History of Philosophy: India, Africana, China

Peter Adamson, Jonardon Ganeri, Chike Jeffers

Africana Philosophy

Critical Race Theory

Afrocentricity

Civil Rights Movement

Molefi Kete Asante

African Culture

Derek Bell

Kimberly Crenshaw

Affirmative Action

Confucianism

Daoism

Black Studies

Cultural Nationalism

Racial Inequality

Legal Studies

Yi Jing

Chinese Philosophy

Afrocentrism

Christianity

Maulana Karenga

Peter Adamson teams up with Jonardon Ganeri, Chike Jeffers, and Karyn Lai to represent the philosophical traditions of ancient India, Africa and the African diaspora, and classical China. Website: www.historyofphilosophy.net.

689 ratings

Publishes	Twice monthly	Episodes	241	Founded	10 years ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	PhilosophySociety & Culture

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Latest Episodes

HPC 36. Fishing for Complements: Polarities in Daoism

The significance of the Laozi’s use of opposing pairs, which are treated as complementary rather as exclusive dichotomies.

14 Sep 2025 • 17 min

HPC 35. Way Better than Greenwashing: Daoism on Nature

The Laozi (Daodejing) refers to the winds, the rain and the waters. We discuss how these ideas express the Laozi’s views on nature.

27 Jul 2025 • 21 min

HPC 34. You Don’t Say! the Dao That Cannot Be Told

The first rule of dao is: don’t talk about dao. We do so nonetheless, focusing on its role in metaphysics and language.

13 Jul 2025 • 23 min

HPC 33. Let Us Count the Ways: What is Daoism?

What does “Daoism” refer to in a range of contexts, and how have excavated texts changed our understanding of the tensions between Daoism and Confucianism?

29 Jun 2025 • 18 min

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Recent Guests

Chris Fraser

Chan Professor in the School of Chinese at the University of Hong Kong

University of Hong Kong

Episode: HPC 32. Chris Fraser on Mohism

Chris Frazier

A leading specialist on the Moas and author of works on Moism.

Episode: HPC 31. Push and Pull: Mohist Dialectic

Ting Mien Lee

Professor of Philosophy at the University of Macau

University of Macau

Episode: HPC 28. Ting Mien Lee on Mohism and Confucianism

Amy Olberding

Professor of Philosophy at the University of Oklahoma

University of Oklahoma

Episode: HPC 23. Amy Olberding on Confucian Ethics

Amy Alberding

Philosopher focusing on the significance of etiquette and rudeness

Episode: HPC 22. Inside Job: Women in Confucianism

Sor-Hoon Tan

Professor of Philosophy at Singapore Management University

Singapore Management University

Episode: HPC 21. Sor-Hoon Tan on Confucian Democracy

Erica Brindley

Professor of Asian Studies, History and Philosophy

Penn State

Episode: HPC 18. Erica Brindley on Music and the Cosmos in Confucianism

Mark Csikszentmihalyi

Professor and liaison chair of International Studies

University of California, Berkeley

Episode: HPC 11. Mark Csikszentmihalyi on Early Confucianism

Franklin Perkins

Professor in the Department of Philosophy

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Episode: HPC 06. Franklin Perkins on Excavated Texts

Hosts

Peter Adamson

Philosopher and host focusing on the history of philosophy and its various traditions, with notable engagement in the philosophical traditions of India, Africa, and China.

Karyn Lai

Co-host and philosopher who specializes in the philosophical traditions of China and engages in discussions linking ancient philosophy with contemporary thought.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 689 ratings

Excellent, life-changing!
Podcast Addict
5
ABee
5 months ago
Great Introduction to Chinese Philosophy
The most accessible introduction to Chinese philosophy and the ways it’s interpreted today I’ve listend to.
Apple Podcasts
5
cdongowski
Germany8 months ago
Missing episodes 2-6
Hi Peter, can’t find these episodes. Any hope?
Apple Podcasts
5
Sirjeeeee
India2 years ago
The best survey of philosophy you could ask for
I’ve been listening to this podcast from the beginning and it has been of the highest order—which should be expected of anyone familiar with the History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps.
Apple Podcasts
5
GeniusOfSound
United States2 years ago
Awesome stuff
A great resource for anyone trying to break away from the exclusivity and tunnel vision of the traditional western mindset
Apple Podcasts
5
InsultingRetard
United States3 years ago

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Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The engaging style of the host makes complex ideas easier to understand and relatable.

Listeners appreciate the series for its accessibility and depth, providing a thorough introduction to non-Western philosophies.

Many reviews highlight the podcast as an essential resource for anyone interested in broadening their philosophical horizons beyond the traditional Western canon.

Some feedback expresses a desire for more episodes covering additional topics, showing a committed and enthusiastic audience.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts	#78	United States/Society & Culture/Philosophy
Apple Podcasts	#98	Canada/Society & Culture/Philosophy
Apple Podcasts	#145	United Kingdom/Society & Culture/Philosophy
Apple Podcasts	#22	Germany/Society & Culture/Philosophy
Apple Podcasts	#211	Australia/Society & Culture/Philosophy
Apple Podcasts	#27	India/Society & Culture/Philosophy

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

HPC 28. Ting Mien Lee on Mohism and Confucianism

Q: How would you compare Moism to other forms of consequentialism?

Moism emphasizes duty and caring for vulnerable people while being a form of consequentialism that is distinct due to its religious undertones.

HPC 28. Ting Mien Lee on Mohism and Confucianism

Q: What do you think the conflict between Confucianism and Moism concerning war is as clear as that?

While both traditions advocate for kindness and righteousness, they differ in the standards for justifying war, with Moism being more restrictive.

HPC 28. Ting Mien Lee on Mohism and Confucianism

Q: What is the main contribution to our understanding of Chinese intellectual history that we get from Moism?

Moism provides crucial insights into the Warring States philosophical scene, particularly in understanding Confucianism through their debates.

HPC 18. Erica Brindley on Music and the Cosmos in Confucianism

Q: Can you elaborate on how music serves as a tool for cultural unification according to Xunzi?

Xunzi argues that music, through its transformative influence, helps sway populations and establish a moral framework, thus playing a crucial role in social engagement and the cultivation of cultural identity.

HPC 18. Erica Brindley on Music and the Cosmos in Confucianism

Q: What do you mean when you say there was a deep relationship between music and the cosmos?

The interrelation suggests that music was not just an art form but a way to connect with and understand the cosmos, with claims that music itself could be seen as a fundamental operation of the cosmic order.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focused on the philosophical traditions of ancient India, Africa, and classical China, this series provides a comprehensive exploration of non-Western philosophy. The discussions highlight influential philosophical texts and figures from these rich intellectual histories while examining their relevance in contemporary contexts. Notably, the show emphasizes lesser-known philosophies and invites thought-provoking comparisons with Western traditions, making it a crucial resource for listeners seeking to broaden their perspectives on global philosophy. The emphasis on inclusivity and diversity in philosophical thought is a key aspect that distinguishes this show from others in the genre.

The podcast features engaging discussions that unpack co... more

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1. History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps
2. Philosophy Bites
3. What's Left of Philosophy
4. Philosophy For Our Times
5. In Our Time

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this podcast launched 10 years ago and published 241 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Chris Fraser
2. Chris Frazier
3. Ting Mien Lee
4. Amy Olberding
5. Amy Alberding
6. Sor-Hoon Tan
7. Erica Brindley
8. Mark Csikszentmihalyi

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