Explore every episode of the podcast Philosophy for the People

Dr. W. Matthews Grant—one of my greatest philosophical inspirations—served as an external examiner for my dissertation defense. Apparently, he didn't beat me up enough the first time, so he returned to the podcast to finish the job. (Okay, it wasn't really that combative. He just wanted to continue our conversation about the dissertation. : ) This was a fun, productive, and wide-ranging discussion. We get into divine simplicity (obviously), God as the ultimate foundation of reality, the principle of sufficient reason, epistemology, metaethics, and more. Consider this Dissertation Defense, Part II. ; )

For more philosophy content, head over to my Substack at https://journalofabsolutetruth.substack.com/

Pat is interviewed by Jake Buscher about his disseration (and other things). 

Pat and Ethan discuss Hell. 

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/ 

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/ 

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/ 

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 

Dr. Mark Spencer returns to the podcast to discuss natural theology. 

Head to Pat's Substack for more: https://journalofabsolutetruth.substack.com/ 

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

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/ 

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/ 

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 

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 

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

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 

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

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/ 

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/ 

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/ 

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/ 

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/ 

Let's talk about brute facts, baby!

More on Substack: https://journalofabsolutetruth.substack.com/ 

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/

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/ 

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/ 

Pat is joined by Dr. Kenneth Pearce to discuss some of his recent work related to metaphysical grounding, contingency, and the existence of God.

Head to Pat's Substack for more philosophy content: https://journalofabsolutetruth.substack.com/ 

Pat and Gaven discuss cool things, like Aquinas's theory of existence and how God knows He's not a brain in a vat.

More on Pat's Substack - https://journalofabsolutetruth.substack.com/  

Pat is joined by Perry to discuss his work on Skeptical Theism.

https://www.perryhendricks.com/ 

Pat is joined by Matthew Adelstein to discuss some of their (current) favorite arguments for God. 

Pat is joined by Jack Boczar to discuss his forthcoming paper, Existential Inertia and Thomistic Esse. 

Jack has published on Aquinas and Augustine and is currently working on medieval metaphysics. His PhilPeople page can be accessed here: 

Pat talks with Joshua Sijuwade about his new book Analytic Theism.

If you like this conversation, please comment, share, and subscribe.

For more philosophy content, check out Pat's Substack: https://chroniclesofstrength.substack.com/ 

Pat is joined by Dr. Kyle Keltz  to discuss some of his recent work on the problem of evil with respect  to animal suffering. Also, to announce a new volume on the problem of animal suffering that Dr. Keltz is editting and that Pat is contributing to. 

Dr. Gavin Ortlund recently debated Dr. Ryan Mullins on divine simplicity. After, John DeRosa hosted Gavin and myself for a bit of a debrief and extended conversation on the topic. Here's the replay, from John's Classical Theism podcast.

Pat is joined by Fr. Thomas Joseph White to discuss some of the contents of his recent book Principles of Catholic Theology, Book 2: On the Rational Credibility of Christianity

https://amzn.to/4dgsn78 

This converation was originally hosted for the Mind Matters podcast, but is now being shared here. 

This episode -- focusing on classical theism, divine simplicity, and ultimate explanation -- is a special replay of a conversation with Dr. Christopher Tomaszewski as featured on The Classical Theism Podcast. Pat appears toward the end to engage Chris on what resources (if any) classical theism might afford to meta-epistemology.

Check out John's Classical Theism Podcast (it's one of the best) and consider supporting him on Patreon: https://www.classicaltheism.com/support 

Dr. Stephen Napier returns to Philosophy for the People to discuss his recent publication in response to the problem of divine hiddenness: Is There Non-Resistant Non-Belief?

 https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/religious-studies/article/is-there-nonresistant-nonbelief/21F4527C7306B350D49B46E2CB8BDDD0

PS - Sorry for the "beeping" noise throughout. Is what it is.

Gaven takes listener questions on philosophy, theology, and how to get published. 

Please enjoy this conversation exploring substance dualism. Subscribe if you want. Or not! 

Come hang with Dr. Gaven Kerr as we chat Scripture and Metaphysics.

PS - Check out Pat's new book The Best Argument for God: https://amzn.to/48fhsYb 

Dr. Mark Spencer has a new Element out called Catholicism and the Problem of God. In this episode, we explore some of the contents of that book, including the apparent tensions that arise between Catholic claims concerning God and philosophy of God, or features of God and features of the world (i.e., problem of evil). 

For more, check out Pat's philosophy Substack: https://chroniclesofstrength.substack.com

Also, Pat's book The Best Argument for God: https://amzn.to/3RFm8Ra 

Fr. James Dominic Rooney returns to Philosophy for the People to discuss his recent critique of panentheism. If you like the video, hit like and subscribe to Philosophy for the People for more!

 More Resources: Pat's philosophy Substack: https://chroniclesofstrength.substack.com/

Pat's book The Best Argument for God: https://amzn.to/3QHzf2N 

Pat offers a brief introduction to the logical problem -- or better, logical argument -- from evil (against the existence of God).

👉 More Resources:

Pat's philosophy Substack: https://chroniclesofstrength.substack.com/  

Pat's book The Best Argument for God: https://amzn.to/3QRBHDP 

Pat and Jim offer a brief history of the problem of evil, highlighting how this philosophical challenge to the existence of God, and various responses to it, have evolved over time. Share your thoughts on today's conversation below.

All comments and perspectives welcome, just keep it courteous! If you like the video, hit like and subscribe to Philosophy for the People for more!

👉 More Resources:

Pat's philosophy Substack: https://chroniclesofstrength.substack.com/

Pat's book The Best Argument for God: https://amzn.to/3QRBHDP 

Most of us strongly assume that knowing is valuable. Moreover, that it is valuable to come to truth truth apart from instances of luck. Why? Can we give a good philosophical accounts of this? Dr. Fuqua argues we can, in his recent article "Proper Functionalism, Perfectionism, and the Epistemic Value Problem." That is what we discuss today!

More Resources:

Pat's philosophy Substack: https://chroniclesofstrength.substack.com/ 

Pat's book The Best Argument for God: https://amzn.to/3QRBHDP 

Whether you're new to philosophy or looking to deepen your understanding, this video is your guide to tackling philosophical texts with confidence. In this episode, Pat offers tips on everything from having the right mindset when engaging philosophical texts to practical approaches for absorbing the most from them. 

More Resources:

Pat's philosophy Substack: https://chroniclesofstrength.substack.com/ 

Pat's book The Best Argument for God: https://amzn.to/47Djn89 

Welcome to Philosophy for the People, where deep thinking meets practical insight. In this episode, we delve into the fundamental nature of philosophy and its significance in our daily lives. Our discussions aim to illuminate how philosophical thinking shapes our understanding of the world. If you find value in our content, please support us by liking this video and subscribing to our channel. We encourage you to join the conversation by commenting below: What got YOU interested in philosophy? 

For more philosophy action, head to Pat's Substack: https://chroniclesofstrength.substack.com/ 

Also, check out Pat's new book The Best Argument for God: https://amzn.to/3QFrHxt 

Dive into the ancient wisdom of Aristotle as we unravel the mysteries of existence with his theory of the Four Causes. In this brief (but hopefully enlightening!) video, we'll explore the fundamental questions that have captivated thinkers for centuries: What is the essence of being? Why do things occur the way they do? Aristotle's answers lie in his Four Causes – Material, Formal, Efficient, and Final. These causes offer a timeless framework that has shaped philosophical thought and our understanding of the world around us. Don't forget to hit 'Like' if you find Aristotle as fascinating as we do, and 'Comment' with your thoughts or questions to join the conversation. Finally, if you're eager for more philosophical explorations, make sure to 'Subscribe' to our channel and turn on notifications to never miss a discussion.

MORE RESOURCES Subscribe to Pat's "Journal of Absolute Truth" philosophy Substack at https://chroniclesofstrength.substack.com/ 

And if you're into philosophy of religion, check out Pat's new book The Best Argument for God: https://amzn.to/467wXQd 

Dr. Gaven Kerr returns to Philosophy for the People to discuss the (surprising) harmonies between Thomism and Kantianism concerning theories of knowledge and mind-world relations.

Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe! 

PS - Check out Pat's new book The Best Argument for God at: https://amzn.to/47lhEnX 

In today's episode, we examine the two-sense theory of existence, and confront one of the paradoxes purported to afflict the commonsense view of existence, where existence is taken to be attribute of individuals. Comment below with your thoughts, questions, or the next philosophical enigma you want us to unravel.

Don't forget to hit like, subscribe, and ring the bell to join our community of thinkers and stay updated with our weekly explorations into philosophy. Your support helps us bring philosophy to the people and makes our content more discoverable for others seeking answers to life's big questions.

PS - Check out Pat's  new book The Best Argument for God: https://amzn.to/46WtK79