I Learned Nothing I Learned Nothing

Pat was feeling empty so Ben goes hard in the paint explaining the liberating Buddhist philosophy of Nagarjuna. Considered one of the most influential philosophers in Asian history and a pioneer in early Buddhist thought, Nagarjuna extrapolated the twin pillars of Buddhist philosophy: Emptiness and dependent arising. Wrap your mind around these non-concepts, putos! (Part One) Also: patreon.com/ILearnedNothing. Give us money for bonus episodes!

Pat was feeling unique so Ben blasts his precious little perspective right out of the water by introducing him to the Twin Earth thought experiment. In one fell swoop, Ben destroys Pat's commitment to semantic internalism thanks to Hilary Putnam and his view that "meaning just ain't in the head." If you know anything about philosophy of language, you'll recognize this thought experiment for the earth shattering mental exercise that it is. If you know nothing about philosophy of language, F**K YOU! Check out our Patreon for bonus episodes: patreon.com/ILearnedNothing

Pat was feeling murderous so Ben tamps that rage with the devout moral reasoning of near-canonized Catholic saint and Wittgenstein acolyte Gertrude Elizabeth Margaret Anscombe. One of the big heavy hitters of Ordinary Language Philosophy and pioneer of Virtue Ethics, G.E.M. Anscombe started her career as a Catholic convert, then Wittgenstein's protege/favorite, then went toe-to-toe with the 20th Century's greatest mass murder, Harry S. Truman over his trigger-happy bombings of innocent civilians. CHECK IT OUT! Also check out our Patreon for Bonus Content: www.patreon.com/ILearnedNothing

Pat was feeling glib so Ben cruelly reminds him to follow the rules. That's right. In this GROUNDBREAKING episode, Ben teaches Pat about the fastidious ethical theory of Deontology, a theory ensuring everyone gets a fair shake, regardless of the consequences. Made famous by Pat's enemy Immanuel Kant and his Categorical Imperative, Deontology asserts that most important in moral consideration is the duty and obligation one has to follow ethical rules and adhering to the Right over merely the Good. It sanctifies the status and inviolability of the human person, making thought experiments like the Trolley Problem and Killing Baby Hitler rather hairy. Also, FOR GOD'S SAKE, check out our Patreon: patreon.com/ILearnedNothing

Pat was feeling submissive so Ben finished him off with the ultimate submission move: Islam. In this episode, Ben rounds out our discussion about Islamic philosophy with a stirring overview of the Sufi GOAT Ibn Arabi and his face-melting concept call Wahdat-ul-Wujud, or "The Unity of Being." Essentially, we are each and all the multiplicity of creation emanated by Allah's Oneness. God is all that truly exists and we are but shadows made discernible by his light. Whatever that means. Listen to learn more, stupid! And don't forget to check out our Patreon for more nonsense! patreon.com/ILearnedNothing

Pat was feeling haram, so Ben sat his infidel ass down and explained to him the groundbreaking philosophical developments unleashed by the Islamic world. Centuries before Christian thinkers like Thomas Aquinas and Albertus Magnus (Latin for Fat Albert) were even potty trained, Muslim philosophers from Spain to Persia shed a guiding light on the other wise very Dark Ages. This dream team includes the likes of Avicenna (Ibn Sina), Ibn Arabi, and Al Ghazali, who expounded on the metaphysical & philosophical underpinnings of the hottest new super-religion on the scene: Islam. Learn about the Tawwhid, Sufi mysticism, and Al Ghazali's nutty theory of occasionalism in this epic TWO PARTER! Buckle up, buttercup, and don't forget to check out our Patreon (patreon.com/ILearnedNothing) for some sweet sweet extra credit.