Flynn & DeRosa Respond to Dr. Brett Weinstein on Creation & Evolution

This episode is a replay from John DeRosa's Classical Theism Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/classical-theism-podcast/id1432200694 

06-02
53:00

1 philosopher everyone should read

Pat and Mike discuss one particular philosopher everyone should read (that isn't Plato, lol). For more philosophy content see Pat's substack at https://journalofabsolutetruth.substack.com/ 

05-21
32:03

talking arguments for God (w/ Mike Schramm)

Pat  introduces Mike Schramm, new associate  editor for The Journal of Absolute Truth. They then  discuss the state of some argumetns for God. https://journalofabsolutetruth.substack.com/ 

05-12
42:53

The Philosophy of Freud (Part 1)

Pat and Jim begin a new series on Freud. Live QnA at the end! More philosophy content on Pat's Substack: https://journalofabsolutetruth.substack.com/ 

01-13
50:49

Our Favorite Philosophy Books of 2024 (Plus Live QnA)

Pat and Jim do a year in review, including discussing some of their favorite books. Also, live QnA at the end. Head to Pat's Substack for more philosophy content: https://journalofabsolutetruth.substack.com/ 

01-06
01:05:01

Divine Hiddenness and Dogmatic Authority w/ Fr. James Dominic Rooney

Fr. James Dominic Rooney returns to the podcast to discuss some of his recent work on divine hiddenness and dogmatic authority (two distinct topics!). For more philosophy content, check out Pat's Substack: https://journalofabsolutetruth.substack.com/ 

12-10
55:06

What Exactly Is a Brute Fact?

Let's talk about brute facts, baby! More on Substack: https://journalofabsolutetruth.substack.com/ 

12-09
12:01

Boethius, the Good, and Philosophy as Therapy w/ Dr. Tom Ward

Pat is joined once again by Dr. Thomas Ward, this time to discuss his recent book After Stoicism: The Last Words of the Last Roman Philosopher. You can check out his new book (which I highly recommend) here: https://bookstore.wordonfire.org/products/after-stoicism?srsltid=AfmBOoq8MR4WeWFZ8S75xXQ5Cxc_uzDN96t1wXRCQlGxvT0oEhwOrxot For more philosophy content, subscribe to Pat's Substack: https://journalofabsolutetruth.substack.com/  

10-28
01:02:00

Ratzinger's Notion of Person: a Thomistic Response w/ Dr. Gaven Kerr

Pat is joined by Dr. Gaven Kerr to explore the notion of personhood from a Thomistic perspective. This builds on Dr. Kerr's recent lecture Ratzinger's Notion of Person in Theology: a Thomistic Response. For more philosophy content, head to Pat's Substack: https://journalofabsolutetruth.substack.com/ 

10-20
01:20:55

Thomistic Metaphysics: an Introduction w/ Dr. Michael Gorman

Dr. Michael Gorman has authored an excellent new book: A Contemporary Introduction to Thomistic Metaphysics. In this episode, Pat interviews Dr. Gorman about some of the contents of that book, including how Aquinas thinks about composition, fundamentality, and God. To order the book: https://amzn.to/3BmsGP1 For more philosophy content, head to Pat's Substack: https://journalofabsolutetruth.substack.com/ 

10-02
01:02:46

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