Jason Stanley: podcast appearances and interviews

Jason Stanley is an American philosopher and the Jacob Urowsky Professor of Philosophy at Yale University. His academic work primarily focuses on philosophy of language and epistemology, with significant contributions that draw upon and influence fields such as linguistics and cognitive science. Stanley’s research explores the relationship between knowledge and action, emphasizing the importance of practical factors for understanding knowledge. He has demonstrated that practical and theoretical knowledge are interconnected, advancing these ideas through his publications, including the books Knowledge and Practical Interests and Know How, the latter co-authored with Timothy Williamson. His interdisciplinary approach extends to neuroscience collaborations, notably with John Krakauer. Beyond his work in philosophy, Stanley applies philosophical tools to political philosophy, examining how language and propaganda influence society. In his 2015 book How Propaganda Works, he investigates the mechanisms by which propaganda shapes public perception. His 2023 publication, The Politics of Language, co-authored with linguist David Beaver, offers a re-evaluation of linguistic meaning, emphasizing non-informational aspects of speech. This work questions traditional assumptions about linguistic meaning by considering the role of slurs and other speech acts, stimulating debates within both philosophy and linguistics. Prior to his appointment at Yale University, which began in 2013, Stanley held academic positions at Rutgers University, the University of Michigan, and Cornell University. His move to Yale reflects his ongoing influence in the field and his engagement with critical issues concerning language, knowledge, and politics.