What Is Pragmatism and Why Does It Matter? | Dr. Sami Pihlström

Send us a textVeganism is often discussed in popular level discourse with numerous different perspectives. In this video, I examine the variety of different debates that veganism brings into the picture and how asking ourselves these important questions may lead us to discover internal inconsistencies. This video is not aimed at convincing you of veganism or of meat-eating. Rather, to give you a brief outline of some of the questions that you might want to ask yourself when it comes to the debate. Support the show--------------------------If you would want to support the channel and what I am doing, please follow me on Patreon: www.patreon.com/christianityforall Where else to find Josh Yen: Philosophy YT: https://bit.ly/philforallEducation: https://bit.ly/joshyenBuisness: https://bit.ly/logoseduMy Website: https://joshuajwyen.com/

Send us a textOne of the great contributions to Dostoevsky and literary scholarship was Mikhail Bakhtin's work The Problem of Dostoevsky's Poetics. In this video, I build on this book showing how to understand Dostoevsky through a polyphonic lens and what this means for readers of his works. Understanding polyphony prevents simple oversimplifications of Dostoevsky's views.Support the show--------------------------If you would want to support the channel and what I am doing, please follow me on Patreon: www.patreon.com/christianityforall Where else to find Josh Yen: Philosophy YT: https://bit.ly/philforallEducation: https://bit.ly/joshyenBuisness: https://bit.ly/logoseduMy Website: https://joshuajwyen.com/

Send us a textWith the appointment of Sarah Mullally as Archbishop of Canterbury, debates around “liberal Christianity” have reignited—but most people misunderstand what the term actually means. In this video, I trace the roots of liberal Christianity back to nineteenth-century thinkers like Schleiermacher, who, inspired by Kant, reimagined faith as an inner moral and spiritual experience rather than a set of metaphysical claims. I then contrast this historical movement with the modern political label often used in today’s culture wars, showing why many arguments about “liberal” versus “conservative” Christianity miss the deeper theological questions at stake.Support the show--------------------------If you would want to support the channel and what I am doing, please follow me on Patreon: www.patreon.com/christianityforall Where else to find Josh Yen: Philosophy YT: https://bit.ly/philforallEducation: https://bit.ly/joshyenBuisness: https://bit.ly/logoseduMy Website: https://joshuajwyen.com/

Send us a textIn this interview, Joshua Yen speaks with Dr. Jensen Suther (Harvard Society of Fellows) about his new book True Materialism (Stanford University Press). The conversation explores how Hegel and Marx can help us rethink the meaning of materialism, freedom, and modern life. Dr. Suther argues that a “true materialism” must unite Hegel’s conception of rational agency with Marx’s critique of capitalist modernity, showing how philosophy’s history can guide social and political reflection today. Together, we discuss Hegelian Marxism, teleology, historical materialism, freedom, and how philosophy continues to shape our understanding of society.Psst! The Folium Diary has something it wants to tell you - please come a little closer...YOU can change the world - you do it every day. Let's change it for the better, together.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show--------------------------If you would want to support the channel and what I am doing, please follow me on Patreon: www.patreon.com/christianityforall Where else to find Josh Yen: Philosophy YT: https://bit.ly/philforallEducation: https://bit.ly/joshyenBuisness: https://bit.ly/logoseduMy Website: https://joshuajwyen.com/

Send us a textThis video explains how to write a strong philosophy personal statement for UK university applications through UCAS. It breaks down the new UCAS three-question format and shows how to approach each section: why you want to study philosophy, how your studies and experiences have prepared you, and what additional skills or activities strengthen your application. You’ll learn what admissions tutors look for, how to demonstrate genuine intellectual engagement, and how to balance academic depth with personal reflection. Whether you’re applying for Philosophy, PPE, Philosophy & Theology, or another joint honours course, this guide will help you craft a clear, focused, and persuasive statement that stands out for its analytical and reflective quality.Support the show--------------------------If you would want to support the channel and what I am doing, please follow me on Patreon: www.patreon.com/christianityforall Where else to find Josh Yen: Philosophy YT: https://bit.ly/philforallEducation: https://bit.ly/joshyenBuisness: https://bit.ly/logoseduMy Website: https://joshuajwyen.com/

Send us a textApplying to study philosophy at university in the UK? In this video, Joshua Yen — host of Philosophy for All and a master’s student in Philosophical Theology at the University of Oxford — explains everything you need to know about applying through UCAS. You’ll learn how to choose your five universities (reach, match, and safety), decide between single and joint honours courses such as Philosophy & Theology or PPE, research modules and departments, and craft a personal statement that shows genuine philosophical thinking. The video also covers what to expect from interviews, written work, and the Oxford Philosophy Test, as well as practical preparation tips — from reading lists and logic basics to practising discussion. Whether you’re interested in analytic or continental philosophy, this guide will help you understand what UK admissions tutors are looking for and how to present yourself as a thoughtful, well-prepared applicant.Support the show--------------------------If you would want to support the channel and what I am doing, please follow me on Patreon: www.patreon.com/christianityforall Where else to find Josh Yen: Philosophy YT: https://bit.ly/philforallEducation: https://bit.ly/joshyenBuisness: https://bit.ly/logoseduMy Website: https://joshuajwyen.com/

Send us a textAre scholars the only people who should discuss theology, or should all people be able to engage with these topics? Does engaging these on YouTube change something? Does it make it better? Does it make it worse? Who should lead theological discussions online? Is a scholars only approach to esoteric. I discuss these topics in this video!Support the show--------------------------If you would want to support the channel and what I am doing, please follow me on Patreon: www.patreon.com/christianityforall Where else to find Josh Yen: Philosophy YT: https://bit.ly/philforallEducation: https://bit.ly/joshyenBuisness: https://bit.ly/logoseduMy Website: https://joshuajwyen.com/

Send us a textIndulgences are an important part of the Protestant-Catholic disagreement and can radically transform your faith and relation with God. In this video, Fr. James Dominic Rooney joins us to describe what indulgences are, arguments for indulgences, and how Christians can approach them. Fr. James Dominic Rooney is an assistant professor of philosophy at Hong Kong Baptist University, and my work is primarily in metaphysics, medieval philosophy, Chinese philosophy, and philosophy of religion. Psst! The Folium Diary has something it wants to tell you - please come a little closer...YOU can change the world - you do it every day. Let's change it for the better, together.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show--------------------------If you would want to support the channel and what I am doing, please follow me on Patreon: www.patreon.com/christianityforall Where else to find Josh Yen: Philosophy YT: https://bit.ly/philforallEducation: https://bit.ly/joshyenBuisness: https://bit.ly/logoseduMy Website: https://joshuajwyen.com/

Send us a textPragmatism is a prominent position in 19th century philosophy. In this interview, Dr. Sami Pihlström guides us from Peirce, William James, and Dewey to neopragmatists like Rorty and Putnam, asking hard questions about truth, realism, meaning, and the problem of evil. We compare analytic philosophy of religion with Wittgensteinian approaches, explore whether pragmatism is compatible with religious belief, and examine how “the cash-value of truth” reshapes debates about evidence, practice, and community.Dr. Sami Pihlström is Professor of Philosophy of Religion at the University of Helsinki. A leading voice in pragmatism and the philosophy of religion, his work engages realism/anti-realism, meaning, and antitheodicy.Psst! The Folium Diary has something it wants to tell you - please come a little closer...YOU can change the world - you do it every day. Let's change it for the better, together.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show--------------------------If you would want to support the channel and what I am doing, please follow me on Patreon: www.patreon.com/christianityforall Where else to find Josh Yen: Philosophy YT: https://bit.ly/philforallEducation: https://bit.ly/joshyenBuisness: https://bit.ly/logoseduMy Website: https://joshuajwyen.com/

Send us a textBeing and Time is one of the classics of the 20th century, being perhaps one of the most influential books in both phenomenological and existentialist traditions. In this video, I give you five reasons for why you should consider reading this groundbreaking work.Support the show--------------------------If you would want to support the channel and what I am doing, please follow me on Patreon: www.patreon.com/christianityforall Where else to find Josh Yen: Philosophy YT: https://bit.ly/philforallEducation: https://bit.ly/joshyenBuisness: https://bit.ly/logoseduMy Website: https://joshuajwyen.com/