Best Philosophy Resources: Podcasts, YouTube, and Places to Learn Online

Whether you're new to philosophy or want to go deeper, the best philosophy resources are a mix of podcasts, video, reference works, and places where you can learn and discuss. Here's a guide to where to learn philosophy online—from short podcasts to encyclopedias and magazines—so you can keep exploring after (or alongside) structured courses and paths.

In this article: the best philosophy podcasts (Philosophy Bites, Partially Examined Life, and more), top philosophy YouTube channels (Philosophy Tube, Crash Course Philosophy), trusted encyclopedias (Stanford and Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy), philosophy magazines and essays (Aeon, Psyche, Philosophy Now), and a home base for courses, argument mapping, and discussion—schrodingers.cat. Each section links to the actual sites so you can dive in.

Why these philosophy resources matter

Learning philosophy online works best when you combine different formats. Podcasts fit into commutes and chores; video can make abstract ideas concrete; encyclopedias give you accurate definitions and references; magazines and essays connect philosophy to the rest of life. No single resource does everything. A good list of philosophy resources gives you something for quick lookups, something for deep dives, and something for discussion—so you can build a habit without burning out. The resources below are all free to use (or mostly free) and are widely used by students, teachers, and enthusiasts. We've checked that each link points to the correct, live site.

Best philosophy podcasts

Podcasts are one of the easiest ways to learn philosophy in bite-sized chunks or long series. You can listen while walking, cooking, or commuting, and many shows are aimed at people who haven't studied philosophy formally.

Philosophy Bites — Short conversations with professional philosophers on big ideas: ethics, mind, free will, political philosophy, and more. Episodes are usually under 20 minutes, so they work well for commutes or short breaks. The hosts interview leading philosophers on a single topic per episode, which makes it one of the best philosophy podcasts for beginners who want to sample different areas.

Partially Examined Life — A philosophy podcast for people who don't know they like philosophy yet. The hosts read and discuss classic and contemporary texts in an approachable way, often with humor. Episodes are longer and more conversational than Philosophy Bites; good if you want to see how philosophers actually read and argue about a text.

History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps — A comprehensive podcast that walks through the history of philosophy "without any gaps," from the Presocratics through ancient, medieval, and modern philosophy, and beyond. Host Peter Adamson covers major and lesser-known figures. Good if you want a structured, chronological overview and don't mind a long backlog.

Very Bad Wizards — Philosophy and psychology in one show, with a mix of serious argument and humor. Covers moral psychology, free will, and pop culture. If you like your philosophy with jokes and a bit of edge, this is a strong pick.

In Our Time — BBC Radio 4's long-running series on philosophy, science, and history. The philosophy episodes are authoritative and accessible; guests are scholars, and presenter Melvyn Bragg keeps the discussion clear. A solid resource for beginners and enthusiasts alike.

Philosophy Talk — A radio show and podcast that "questions everything." Wide-ranging topics and guest philosophers; good for discovering new questions and positions. Episodes are available free online.

The Philosopher's Zone — ABC Radio National's philosophy program. Similar in spirit to In Our Time: clear, serious, and suitable for learning philosophy online. Focuses on ideas and their relevance to contemporary life.

Philosophy YouTube channels and video

If you prefer video, these channels make philosophy accessible and engaging. They're useful when you want to see arguments laid out visually or explained step by step.

Philosophy Tube — Philosophy explained through clear scripts, characters, and visuals. Covers political philosophy, ethics, and contemporary issues in a way that's easy to follow. One of the most popular philosophy YouTube channels; good for beginners and for seeing how philosophy connects to real-world questions.

Crash Course Philosophy — A fast-paced intro to philosophy on YouTube. Covers core topics—knowledge, ethics, mind, free will, and more—in short episodes. Good for a first pass before diving into podcasts or reading. The playlist is free and organized by theme.

Michael Burns — Philosophy in pop culture: movies, games, and TV. Useful if you want to see how philosophical ideas show up in stories and media you already enjoy. A different angle from "intro to philosophy" courses but still a real way to learn philosophy online.

Encyclopedias and reference

When you need accurate, peer-reviewed definitions and overviews, use these. They're the go-to philosophy resources for "what is X?" and "who argued that?"

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy — An authoritative, peer-reviewed philosophy reference. Entries are written and maintained by experts and updated over time. Ideal for looking up concepts, figures, and arguments. Free online. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (SEP) is one of the most cited philosophy resources in academic work; it's also accessible enough for serious beginners.

Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy — Peer-reviewed articles by professional philosophers. Slightly more accessible than the SEP in places; another reliable place to learn philosophy online when you need a clear reference. Good for quick lookups and for following links between related topics.

Philosophy magazines and essays

For essays, opinion, and ongoing discussion rather than encyclopedic reference, these magazines and sites are strong philosophy resources.

Aeon — A digital magazine of ideas, philosophy, and culture. Essays and videos that connect philosophy to current life and science. New pieces regularly; good for "what are people thinking about now?"

Philosophy Now — A bi-monthly magazine that makes philosophy accessible to a broad audience. Articles, interviews, and short pieces on classic and contemporary topics. Available in print and online.

Psyche — Focuses on psychology, philosophy, and living well. Practical and reflective; good for "how do I think about this?" rather than pure history of ideas. Run by Aeon; free to read online.

Daily Nous — Philosophy news, jobs, and community discussion. Aimed at academics and serious enthusiasts who want to stay in the loop on the profession. Less "learn philosophy" and more "what's happening in philosophy."

schrodingers.cat: courses, argument mapping, and forum

If you want a single place that ties learning, practice, and discussion together, schrodingers.cat is built for that. It's a home for philosophical inquiry—think clearly, argue well, and explore the ideas that shape our world—and it fits alongside the podcasts, YouTube channels, and encyclopedias above as another philosophy resource.

What's there: Free learning paths on philosophy topics (you can explore any path without signing up), argument mapping so you can map and sharpen arguments, and a philosophy forum where you can ask questions, share argument maps, and debate with others who care about clarity and good reasoning. The site also has a blog with articles on philosophy, critical thinking, and how to use the tools.

How it fits with the rest: Use podcasts and video for exposure and context; use the Stanford or Internet Encyclopedia when you need a precise definition or overview. Use schrodingers.cat when you want structure (paths), practice (argument mapping), or conversation (forum). No paywall; the goal is to make philosophy resources and dialogue accessible.

How to use these philosophy resources

• Just starting: Begin with Crash Course Philosophy or Philosophy Bites, then try Partially Examined Life or Philosophy Tube. Add schrodingers.cat paths if you want a guided sequence.
• Want structure: Use learning paths on schrodingers.cat for guided topics, then use the podcasts and encyclopedias to go deeper.
• Need a definition or overview: Use the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy or Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
• Want to discuss: Join the philosophy forum to ask questions and talk through ideas with others.
• Want to practice arguing: Use the argument mapping and paths to break down arguments and see how they work.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best philosophy podcasts for beginners?

Philosophy Bites (short, clear episodes) and Partially Examined Life (friendly, text-based discussions) are two of the best philosophy podcasts for beginners. In Our Time (BBC) and Crash Course Philosophy on YouTube also work well for people new to the subject.

Where can I learn philosophy online for free?

You can learn philosophy online for free using podcasts (e.g. Philosophy Bites, Partially Examined Life), YouTube (Philosophy Tube, Crash Course Philosophy), encyclopedias (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy), and sites like schrodingers.cat (paths, argument mapping, forum). Many magazines (Aeon, Philosophy Now, Psyche) also offer free essays and articles.

What is the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy?

The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (SEP) is a free, peer-reviewed online encyclopedia written and maintained by professional philosophers. It is one of the most authoritative philosophy resources for definitions, overviews, and references. Entries are cited widely in academic work and are updated over time.

Are there good philosophy YouTube channels?

Yes. Philosophy Tube and Crash Course Philosophy are two widely used philosophy YouTube channels. Michael Burns covers philosophy in pop culture (movies, games, TV). All are free and accessible for learning philosophy online.

Is there a place to practice philosophy and discuss with others?

Yes. schrodingers.cat offers free learning paths, argument mapping, and a philosophy forum where you can ask questions, share argument maps, and debate with others. You can use it alongside podcasts and encyclopedias as a place to practice and discuss.

Summary

The best philosophy resources combine podcasts (Philosophy Bites, Partially Examined Life, History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps, Very Bad Wizards, In Our Time, Philosophy Talk, The Philosopher's Zone), YouTube (Philosophy Tube, Crash Course Philosophy, Michael Burns), encyclopedias (Stanford and Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy), and magazines (Aeon, Philosophy Now, Psyche, Daily Nous). Use them alongside schrodingers.cat for structured paths, argument mapping, and the forum to learn philosophy online and keep exploring ideas.