On this episode of The Open Door, Catholic philosophers Jim Hanink and Mario Ramos-Reyes are joined by Christopher Zehnder and Peter Redpath to discuss a public philosophy. (January 24, 2020)

1. Just what is public philosophy?
2. Were Socrates and Plato public philosophers?
3. Were William James and Emmanuel Mounier public philosophers? How about Mortimer
Adler and Jacques Maritain?
4. Who are some contemporary public philosophers? What about, say, David Brooks, the
NYT columnist?
5. Are there organized groups that promote public philosophy?
6. What difficulties does a public philosopher face today in the United States?
7. Some philosophers, like Boethius, have found themselves in jail. Others visit jail in order
to teach philosophy! Can you tell us about your experience teaching philosophy to
prisoners?
8. Should philosophy have a place in parish religious education programs?
9. Can we make a helpful distinction between professional philosophers and philosophical
professionals?
10. Suppose one would like to be an amateur public philosopher. Could one test the water, as
it were, by writing a letter to the editor or posting on a website?