NBN Philosophy Interview: Philosophies of Appropriated Religions

And Sutras & Stuff, behind the scenes

Sep 22, 2024

Two pieces of podcasting news for you.

First, I've published a new interview on NBN Philosophy with Soraj Hongladarom and Jeremiah Joven Joaquin, editors of Philosophies of Appropriated Religions: Perspectives from Southeast Asia, an open-access collection from Springer.

The editors, Soraj Hongladarom, Jeremiah Joven Joaquin, and Frank J. Hoffman, have produced a volume that treats traditional topics in philosophy of religion, such as the problem of evil and afterlife, as well as religious identity, beliefs, practices, and diversity. Contributions vary in methodology; some focus on empirical data and modern culture, while others engage with philosophical texts. Essays focus on a range of religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and indigenous practices. Despite this variety, the volume's editors present the collection as having a kind of unity, both in the specificity of how Southeast Asia “appropriates” religions and the philosophical nature of the essays included.

Our interview talked about the boundaries of philosophy, the challenges in expanding methodologies, and what it’s like to do philosophy in and about Southeast Asia. So, give it a listen!

Purple and blue book cover that reads Soraj Hongladarom, Jeremiah Joven Joaquin, Frank J. Hoffman, Editors, Philosophies of Appropriated Religions: Perspectives from Southeast Asia, Springer. A black and white image of JJ Joaquin. He is smiling, wearing glasses and looking into the camera. He has long black hair and is wearing over-the-ear headphones. An image of Soraj Hongladarom. He is wearing a dark suit and blue tie, with a red academic stole that says "2019 Thailand." He is wearing glasses, has wavy gray and black hair, is facing the camera and smiling.

Second, I’m working on interviews to continue the fourth season of Sutras & Stuff, which has been on an unofficial hiatus for almost a year.

I am planning to continue the focus on Sanskrit loanwords in English, using them as a way to introduce listeners to some ideas in Indian philosophy. Right now, I’m focusing on “pandit,” “guru,” and “yoga,” as the next three episodes, to follow after the first three episodes of Season Four, “karma,” “avatar,” and “mantra.” These episodes will return to the interwoven narrative style of previous seasons, in which expert voices, audio snippets, and my own explanations come together.

While I don’t have a publication date yet, I wanted to update those of you who receive this newsletter that the podcast is not yet dead, even if it’s been quiet!

NBN Philosophy Interview: Philosophies of Appropriated Religions

And Sutras & Stuff, behind the scenes

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