Site • RSS • Apple PodcastsDescription (podcaster-provided):
“What Is X?” has been described as “a cross between a Platonic dialogue and ‘The Price Is Right.’” It combines dialectical inquiry of the sort perfected by Socrates and his interlocutors with a distinctly ludic spirit. Here’s how it works: For each episode, host Justin E. H. Smith invites on a guest distinguished in their field (or occasionally a “regular” person who really likes to talk). Smith asks the guest to answer a question of the form “What is X?” (for example, “What is beauty?” “What is nature?” “What are dreams?”), after which the two partners in dialogue undertake a Socratic inquiry into the nature of X, in search of a definition that satisfies both of them. There are three possible outcomes: agreement, disagreement, and aporia (Greek for “dead end”), each with its own sound effect: if we arrive at agreement, a church bell will chime; disagreement is signaled by a bleating goat; if aporia is the best we can do, we will hear naught but a gust of wind. Rigorous but freewheeling, fun and serious at once, accessibly highbrow, these conversations model rational inquiry in a new way, providing answers for truth-seekers... or perhaps just more questions. /// Host: Justin E.H. Smith (justinehsmith.substack.com) /// Presented by The Point Magazine (thepointmag.com)Themes and summary (AI-generated based on podcaster-provided show and episode descriptions):
➤ Socratic inquiry • Philosophical concepts • Definitions of abstract ideas • Rational dialogue • Contemporary topics • Diverse themes: love, money, war, consciousness, art, gender, humor, history, memory, dreams"What Is X?" is a podcast that explores a diverse array of philosophical questions, blending the rigorous inquiry typical of Socratic dialogues with a playful and accessible approach. Hosted by Justin E.H. Smith, the podcast features in-depth conversations with guests from various fields, examining fundamental and abstract concepts as well as everyday subjects. Each episode poses a question of the form "What is X?"—ranging from existential inquiries like "What is being?" or "What is consciousness?" to more tangible topics like "What is money?" or "What is breakfast?"
The episodes delve into philosophical ideas, exploring different perspectives and challenging assumptions. Discussions are not limited to traditional philosophical topics; they also include cultural, social, and even mundane themes, illustrating how philosophical inquiry can permeate all aspects of life. Throughout the podcast, the aim is to foster a dialectical examination that may lead to agreement, disagreement, or a state of aporia—a philosophical dead end—each marked by its own symbolic sound effect.
Just as much as the topics themselves, this podcast emphasizes the process of exploration and the value of dialogue. It invites listeners to engage with complex ideas in a way that is both intellectually stimulating and entertaining. By addressing questions that often lack clear or definitive answers, the podcast encourages a reflection on the nature of knowledge, understanding, and human experience, revealing the richness of philosophical inquiry and its relevance to both grand and ordinary questions. Through these conversations, "What Is X?" serves as a bridge connecting philosophical theory to real-world concerns and curiosities.
| Episodes: |
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What Is Being? | Kris McDaniel 2022-Dec-14 55 minutes |
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What Is Money? | Joseph Tinguely 2022-Nov-15 59 minutes |
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What Is Breakfast? | Seb Emina 2022-Oct-14 63 minutes |
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What Are Numbers? | Michael Harris 2022-Sep-15 62 minutes |
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What Is Punk? | Joseph M. Keegin 2022-Aug-15 85 minutes |
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What Is War? | Vladislav Davidzon 2022-Jul-15 62 minutes |
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What Is Authorship? | Jonathan Egid 2022-Jun-14 70 minutes |
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What Is Time? | Emily Thomas 2022-Jun-01 58 minutes |
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What Are Conspiracy Theories? | Sam Kriss 2022-May-01 87 minutes |
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What Is Humor? | Luvell Anderson 2022-Apr-16 66 minutes |
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What Is Friendship? | S. Abbas Raza 2022-Apr-01 57 minutes |
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What Is Consciousness? | Eric Schwitzgebel 2022-Mar-15 69 minutes |
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What Is Virtue? | Jennifer Frey 2022-Mar-02 73 minutes |
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What Is Love? | Dominic Pettman 2022-Feb-14 64 minutes |
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What Is Gender? | Robin Dembroff 2022-Feb-01 58 minutes |
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What Are Slurs? | Jason Stanley 2022-Jan-16 59 minutes |
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What Is Criticism | Ryan Ruby 2022-Jan-01 61 minutes |
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What Is History? | D. Graham Burnett 2021-Dec-14 62 minutes |
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What Is Art? | Becca Rothfeld 2021-Nov-30 41 minutes |
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What Is Memory? | Julian Lucas 2021-Nov-15 58 minutes |
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What Is Matter? | Sean Carroll 2021-Nov-01 61 minutes |
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What Is Mental Health? | Danielle Carr 2021-Oct-21 65 minutes |
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What Is Poetry? | Jeff Dolven 2021-Oct-01 54 minutes |
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What Are Dreams? | Matthew Spellberg 2021-Sep-01 62 minutes |
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What Is Philosophy? | Agnes Callard 2021-Jul-31 62 minutes |