Unsolicited advice
Unsolicited advice
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Unsolicited Advice is a podcast that offers philosophical perspectives intended to be helpful in everyday life. The host shares ideas and frameworks that listeners can apply as they see fit. Its approach is practical rather than academic, encouraging people to take what works for them and leave the rest. The show is produced in English for a general audience.
Epizódok
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Is God Evil? 28.09.2026 33pHead to https://squarespace.com/unsolicitedadvice to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code unsolicitedadviceThe Problem of Evil is one of those questions that has stayed with philosophers and philosophy as a whole for millennia. It can be summed up in a single statement: why would an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-loving God allow evil to exist in the world? And this all raises one question: is God evil?Support me on Patreon here (you wonderful person): https://patreon.com/UnsolicitedAdvice701?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_linkSign up to my email list for more philosophy to improve your life: https://forms.gle/YYfaCaiQw9r6YfkN700:00 Theodicy and Theology01:58 The Problem(s) of Evil07:11 Good Beyond Pleasure and Evil Beyond Pain12:14 Divine Command Theory18:31 The Incomprehensibility of God Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
No, not all relationships are transactional 28.09.2026 55pLearn for free on Brilliant for a full 30 days: https://brilliant.org/Unsolicitedadvice/ . You’ll also get 20% off an annual Premium subscriptionI am often told that "all relationships are transactional". I think this is not only a lie, but a pernicious lie, and here is exactly how I respond to it. Moreover, the popularity of this phrase points to a wider set of cynical attitudes that have gripped our collective psyche, and I want to unpack them.Support me on Patreon here (you lovely person): https://patreon.com/UnsolicitedAdvice701?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_linkSubscribe to my Substack here for more of my writings: https://josephfolley.substack.com/00:00 The Presumption of Transaction12:14 Egoism and the Self-Fulfilling Prophecy21:52 The Seduction of Cynicism34:49 Cynicism within LimitsThis video is sponsored by Brilliant Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Reacting to your HOTTEST book takes 28.09.2026 52pHead to https://squarespace.com/unsolicitedadvice to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code UNSOLICITEDADVICEI love a hot takes video. We have done a few about philosophy, but I am interested to see your hottest takes on literature, and books more generally. There are some really spicy ones here, and I'm looking forward to reading them.Support me on Patreon here (you lovely person): https://patreon.com/UnsolicitedAdvice701?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_linkSubscribe to my Substack here for more of my writings: https://josephfolley.substack.com/00:00 Literature is Just Content10:31 Audiobooks Don't Count15:11 Intention and Interpretation26:50 Movies are Better than Books34:42 Modern Books are Bad38:35 We care too much about relatability Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Why Nietzsche HATED Religion 28.09.2026 35pThis is an old video on Nietzsche and does not really reflect my current views on him. Sorry about that.There has been increasing discourse online about the concept of a "Christian Revival" or otherwise a general religious revival. And I find this very interesting because almost exactly the same debate took place over the course of the 19th century. And chief among the critics of religion as an answer to nihilism was the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. So it is worth hearing him out - even if we end up disagreeing with him. Let's find out if a religious revival is really the answer.Support me on Patreon here (you wonderful person you): https://patreon.com/UnsolicitedAdvice701?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_linkSign up to my email list for more philosophy to improve your life: https://forms.gle/YYfaCaiQw9r6YfkN700:00 Religious Revival - A Dilemma01:48 Lived Religion07:05 Religion and Nihilism: A False Dichotomy14:08 Religious Authority and its Critics21:11 Nihilism and The Will Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
The Most Hated Philosophers in History | The Sophists 28.09.2026 58pThe Sophists are potentially the most hated philosophers in history. But as far as I can tell, this is based on a series of misunderstandings and misrepresentations. When we look at the existing evidence in more detail, what is instead revealed are a group of interesting and original thinkers. So here is my sophist apologia. I hope you enjoy it.Support me on Patreon here (you lovely person): https://patreon.com/UnsolicitedAdvice701?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_linkSubscribe to my Substack here for more of my writings: https://josephfolley.substack.com/00:00 The Villainous Sophist07:50 Arguments Leading Nowhere24:27 Corrupting the Youth36:30 Man is the Measure of All Things45:00 What to do about the Sophists Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Why You Hate Modern Work 28.09.2026 32pWhy do we all hate work so much? And why does it seem to have only got worse in the modern era? Well, according to philosopher Byung-Chul Han, our psychological attitude towards work and productivity has fundamentally shifted in a disastrous direction for our mental health, our happiness, and our long-term fulfilment.Support me on Patreon here (you wonderful person): https://patreon.com/UnsolicitedAdvice701?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_linkSign up to my email list for more philosophy to improve your life: https://forms.gle/YYfaCaiQw9r6YfkN700:00 The Burnout Society01:27 Discipline and Achievement08:07 Isolation and Individualism14:53 No Rest for the Wicked20:33 Means, Ends, and Self-Hatred Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Debating William Lane Craig, Philip Goff, and Jessica Frazier on God and Morality 28.09.2026 1ó 51pEarlier this year I had the absolute privilege of sitting down with some enormously clever people and talking about God, goodness, and meaning, and I am delighted to share it with you now. Thank you to Premier Unbelievable for filming it and for allowing me to post it here.Support me on Patreon here (you lovely person): https://patreon.com/UnsolicitedAdvice701?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_linkSubscribe to my Substack here for more of my writings: https://josephfolley.substack.com/0:00 The Story of Everything1:00 William Lane Craig: Where Did Reality Come From?5:34 Can Life Have Meaning Without God?10:07 Hinduism, God and the Universe14:57 Philip Goff’s Mystical Experience24:04 Craig Challenges Goff on Mystical Experience27:38 Does Meaning Need God?45:04 Creation, Brahman and Christian Theism51:05 Is God Separate From the Universe?1:00:02 Good, Evil and Ultimate Reality1:14:38 Have We Moved Beyond Objective Meaning? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
The Problem with Modern Love 28.09.2026 1ó 4pHead to https://squarespace.com/unsolicitedadvice to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code unsolicitedadviceIt seems like there is only one thing everyone can agree on at the moment - there is something wrong with modern love. Though people may disagree with exactly what it is or what the solutions might be, no one is happy, and everyone has a bone to pick. So I hope you'll join me in exploring the philosophy behind the problem with modern love.LINKS AND CORRECTIONSSupport me on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/UnsolicitedAdvice701?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_linkSign up to my email list for more philosophy to improve your life: https://forms.gle/YYfaCaiQw9r6YfkN700:00 The State of Love02:36 The Terrifying Power of Love08:28 Lofty Expectations14:59 The Cult of Eros22:02 The Mysteries of Compatibility27:45 The Aesthetic Stage of Love33:24 The Terror of Beauty39:30 The Expectation of Self-Love46:07 Dissonance and Harmony53:05 Romantic Nihilism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
The War On The Humanities 28.09.2026 53pIt is no secret that the humanities are under threat. This is for many reasons, but among them is the idea that the humanities are "useless". But at the same time, I am a bit dissatisfied with many of the ways we currently defend these fields. So today we re going to look at the war on the humanities, using Eric Adler's book "The Battle Of The Classics".Support me on Patreon here (you lovely person): https://patreon.com/UnsolicitedAdvice701?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_linkSubscribe to my Substack here for more of my writings: https://josephfolley.substack.com/00:00 The Decline and Fall of the Humanities07:48 Critical Thinking is Not Enough15:57 What's the Point of The Humanities?24:27 How to Actually Defend the Humanities37:14 A Defence in Practice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
How a Society Collapses 27.09.2026 35pThe first 500 people to use my link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare https://skl.sh/unsolicitedadvice08241Among the work of Albert Camus, there is one work that stands out as the bleakest story he has ever written. The Plague documents a pestilence that devours the town of Oran in French Algeria. It is a disturbing tale that explores the depths of human despair, as well as the heights of heroism that can thrive under the worst possible conditions. So let's explore how the world collapses, at the behest of a ruthless plague.Support me on Patreon here (you wonderful person): https://patreon.com/UnsolicitedAdvice701?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_linkSign up to my email list for more (occasional) philosophy to improve your life: https://forms.gle/YYfaCaiQw9r6YfkN700:00 Plagues and Pestilence02:26 Denial and Illusion08:40 The Grief of Disaster16:12 The Banality of Goodness23:43 Temporary Peace Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Debating Philip Goff on Consciousness, God, and Drugs 27.09.2026 2ó 25pI am a naturalist, and Philip is a panpsychist, and as a result we disagree an awful lot on questions to do with consciousness and God. So we met up to chat about both of these topics, as well as the subject of religious experiences, and see what common ground we share. This was a very fun conversation, and I hope you enjoy!Support me on Patreon here (you lovely person): https://patreon.com/UnsolicitedAdvice701?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_linkSubscribe to my Substack here for more of my writings: https://josephfolley.substack.com/Check out Philip's reply to my fine-tuning argument here: https://open.substack.com/pub/philipgoff/p/i-was-wrong-on-fine-tuningor-was?r=2ohjsz&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=post%20viewerHere are Philip’s links - please do check them out :)‘Why? The Purpose of the Universe’: https://www.amazon.com/Why-Purpose-Universe-Philip-Goff/dp/0198883765/‘Galileo’s Error: Foundations for a New Science of Consciousness’: https://www.amazon.com/Galileos-Error-Foundations-Science-Consciousness/dp/1524747963 Philip’s channel https://www.youtube.com/@philipgoffphilosophy Philip’s X: https://twitter.com/Philip_Goff00:00 Why Panpsychism Doesn't Help Explain Consciousness09:35 Why Panpsychism Does Help Explain Consciousness23:35 My Problems with the Panpsychist Argument40:05 Can we know the nature of consciousness intrinsically?59:56 Are the physicalist and panpsychist at argumentative bedrock?1:23:22 Philip's Religious Experience1:33:31 Are religious experiences reliable?1:40:10 Religious experiences and Orthodox Christianity1:50:16 Debating the fine-tuning argument2:14:06 What is the most interesting idea you've come across in the past year and why? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
One star reviews of classic books that actually understood them perfectly 27.09.2026 52pHead to https://squarespace.com/unsolicitedadvice to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code UNSOLICITEDADVICEYou know the drill! Here are some one-star reviews of classic books. But this time I wanted to do something a little bit different. Rather than simply look to them for entertainment, I wanted to pick those reviews that, even though they were uniformly negative, actually had a very good point, and perhaps understood these works better than most other people.Support me on Patreon here (you lovely person): https://patreon.com/UnsolicitedAdvice701?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_linkSubscribe to my Substack here for more of my writings: https://josephfolley.substack.com/00:00 The Great Gatsby12:29 American Psycho21:18 Kafka: The Complete Stories28:52 Albert Camus' The Fall37:28 Montaigne's Essays Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Taking Philosophy Memes Seriously 27.09.2026 32pAncient Greece had the philosophical dialogue, ancient Rome had the hexameter poem, the enlightenment had the essay, and the Romantics had the philosophical novel. But today, we will look at the modern choice for communicating philosophical ideas: memes. And rather than simply laugh or mock them, we are going to take them seriously to see what we can learn from them.Support me on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/UnsolicitedAdvice701?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_linkSign up to my email list for more philosophy to improve your life: https://forms.gle/YYfaCaiQw9r6YfkN700:23 The Myth of Sisyphus03:03 Shopping Trolley Problem06:19 Frustrated Originality08:21 God and Freedom10:00 The Fear of Being Seen12:13 Philosophy is Annoying14:38 Partying in Absurdity18:08 Moral Monsters19:56 Relativism and its Issues21:44 Philosophy and Self-Help24:29 MC Hammer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Why We're Obsessed with Identity (and why we should stop) | Dr. Alexander Douglas 27.09.2026 1ó 34pIn the modern world we are obsessed with identity - including the idea of "being yourself". I have expressed some scepticism of this idea in the past, but haven't quite been able to put my finger on why. So today we are talking to the wonderful Dr. Alexander Douglas all about his latest book - Against Identity - a critique of the very concept of a fixed identity. I hope you enjoy!You can find Alex's book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DT1K9W2N/?bestFormat=true&k=against%20identity&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-bk-ww_k0_1_16_de&crid=2I1NZ64U6309U&sprefix=against%20identityAnd his Substack here: https://substack.com/@alexxdouglasSupport me on Patreon here (you lovely person): https://patreon.com/UnsolicitedAdvice701?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_linkSubscribe to my Substack here for more of my writings: https://josephfolley.substack.com/00:00 What's wrong with being yourself08:45 How does Daoism question identity?22:33 Should our identities be more fluid?31:20 Identity as social technology?36:45 Spinoza and identity50:00 The pressure of a fixed identity55:04 What is Girard's theory of mimetic desire1:17:20 Girard's Christianity1:24:55 What was the most interesting idea you came across in the past year and why? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
How to Win Any Debate (Without Being an A**hole) 27.09.2026 33pStart speaking a new language in 3 weeks with Babbel 🎉. Take this quiz for up to 60% off your subscription ➡️. Here: https://bit.ly/unsolicitedadviceaugPhilosophers have always been pretty sceptical about debate, and for pretty good reason. Underhanded tactics can be used to manipulate, sway, and mislead. But Aristotle wanted to know how we could rehabilitate debate for someone who did not just want to do these things, but wanted to strive for an honest persuasive approach. So here is how to win a debate, without being a nefarious so-and-so.Support me on Patreon here (you wonderful person): https://patreon.com/UnsolicitedAdvice701?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_linkSign up to my email list for more (occasional) philosophy to improve your life: https://forms.gle/YYfaCaiQw9r6YfkN700:00 The Art of Persuasion02:10 Why Learn Rhetoric06:50 Reasons and Persons13:01 I've got a feeling (woo-hoo)18:28 Knowing me knowing you (aha)22:49 A Touch of Style Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
So, what is actually in the Book of Mormon? | Heliocentric 27.09.2026 2ó 5pI have a soft spot for the weirdest and most wonderful aspects of religious life, and someone who shared my adoring attitude here is @HeliocentricOfficial. I was lucky enough to have Jared stay at my house recently, and I knew I had to have him on the podcast.Support me on Patreon here (you lovely person): https://patreon.com/UnsolicitedAdvice701?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_linkSubscribe to my Substack here for more of my writings: https://josephfolley.substack.com/00:00 Who is Sweet Daddy?07:10 How did you come to Atheism?11:45 What is actually in the Book of Mormon?33:51 What was it like being in a Jehova's Witness Church?54:42 What is Christian Science?01:12:50 Why are you a nihilist?1:27:35 Why are conversations about God and morality so difficult?01:56:46 What is the most interesting idea you've come across in the past year and why? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Self-improvement has sold us a lie 27.09.2026 57pSelf-improvement is a noble aim, but can it go too far? I think it can, but I also think that in our rush to condemn self-improvement and self-optimisation, we often forget that obsession is sometimes a wonderful thing, and we ought not to condemn it wholesale.Support me on Patreon here (you lovely person): https://patreon.com/UnsolicitedAdvice701?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_linkSubscribe to my Substack here for more of my writings: https://josephfolley.substack.com/00:00 The cult of self-optimisation07:54 Keeping Score22:41 The existential temptation of optimisation38:14 In defence of obsession Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
The Philosopher the Modern World Needs | Simone Weil 27.09.2026 58pSimone Weil is one of the most interesting thinkers of the twentieth century. Yet she remains tragically underrated and underread. This is a shame, because she is a truly fascinating and original thinker, with a lot specifically to add to our understanding of the modern world.Support me on Patreon here (you lovely person): https://patreon.com/UnsolicitedAdvice701?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_linkSubscribe to my Substack here for more of my writings: https://josephfolley.substack.com/00:00 The Needs of The Soul14:32 Suffering and The Poem of Force29:11 Social Prestige and the Power of Words41:49 Friendship, Necessity, and Hatred Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Why you NEED to read Franz Kafka 27.09.2026 34pThere are few authors who speak as clearly to the problems of modernity as Franz Kafka. But in him, we also find reassurance that our problems are not unique, or pathetic, but have been felt and understood by those who came before us. And, above all, are dignified enough to fashion great art out of them. So here let's look at Franz Kafka, and how he is the perfect philosopher for the modern age.Support me on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/UnsolicitedAdvice701?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_linkSign up to my email list for more philosophy to improve your life: https://forms.gle/YYfaCaiQw9r6YfkN7Loneliness sources:https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/facts-and-statistics/https://edition.cnn.com/2023/10/24/health/lonely-adults-gallup-poll-wellness/index.htmlhttps://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/nov/16/who-declares-loneliness-a-global-public-health-concernhttps://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/public-engagement/unlock-loneliness/loneliness-young-people-research-briefing#:~:text=BBC.,new%20BBC%20Radio%204%20survey.Video on Kafka and TikTok: https://youtu.be/JuaWj0GVU9o?si=ErfYiLqGWy7-gyYF00:00 Kafka Populi01:13 A Question of Identity08:11 Isolation in Public14:45 Mundane Helplessness21:24 A Portrait of Fear Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
The Thought Experiment Tier List 27.09.2026 1ó 22pI love a philosophical thought experiment, and I love a tier list. So today we are going to rank some of the most famous thought experiments in history. Thank you so much to the friend who was kind enough to send me his list to react to.Support me on Patreon here (you lovely person): https://patreon.com/UnsolicitedAdvice701?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_linkSubscribe to my Substack here for more of my writings: https://josephfolley.substack.com/00:00 Mary's Room10:27 Ship of Theseus16:01 The Teleporter Problem25:55 Utility Monster33:10 Euthyphro Dilemma38:06 Russell's Teapot43:22 Fake Barn Country51:45 Are you a Brain in a Vat?58:46 Wittgenstein's Beetle in a Box1:07:17 Chinese Room Argument Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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