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):
➤ Dialectical inquiry • Hosts experts in philosophy and other subjects • Explores foundational questions • Combines intellectual exploration with playful elements • Engages with timeless philosophical concepts and contemporary issues"What Is X?" is a podcast that seeks to unravel the complexities of a wide array of philosophical and existential concepts. Hosted by Justin E. H. Smith and presented by The Point Magazine, this podcast envisions itself as a modern-day Socratic dialogue, where each episode dives into deep discussions around questions like "What is beauty?" or "What are dreams?" The show maintains a balance between dialectical inquiry and playful exploration, aiming to achieve either agreement, disagreement, or a philosophical impasse known as 'aporia.'
The content covers a broad spectrum of topics, ranging from fundamental philosophical inquiries, such as the nature of being, consciousness, and virtue, to more culturally embedded themes like money, punk, and friendship. The podcast does not shy away from challenging discussions on sensitive issues, including gender, slurs, and mental health, providing a platform for nuanced conversations. The episodes frequently address everyday concepts and phenomena, such as breakfast and humor, alongside profound subjects like love, war, and time, reflecting their transhistorical and cross-disciplinary relevance.
Justin E. H. Smith engages with guests who are experts in various fields, ranging from philosophers and academics to writers and critics, each bringing a unique perspective to the discussion. The show's format fosters a rigorous yet freewheeling inquiry into the episode's central question, often leaving listeners with thought-provoking insights or additional questions to ponder. Through its accessible highbrow style, "What Is X?" models rational inquiry in a new and engaging way, catering to truth-seekers and those curious about the philosophical underpinnings of everyday life and human experience.
| 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 |