What is Philosophy? - Hotel Bar Sessions

What this episode covers

In this season-opening episode of Hotel Bar Sessions, Rick Lee and Leigh Johnson welcome new co-host Talia Mae Bettcher, a leading voice in trans philosophy and feminist theory, to dive into the deceptively simple but persistently perplexing question: What is philosophy?This wide-ranging conversation explores whether philosophy is defined by its methods (argument, critique, concept creation), its outcomes (or lack thereof), or the scenes and communities in which it takes place. Along the way, the hosts discuss credentialism in academia, gatekeeping in the discipline, and how philosophy might survive outside the university.Drawing on thinkers like Graham Priest, Gilles Deleuze, Wittgenstein, Richard Rorty, Kristie Dotson, and Pierre Hadot, the trio refuse to close the question. Instead, they ask: Can philosophy remain meaningful in a world that demands clear outcomes and fixed definitions? Is staying with the question itself the real task?Whether you’re a seasoned philosopher or new to the field, this episode invites you into an ongoing, unfinished conversation—over drinks, at the bar, where the real philosophy happens.Full episode notes available at this link:https://hotelbarpodcast.com/podcast/what-is-philosophy-------------------If you enjoy Hotel Bar Sessions podcast, please be sure to subscribe and submit a rating/review! Better yet, you can support this podcast by signing up to be one of our Patrons at patreon.com/hotelbarsessions!Follow us on Blue Sky @hotelbarpodcast.bsky.social, on Facebook, on TikTok, and subscribe to our YouTube channel! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

No similar episodes found.

Similar Podcasts

RAISING THE BAR MUSICHYPEBEAST The RAISING THE BAR Podcast is dedicated to providing a fresh and unconventional broadcast platform for the biggest names in music and entertainment.The interview insight provided by the staff of MUSICHYPEBEAST separates us from the pack. The passion of RAISING THE BAR podcast is fueled by Millennial Music culture. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. NEWMORROW SESSIONS - A PodCast Series on the Future of Hospitality Mario C. Bauer, Florian Schneider, Axel Weber & Dr. Tillman Bardt The Newmorrow PodCast is more than a podcast — it's a platform for open dialog on the future of our business, a platform for those building what doesn’t exist yet. Here, we share and embrace our passion for the hospitality industry, but we won’t romanticize the journey. We ask the tough questions, confront uncomfortable truths, and prepare for a future that resists easy answers. We believe that the tougher and wilder times become, the more openly, honestly and humanely people need to talk to each other and act together. We believe, openness, togetherness, and truthfulness should also be cornerstones of a professional community to develop our utopian idea of „open source“. This is a space where visionaries don’t just imagine the future — they wrestle with the paradoxes that shape it: success vs. happiness, data vs. instinct, stability vs. reinvention. Join leaders, entrepreneurs, and thinkers as they share not what made them — but what’s actively shaping them, now and next. So tune in rAIsing the bar Isha Karim “rAIsing the bar” is a female-run podcast series committed to broadening the AI conversation and sparking discussion around the ethics and controversies surrounding the field today. By making AI more accessible in such an interconnected world, we aspire to foster an interest in AI for as many people as possible. Willow Bend Zen | Guided Sleep Hypnosis Ariadne Mayz At Willow Bend Zen I offer Guided Meditation/hypnosis and Affirmation sessions designed to help you create and live the life of your dreams. Through repeated listening we will re-program any limiting beliefs you have and replace them with the limitless possibilities that will become your reality. Here you will find almost any topic that comes to mind. Using the Law of Attraction you can attract great love, vibrant health, enormous wealth, inner peace and anything else you wish to create. There are no limits here. So sit back, relax and allow the good vibes to help you drift into the most blissful feeling experience you can imagine. Thank you for joining me!Light, Love and Harmony 💛Ariadne

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Hotel Bar Sessions?

This episode is 59 minutes long.

When was this Hotel Bar Sessions episode published?

This episode was published on May 9, 2025.

What is this episode about?

In this season-opening episode of Hotel Bar Sessions, Rick Lee and Leigh Johnson welcome new co-host Talia Mae Bettcher, a leading voice in trans philosophy and feminist theory, to dive into the deceptively simple but persistently perplexing...

Can I download this Hotel Bar Sessions episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.