Philosophy for the People
Patrick Flynn
Show overview
Philosophy for the People has been publishing since 2022, and across the 4 years since has built a catalogue of 139 episodes. That works out to roughly 140 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a fortnightly cadence.
Episodes typically run thirty-five to sixty minutes — most land between 45 min and 1h 14m — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language Society & Culture show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 2 months ago, with 2 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2023, with 52 episodes published. Published by Patrick Flynn.
From the publisher
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.
Latest Episodes
View all 139 episodesWhy Thomism Still Matters w/ Dr. Gaven Kerr
Dr. Gaven Kerr returns to the podcast to discuss his recent editted volume Thomism Revisited: https://amzn.to/4m3Z4Jx For more philosophy content, head to Pat's Substack: https://journalofabsolutetruth.substack.com/
Aquinas's Five Ways Are Stronger Than You Think (w/ Dr. Rob Koons)
Dr. Robert Koons has two forthcoming books on Aquinas's Five Ways—one popular, one academic—so we spend this episode walking through how he understands and defends each of the Five Ways, and why they're far more philosophically interesting than they're usually given credit for. For more philosophy content, check out Pat's Substack at https://journalofabsolutetruth.substack.com/
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/
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
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/
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
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/
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/
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
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
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
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
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
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/
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/
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/
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/
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/
What Exactly Is a Brute Fact?
Let's talk about brute facts, baby! More on Substack: https://journalofabsolutetruth.substack.com/
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/