Intelligence Squared How Philosophy Explains Our World, with Julian Baggini (Part Two)
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Dec 29, 2025 
In this enlightening conversation, philosopher Julian Baggini explores the essence of political philosophy, advocating for values over rigid labels. He examines the allure of populism and offers strategies for addressing its rise. Baggini shares insights on the importance of pragmatic politics while celebrating character and virtue. He also dives into the ethics of AI, questioning its potential as a philosopher. His advice on tempered pessimism and enhancing communication is a must-hear for anyone interested in clearer thinking during turbulent times.
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Values Trump Political Labels
- Political labels simplify complex values and policies into broad brush strokes that can mislead voters.
- Julian Baggini argues it's more useful to judge leaders by their underlying values than by an 'ism'.
Playing Football With Keir Starmer
- Julian Baggini recounts playing football with Keir Starmer and overhearing conversations about career choices in chambers.
- He uses this to claim Starmer's values are genuinely progressive despite pragmatic political choices.
Populism's Simplistic Allure
- Populism claims a single 'will of the people' and offers deceptively simple solutions to complex problems.
- Baggini warns mainstream parties often respond with poor strategies like ignoring, co-opting, or flirting with populists.
