The 21st Century Monads
by The 21st Century Monads
The 21st Century Monads are an international musical collaboration whose music deals with fundamental issues in philosophy, including specialized topics in contemporary analytic philosophy and the history of philosophy. The musical genres range from dance to folk. The songs are unique, original songs, not cheesy parodies. We provide our songs to you for free. If you enjoyed them, please consider paying it forward by making an appropriate donation to a charity of your choice. Thanks!
Episodes
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The Ways
Some things are best left unsaid Music copyright 2024 © The 21st Century Monads Music and lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Kris McDaniel: vocals, bass melodion, bass xylophone, clarinet, nova dood, soprano recorder, stellar flutes Laura Callahan: vocals Cover art by Carrie Jenkins. Copyright 2025 © The...
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The Shore
Just another adventure. Music copyright 2024 © The 21st Century Monads Music and lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Kris McDaniel: vocals, banjitar, bass ukulele, bass melodion, bawu, clarinet, hulusi, bawu, clarinet, hulusi, nova jhorn, soprano recorder, stellar flutes, three-string ukulele Laura…
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The Impossible
Some things just cannot not be. Music copyright 2024 © The 21st Century Monads Music and lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Kris McDaniel: vocals, bass recorder, bass clarinet, clarinet, hulusi, slide pan flute, soprano recorder Cover art by Carrie Jenkins. Copyright 2025 © The 21st Century Monads
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Tough Enough
You can’t handle the truth! Music copyright 2024 © The 21st Century Monads Music and lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Kris McDaniel: vocals, acoustic guitar, baby sitar, bass guitar, clarinet, drums, nova dude, soprano saxophone Laura Callahan: vocals Cover art by Carrie Jenkins. Copyright 2025 © The…
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Write Alone
Is the author really dead, or is it just me? Music copyright 2024 © The 21st Century Monads Music and lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Kris McDaniel: vocals, alto recorder, baby sitar, bass guitar, bawu, drums, hand percussion, practice guzheng, soprano recorder, soprano sax, stellar flutes, tongue drum...
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Your Noumena Are Ill
We have no windows. Music copyright 2025 © The 21st Century Monads Music and lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Kris McDaniel: banjitar (bowed), bass guitar, bouzouki, clarinet, drums, Godin Multi-Oud, Guitar (electric), hand percussion, Ran (electric), stellar flutes, Ukulele (8 string) Ben Bradley…
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There’s a Hole
Something is there because nothing is. Music copyright 2024 © The 21st Century Monads Music and lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Kris McDaniel: vocals, baby sitar, bass guitar, bass melodion, phin, soprano saxophone, stellar flutes, 3-string ukulele Laura Callahan: vocals Cover art by Carrie Jenkins....
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Mary
The story of Mary, a brilliant color scientist, and what happens to her when she escapes the black and white prison she grew up in. Music copyright 2024 © The 21st Century Monads Music and lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Kris McDaniel: vocals, baby sitar, bass guitar, clarinet, cornet, drums, Godin...
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Nothing
Nothing comes from nothing but nothing. Music copyright 2024 © The 21st Century Monads Music and lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Kris McDaniel: vocals, bass guitar, box tanpura, nova dood, percussion sitar Laura Callahan: vocals Cover art by Carrie Jenkins. Copyright 2025 © The 21st Century Monads
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One Time
It's hard to live in the moment when a moment lasts for only a moment. Music copyright 2024 © The 21st Century Monads Music and lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Kris McDaniel: vocals, baby sitar, bass melodion, clarinet, drums, hand percussion, nova dood, stellar flutes, soprano recorder, soprano sax,...
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Red_Yellow_Green
Musing about the metaphysics of color, and the affective significance of a particular theory of color. Music copyright 2024 © The 21st Century Monads Music and lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Kris McDaniel: vocals, classical guitar, stellar flutes Cover art by Carrie Jenkins. Copyright 2025 © The 21st...
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The Desire
Why Can't I Be You? Music copyright 2024 © The 21st Century Monads Music and lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Kris McDaniel: vocals, baglama, baby sitar, bass guitar, cornet, drums, hand percussion, mellophone, nova dood, stellar flutes, nova dude, clarinet, hand percussion, soprano recorder Cover art by...
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The Dreamer’s Dream
Unreal, perchance to be dreamt? Music copyright 2024 © The 21st Century Monads Music and lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Kris McDaniel: vocals, bass clarinet, bass guitar, bass recorder, bass melodion, box tanpura, clarinet, drums, guzheng, hand percussion, nova dood, ukelele Laura Callahan: vocals…
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The World Soul: Theme One
Opening instrumental theme music for the World Soul. Music copyright 2024 © The 21st Century Monads Music and lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Kris McDaniel: cello, clarinet Laura Callahan: fiddle Cover art by Carrie Jenkins. Copyright 2025 © The 21st Century Monads
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The World Soul: Theme Two
Musical interlude/second theme of the World Soul. Music copyright 2024 © The 21st Century Monads Music and lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Kris McDaniel: bass clarinet, clarinet, nova dude, soprano saxophone Cover art by Carrie Jenkins. Copyright 2025 © The 21st Century Monads
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I Don’t Live In the Now
When all times are as real as the present moment, it's hard to live in the now. Music copyright 2024 © The 21st Century Monads Music and lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Kris McDaniel: vocals, bass guitar, boomwhacker xylophone, drums, gopichand (soprano), hand percussion, soprano saxophone, trumpet…
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If You Want to Find Me
Priorities. Music copyright 2024 © The 21st Century Monads Music and lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Kris McDaniel: vocals, bass guitar, drums, electric guitar, nova dood, keyboards, stellar flutes Laura Callahan: fiddle, vocals Ben Bradley: cello Cover art by Carrie Jenkins. Copyright 2025 © The 21st...
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Time Calls Everyone Home
So long. Hope ya miss me. Lyrics written by Kris McDaniel Kris McDaniel: vocals, keyboards, hand percussion Carrie Jenkins: vocals Cover art by Carrie Jenkins A musing on finitude. Copyright 2022 © The 21st Century Monads
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Did It Make You Feel Small?
Just a little ditty. A very little ditty. Lyrics written by Kris McDaniel Kris McDaniel: vocals, keyboards Cover art by Carrie Jenkins Some musings on perspective and the meaning of life. Copyright 2022 © The 21st Century Monads
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Title TBA
It's coming. Soon. I promise. Lyrics written by Kris McDaniel Kris McDaniel: vocals, edrums, keyboards Carrie Jenkins: vocals, piano, keyboards Cover art by Carrie Jenkins Writing can be rewarding, but it can also be demoralising, torturous, and terrifying. Copyright 2022 © The 21st Century Monads
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The Veil
Do you have an impression of what comes between us? Lyrics written by Kris McDaniel Kris McDaniel: vocals, edrums, keyboards, electric guitar Ben Bradley: electric guitar Carrie Jenkins: vocals Cover art by Carrie Jenkins Copyright 2022 © The 21st Century Monads
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Creature of Darkness
But when will we rejoice with the reader? Lyrics written by Kris McDaniel Kris McDaniel: vocals, edrums, keyboards, bass guitar, electric guitar Cover art by Carrie Jenkins Numbers, propositions, properties, and types are examples of abstract objects. Abstract objects are not in space and time in...
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The Words
So whaddya mean anyway? Lyrics written by Kris McDaniel Kris McDaniel: vocals, keyboards, edrums, electric guitar, bass guitar Cover art by Carrie Jenkins History of philosophy is hard. Really hard. Especially since you can’t email dead people! Copyright 2022 © The 21st Century Monads
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Overdetermined Man
But still I'll do the best, if I can. Lyrics written by Kris McDaniel and Ben Bradley Kris McDaniel: vocals, edrums, electric guitar, bass guitar, keyboards Ben Bradley: piano, vocals Cover art by Carrie Jenkins Do you act freely only when there are alternative courses of action you could have…
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One Damn Thing After Another
Let us get back to fundamentals. Lyrics written by Kris McDaniel Kris McDaniel: vocals, keyboards, edrums, hand percussion Ben Bradley: electric guitar, bass guitar Carrie Jenkins: vocals Will Bradley: trumpet Cover art by Carrie Jenkins Humean Supervenience is the metaphysical theory that all…
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The Gettier Problem
It's true. You believe. You're justified. Ya know? Lyrics written by Kris McDaniel Kris McDaniel: vocals, edrums, electric guitar, keyboards Ben Bradley: bass guitar, vocals, electric guitar Cover art by Carrie Jenkins What does it take to know a fact? Is it enough to believe truly with excellent...
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What Comes First
Did you hope to be more than a mode? Lyrics written by Kris McDaniel Kris McDaniel: vocals, edrums, electric guitar, bass guitar Carrie Jenkins: vocals Cover art by Carrie Jenkins Copyright 2022 © The 21st Century Monads
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It's Time for a Department Meeting
Yes that time has come again. Lyrics written by Kris McDaniel and Ben Bradley Kris McDaniel: vocals, edrums, keyboards Ben Bradley: electric guitar, bass guitar, vocals Carrie Jenkins: vocals Hille Paakkunainen: vocals Cover art by Carrie Jenkins It’s time for a department meeting. Copyright 2022…
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The Principle of Change
And I was never the same again. Lyrics written by Leneah McDaniel and Kris McDaniel Leneah McDaniel: vocals Kris McDaniel: electric guitar, electric ukulele, bass guitar, edrums, keyboards Cover art by Carrie Jenkins Things change all the time. Sometimes they change so dramatically that they go…
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The Experience Machine
Yeah it's great. It's just so real, man. Lyrics written by Kris McDaniel Kris McDaniel: vocals, keyboards, edrums, bass guitar, electric guitar, Hawaiian slide guitar, electric slide guitar Ben Bradley: vocals Cover art by Carrie Jenkins The Experience Machine is a fictional device that appears…
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Please, Just Let Me Know
I know it's been awhile baby but I need to know. Lyrics written by Kris McDaniel Kris McDaniel: vocals, keyboards, drum programming Cover art by Carrie Jenkins The hard knock life of submitting to academic journals. I suppose it is submitting in multiple senses. Copyright 2022 © The 21st Century...
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Reference Magnets
Can we get these works to stick? Lyrics written by Kris McDaniel Kris McDaniel: vocals, keyboards, drum programming Ben Bradley: vocals Cover art by Carrie Jenkins The word “red” refers to the color red rather than the color blue; the name “Kris” refers to the Mereological Bastard rather than the...
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A Halting Problem
Will I ever stop? I guess that's the point. Lyrics written by Carrie Jenkins and Kris McDaniel Kris McDaniel: vocals, edrums, electric guitar, 8-string ukulele, keyboards Carrie Jenkins: vocals Ben Bradley: bass guitar, cello, electric guitar, acoustic guitar Cover art by Carrie Jenkins A Turing...
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The Cabinet
Are we all really in there? Lyrics written by Kris McDaniel and Carrie Jenkins Kris McDaniel: vocals, edrums, keyboards, electric guitar, melodica, bass melodica Ben Bradley: bass guitar, electric guitar Hille Paakkunainen: vocals Will Bradley: trumpet Cover art by Carrie Jenkins Copyright 2022 ©...
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Why Metaphysicians Make the Best Lovers (Remix)
2016 remix Music by Kris McDaniel. Lyrics by Joshua Spencer. Recorded in Syracuse by Yoko Monad. Mixed by Kris McDaniel. Remixed by Kris McDaniel. Photo by Sophie Ban. Art by Paul Prescott. Copyright 2012,2016 © Yoko Monad.
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‘I’ Be Not Insensitive (Remix)
2016 Remix Music by Kris McDaniel. Lyrics by Joshua Spencer. Guest Vocals by Hille Paakkunainen. Recorded in Syracuse by Yoko Monad. Mixed by Kris McDaniel. Remixed by Kris McDaniel. Photo by Lewis Powell. Layout by Paul Prescott. Copyright 2012,2016 © Yoko Monad.
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Great Souled Man (Remix)
A great souled 2016 remix. Music by Kris McDaniel. Lyrics by Joshua Spencer. Recorded in Syracuse by Yoko Monad. Mixed by Kris McDaniel. Remixed by Kris McDaniel. Art by Paul Prescott. Copyright 2011,2016 © Yoko Monad.
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Void and Object
Can silence speak louder than words, or this song? Lyrics by Kris McDaniel and Carrie Jenkins. Ben Bradley: bass guitar, vocals. Carrie Jenkins: vocals. Kris McDaniel: vocals, electric guitar, synthesizers. Hille Paakkunainen: edrums, vocals. Art by Paul Prescott. Copyright 2013 © The 21st…
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Who Is Your Interlocutor?
Are you talking to me? Well, then who are you talking to, and why? Lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Ben Bradley: bass guitar, cello. Carrie Jenkins: vocals, piano. Kris McDaniel: vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, chimelong. Hille Paakkunainen: edrums. Art by Paul Prescott. Copyright 2013 © The…
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The World Is Made of Fire
The spirit of Heraclitus burns still. Lyrics based on the fragments of Heraclitus arranged by Kris McDaniel. Carrie Jenkins: vocals. Kris McDaniel: classical guitar, ukulele, keyboards, hand percussion. Hille Paakkunainen: edrums. Art by Paul Prescott. Copyright 2013 © The 21st Century Monads.
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Dear Arnie
Can everything be ideal? Lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Ben Bradley: bass guitar. Carrie Jenkins: vocals. Kris McDaniel: vocals, mandolin, electric guitar, synthesizers, edrums. Art by Paul Prescott. Copyright 2013 © The 21st Century Monads.
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Teaching Intro
Since the beginning of time, I've been teaching Phil 100. Lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Ben Bradley: bass guitar. Carrie Jenkins: vocals. Kris McDaniel: vocals, electric guitar. Hille Paakkunainen: edrums. Art by Paul Prescott. Copyright 2013 © The 21st Century Monads.
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We Demand
We demand that you read this description now! Lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Ben Bradley: vocals, electric bass. Kris McDaniel: vocals, electric guitar. Hille Paakkunainen: vocals, edrums. Art by Paul Prescott. Copyright 2013 © The 21st Century Monads.
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Sometimes I Wish I Were a Scientist
Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer the doubts of philosophy, or actually do some empirical research… Lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Ben Bradley: bass guitar. Carrie Jenkins: vocals. Kris McDaniel: vocals, piano, lap slide electric guitar. Hille Paakkunainen: edrums. Art by Paul Prescott.…
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Entitled
Can I know what I know without knowing it? Lyrics by Carrie Jenkins. Ben Bradley: bass guitar, cello. Carrie Jenkins: piano, vocals. Kris McDaniel: minor percussion. Hille Paakkunainen: edrums. Art by Paul Prescott. Copyright 2013 © The 21st Century Monads.
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Thoughts
Does the mind only reflect itself, or something beyond? Lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Ben Bradley: piano, bass guitar. Carrie Jenkins: vocals. Kris McDaniel: vocals, electric guitar, synthesizers. Hille Paakkunainen: edrums. Art by Paul Prescott. Copyright 2013 © The 21st Century Monads.
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Epistemic Vice Squad
We’re about to bust this Gettier case wide open. Lyrics by Kris McDaniel and Carrie Jenkins. Ben Bradley: bass guitar. Carrie Jenkins: vocals. Kris McDaniel: vocals, electric guitar, synthesizers, edrums. Hille Paakkunainen: vocals. Art by Paul Prescott. Copyright 2013 © The 21st Century Monads.
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The Psychologistic Blues
And here you thought there wasn’t any other kind. Lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Carrie Jenkins: vocals. Kris McDaniel: synthesizers. Hille Paakkunainen: edrums. Art by Paul Prescott. Copyright 2013 © The 21st Century Monads.
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The Ballad of Tim
A song you might remember before hearing it for the first time. Maybe. Lyrics by Carrie Jenkins. Ben Bradley: bass guitar. Carrie Jenkins: piano, vocals, organ. Kris McDaniel: vocals. Hille Paakkunainen: edrums. Art by Paul Prescott. Copyright 2013 © The 21st Century Monads.
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The Nothing Noths (Flaming Volcano Mix)
Remix by Jason Raibley. Copyright 2012 © Monads vs. Perifery
About this show
The 21st Century Monads are an international musical collaboration whose music deals with fundamental issues in philosophy, including specialized topics in contemporary analytic philosophy and the history of philosophy. The musical genres range from dance to folk. The songs are unique, original songs, not cheesy parodies. We provide our songs to you for free. If you enjoyed them, please consider paying it forward by making an appropriate donation to a charity of your choice. Thanks!
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The 21st Century Monads
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