Why? Philosophical Discussions About Everyday Life

Series produced by Prairie Public

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A monthly philosophy show hosted by Dr. Jack Russell Weinstein that explores current everyday themes. Jack visits with guests who work in academic philosophy or whose professions are ideal for digging into the philosophical issues that affect everyday life.

The mission of "Why? Philosophical Discussions About Everyday Life" is to create a large-scale conversation between philosophical professionals and the general public. Even more so, however, the show was created to illustrate how day-to-day life is steeped in deep philosophical commitments and to provide a venue for exploration of those same commitments.

Each episode begins with a monologue-style discussion of current events as seen through a philosophical lens then features a discussion with the guest about their work and how it relates to general audiences.

Dr. Weinstein is a Professor of Philosophy at the University of North Dakota and the Director of the Institute for Philosophy in Public Life. He has had a career-long interest in public philosophy as well as long-term interest in radio. Why? is the combination of the two. He has authored two books, three edited collections and journal symposia, and over two dozen articles and reviews. He has contributed work for lay audiences to newspapers, magazines, and public radio. He lives in Grand Forks with his wife Kim, their daughter Adina, and their dog Mingus. Hide full description

The mission of "Why? Philosophical Discussions About Everyday Life" is to create a large-scale conversation between philosophical professionals and the general public. Even more so, however, the show was created to illustrate how day-to-day life is steeped in deep philosophical commitments and to provide a venue for exploration of those same commitments.Each episode begins with a monologue-style discussion of current events as seen through a philosophical lens then features a discussion with the guest about their work and how it relates to general audiences. Dr. Weinstein is a Professor of Philosophy at the University of North Dakota and the Director of the Institute for Philosophy in Public Life. He has had a career-long interest in public philosophy as well as long-term interest in... Show full description


76 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
Caption: Dr. Berit Brogaard, Credit: miami.edu
Host Jack Weinstein visits with Berit Brogaard, author of HATRED: Understanding Our Most Dangerous Emotion.

  • Added: Sep 11, 2020
  • Length: 53:59
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Host Jack Russell Weinstein visits with Thane Rosenbaum, novelist, essayist, and Distinguished University Professor. He is the director of the Foru...

  • Added: Jul 03, 2020
  • Length: 54:01
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Host Jack Russell Weinstein visits with Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett, authors of "The Spirit Level: Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do...

  • Added: Jun 24, 2020
  • Length: 53:59
Caption: Susan Palmer
Host Jack Russell Weinstein visits with sociologist Susan Palmer of Concordia University where she is an affiliate professor of religions and cultu...

  • Added: May 09, 2020
  • Length: 53:59
Caption: Lisa Herzog
Jack Russell Weinstein visits with Lisa Herzog, associate professor at the University of Groningen, as they explore the conflict between financial ...

  • Added: Feb 08, 2020
  • Length: 54:00
Caption: Adam Hosein, Credit: northeastern.edu
Jack Russell Weinstein visits with Adam Hosein, philosophy professor at Northeastern University in Boston. Hosein is the author of "The Ethics of M...

  • Added: Jan 23, 2020
  • Length: 54:01
Caption: Miranda Fricker, Credit: gc.cuny.edu
Host Jack Russell Weinstein visits with Miranda Fricker, Presidential Professor of Philosophy at the City University of New York Graduate Center.

  • Added: Oct 11, 2019
  • Length: 54:00
Caption: Robert Alter
Jack Russell Weinstein visits with Robert Alter, the world’s foremost Hebrew Scriptures scholar. He just released a new translation of the books of...

  • Added: Sep 05, 2019
  • Length: 54:00
Caption: Christina Bicchieri
Jack’s guest this month is Cristina Bicchieri, Professor of Social Thought and Comparative Ethics at the University of Pennsylvania.

  • Added: Jul 15, 2019
  • Length: 53:59
Caption: Cory Doctorow, Credit: eff.org
Host Jack Russell Weinstein visits with journalist, and science fiction author Cory Doctorow, who serves as co-editor of the Boing Boing blog.

  • Added: May 09, 2019
  • Length: 54:00
Caption: O'Connor and Weatherall
Host Jack Russell Weinstein visits with Cailin O’Connor and James Owen Weatherall, authors of "The Misinformation Age: How False Beliefs Spread." ...

  • Added: Apr 06, 2019
  • Length: 54:00
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Jack Russell Weinstein visits with Kim Donehower, professor of English at the University of North Dakota.

  • Added: Feb 02, 2019
  • Length: 54:01
Caption: Luke Hunt, Credit: radford.edu
Jack Russell Weinstein discusses police ethics with Luke Hunt of Radford University in Virginia.

  • Added: Dec 08, 2018
  • Length: 53:00
Caption: Talbert and Wolfendale
Host Jack Russell Weinstein visits with Matthew Talbert and Jessica Wolfendale, co-authors of the book, War Crimes: Causes, Excuses, and Blame.

  • Added: Nov 12, 2018
  • Length: 53:59
Caption: Derek Black, Credit: University of South Carolina
Host Jack Russell Weinstein visits with Derek Black, professor of law at the University of South Carolina

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  • Added: May 09, 2019
  • Length: 54:00
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Adam Kitzes, Credit: University of North Dakota
Jack Russell Weinstein previews this week’s episode of “WHY? Philosophical Discussions about Everyday Life. His guest this month is Adam Kitzes fro...

  • Added: Sep 10, 2018
  • Length: 54:00
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Host Jack Russell Weinstein visits with Eric Burin, University of North Dakota professor of history, for a discussion of the philosophical issues a...

  • Added: Jul 06, 2018
  • Length: 54:02
Caption: Jason Hill
Host Jack Russell Weinstein visits with Jason D. Hill, distinguished professor of philosophy at De Paul University in Chicago. He is the author of ...

  • Added: Jun 05, 2018
  • Length: 54:00
Caption: Kieran Setiya
The phrase “midlife crisis” has become a clichéd joke. It inspires images of men with sports cars and trophy wives. Yet, however much we make fun o...

  • Added: May 04, 2018
  • Length: 54:00
Caption: Al Gini
Host Jack Russell Weinstein visits with Al Gini, professor of business ethics at the Quinlan School of Business at Loyola University Chicago.

  • Added: Jan 17, 2018
  • Length: 54:00