What does a spy owe — to their country, their conscience, or their cause? In this episode, Cécile Fabre investigates the moral lives of Cold War operatives like Kim Philby and Oleg Gordievsky. With Fabre, we probe the strange morality of spies and the ethical paradoxes they inhabit.

Is it ever right to betray your country? Can deception be a moral duty? These questions come to life through real stories of espionage. Competing ethical frameworks — such as utilitarian, deontological, and virtue-based — offer different judgments on such acts. We also confront the role of ideology, the weight of consequences, and the question of whether loyalty to the state should override personal conscience.

From secrets and double agents to the philosophy of trust and betrayal, this conversation delves into what it really means to be a “moral” spy.

Chapters:

[00:00] Introduction to Espionage

[00:30] Case Study: Kim Philby

[02:48] Case Study: Oleg Gordievsky

[05:32] Ethical Dilemmas in Espionage

[09:55] Philosophical Perspectives on Treason

[30:48] Role Morality and Consequentialism

[43:52] Virtue Ethics and the Spy's Conduct

[58:21] The Duty to Betray

[01:01:24] Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The Moral Lives of Spies | Cécile Fabre